Can a dial a phone number from my XP Laptop

[Sundar]

Hi,

Is there a way I could dial and even pick my phone calls from my laptop;
rather than to get up and pick up my phone? I am not talking about VOIP
(including skype); just a simple standard phone call, rather than a telephone
equipment.

Any help is appreciated!

 

[sandy58]

Hi,

Is there a way I could dial and even pick my phone calls from my laptop;
rather than to get up and pick up my phone? I am not talking about VOIP
(including skype); just a simple standard phone call, rather than a telephone
equipment.

Any help is appreciated!

insin
http://www.shopzilla.co.uk/8N_-_cat_id--13119__nwylf--__oid--632320021

 

[Bob Harris]

I had such a program on an old Compaq running Windows 95.

It was part of an integrated communicaitons package that worked via a modem
(low-speed 28K old-fashioned telephone modem). Note that a phone-modem and
associated phone line (wire) is going to be required for any sort of
phone-via-PC, unless you subscribe to a digital phone system (VOIP). With
the latter all you need is an internet connection, and that could be via
wireless.

I also had something similar with a Gateway running Windows 98.

Both were OEM programs, that is, they came with the PC.

Neither worked well, often froze, failed to take all messages, etc. Neither
was supported adequately by the PC manufacturer.

But, upon a warm boot they worked for a while, at least good enough that I
could place a call by typing a number on the keyboard (or mousing a picture
of a phone on the screen) and using the PCs microphone, and I could pick up
an incoming call in a similar fashion.

However, both pieces of software where very unreliable.

Thus, I finally attached the phone line to a real telephone (cheap one from
WalMart or similar discount store), and that worked infinitely better than
either software package.

 

[Big_Al]

Bob Harris Wrote:
I had such a program on an old Compaq running Windows 95.

It was part of an integrated communicaitons package that worked via a modem
(low-speed 28K old-fashioned telephone modem). Note that a phone-modem and
associated phone line (wire) is going to be required for any sort of
phone-via-PC, unless you subscribe to a digital phone system (VOIP). With
the latter all you need is an internet connection, and that could be

via wireless.


How does a program like this work with the voice? I take it the OP
wants to talk via the PC. I understand the ring and pickup phone part
fine, but not the voice. I always thought you needed a special
dialogic voice board for the D to A exchange of voice? Or at least it
does on my phone system at the office we built. 16 ports on 4 boards
if I recall. I never thought a standard 56K modem etc would do analog
voice D/A?

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Hi,

Is there a way I could dial and even pick my phone calls from my laptop;
rather than to get up and pick up my phone? I am not talking about VOIP
(including skype); just a simple standard phone call, rather than a telephone
equipment.

Sure, if you have two things:

1. a dial-up modem (many computers with DSL or cable connections no
longer have these).

2. appropriate software to do this. Windows XP doesn't come with this
capability, but there are other programs you can install that can do
it.