Windows XP and Faxing

[Kath]

I want to set up my computer for faxing with Windows XP but I am not sure
what, if anything, I need to connect to my computer to set this up. Do I
need a separate phone line that I have to connect to the back of the
computer; separate from my existing high speed modem? I have printed
instructions off the internet but I don't understand about the modem. Can
anyone help?

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Faxing has always required an analog phone line with an analog modem that
supports faxing.

 

[RobertVA]

I want to set up my computer for faxing with Windows XP but I am not sure
what, if anything, I need to connect to my computer to set this up. Do I
need a separate phone line that I have to connect to the back of the
computer; separate from my existing high speed modem? I have printed
instructions off the internet but I don't understand about the modem. Can
anyone help?

You need a combination dial-up/fax modem connected to an analog phone
line. A few years ago just about any computer on the market came with an
inexpensive version of that type of modem, but most late model computers
include Ethernet connectors and/or wireless networking adapters instead
of the dial-up/Fax modems.

Some multifunction peripherals combine document scanning, printing and
fax functions in a single external device. I've never had one and I am
uncertain about their ability to transmit a document originating in the
computer.

If you receive your wired phone service bundled with DSL, fiber or
digital cable television you might be able to connect the dial-up/fax
modem to your telephone service through the same connections you would
use for a regular telephone hand set. If you don't mind the occasional
incoming fax the dial-up/fax modem can share a line with a regular
telephone.

You might be able to locate a business on the Internet than you can send
a document to and will forward that document through their fax machine
to a fax machine of your choosing. Those businesses might even accept
incoming faxes that they will forward to your machine through the
Internet. They will probably expect payment for those services.

 

[Kath]

I guess what I am looking for is some step-by-step instructions on how to
connect everything ie/ modem, computer, etc. so I can begin faxing from my
computer.

 

[Lem]

I guess what I am looking for is some step-by-step instructions on how to
connect everything ie/ modem, computer, etc. so I can begin faxing from my
computer.

What is it that you don't understand? Most questions about Windows XP
faxing will be answered at
http://members.shaw.ca/bsanders/FAQFAX.htm#_Toc88835131 (the information
is still good, but some of the links may be outdated).

Assuming that you have (a) a regular telephone line that you can use to
make calls from a "normal" telephone and (b) a faxmodem in or connected
to your computer, the steps are:

0. Make sure your version of Windows is up-to-date. You should have
Service Pack 3 installed.

1. Install fax software. This may be software that came with a
faxmodem you bought or software that was pre-installed on your computer
by the computer manufacturer or Windows XP Fax Services. Assuming that
you want to use Windows XP Fax Services:

Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs > Add/Remove Windows Components
In the "Windows Components Wizard" that opens, check the box for Fax
Services, click Next and follow directions. See FAQ #1 at the link above.

2. Connect a phone line with appropriate plugs between the input jack
on your faxmodem and the wall outlet for your phone line. If you share
your phone line with DSL, the line from the fax, in addition to all
other telephone devices in the house, must be connected to the phone
line using filters.


--
Lem -- MS-MVP

To the moon and back with 2K words of RAM and 36K words of ROM.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer
http://history.nasa.gov/afj/compessay.htm

 

[Gerry]

Lem

I feel sure you appreciate what I am going to say, which is really for
the benefit of Cath. Sharing a telephone line works for an occasional
fax out. You can use the Microsoft Fax software for that but it is has
limited features. The problems arise with the system distinguishing
between incoming calls and incoming faxes. I use WinFax Pro, which in
its day was the leading fax software. It still works well here but it is
now very challenging to install and it needs a dedicated telephone line
to avoid conflicts between cals and faxes.

Fax software is now a past technology. Although I send and receive a lot
of faxes the day is approaching when I will change over to emailing
attachments to transmit documents to those I regularly correspond with.
You might consider buying a simple scanner as then you get round the
problem of not being able to transmit documents which have not been
created on your computer.

--


Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~