i cant fax!!

[Guest]

i just bought a dell e521 computer with vista home premium. it works ok. im
told that it has an internal fax modem inside called dell pc fax so i bought
a dell all in one photo 926 printer with all the capabilities. my dilemma is
that i cannot use the fax. every time i try to send a fax it says failed
connection or no dial tone. i have no idea what to do. i have dsl. i dont
know what im doing wrong. i would also like to know how the faxing works.
does it go through my regular phone number?? do i have to get another
number??? please help....

 

[Cal Bear '66]

You do not have to get a dedicated phone line, but, yes faxing requires a
regular phone connection.

 

[Guest]

I think your telephone has to be connected to your dsl to your computer.

 

[Guest]

I believe you have to have your telephone connected to your dsl to your pc.
i am sure someone else can explain how the three must be connected.

 

[Cal Bear '66]

The same line that goes to your telephone must be split to go to your telephone
and your fax, do not use the DSL line that goes to your computer to connect to
the fax.

 

[Mac]

In other words connect the fax modem via a dsl filter to the telephone line.
You might need to use a socket doubler to split your telephone line...

 

[Guest]

thank you for replying. what you said was very helpful although it leaves me
more confused. the fax modem is in the computer. it is not standalone. i have
no idea how not to use the dsl line. it is all i have. could you possibly
explain it a little more. i would really appreciate it. thanx.

 

[Cal Bear '66]

I assume that you have only one telephone line coming in to your home, yes?

If so, then there is a splitter/filter that is attached to your phone line
coming into your home that filters out the frequencies used by DSL and sends
that line to your regular telephone. The other line (probably Ethernet with a
plug that looks like a telephone plug, but larger, goes to the Ethernet adapter
on your DSL modem which in turn is connected to the Ethernet adapter on your
computer and allows you to use DSL to connect to the internet for surfing and
e-mail.

The line that goes to your regular telephone must be split (via an adapter
available from Radio Shack, Best Buy, Circuit City, etc for less than $10.00),
then using a regular telephone cord, with regular telephone plugs on both ends,
you would connect to the telephone plug on your internal fax modem. Your fax
number would be the same as your regular telephone number.

If you have a dedicated DSL line AND a dedicated phone line coming into your
home, then you would split the regular telephone line to go both to your
telephone and to your fax modem.

 

[Cal Bear '66]

Sorry, I don't have DSL (I have cable), but after reading my post, I realize
that the splitter/filter, probably has two regular telephone lines coming out of
it -- one to your telephone and one to your DSL modem. Just leave the line to
your DSL modem ALONE and ONLY split the line going to your telephone.

 

[Guest]

thank you soooooo much!!! i really appreciate you helping me. i will
definitely try to work on this issue and if its ok with you i will let you
kow how it turns out. if i can fax..you will be my new best friend.

 

[Cal Bear '66]

You're welcome.

It should work for you -- just leave the line to your DSL modem alone.

Ask the sales person at Radio Shack, etc. for a telephone line splitter. You
might already have the telephone extension as they are usually supplied with
telephone modems.

Please do let us know how it works out.

And I sure could use a new best friend.

Good luck