Faxing from pc

cormie

Hi,
Is it possible to send a fax to a fax machine through the pc? Does it need to be connected to dial up or can broadband do it? I'm using windows XP pro SP2 installed and I'm wireless with UTV internet.

Any help appreciated, thanks!

pollyantic

as far as i know you need a fax modem and a landline (although there are probably services where you email you fax to them and they fax it for you for an outrageous charge).

I use mightyfax with my fax modem, but winfax comes with windows and can also be used

Khannie

pollyantic wrote:

as far as i know you need a fax modem and a landline (although there are probably services where you email you fax to them and they fax it for you for an outrageous charge).

You are correct on both counts

You need a fax modem and a landline unless you want to use an online service (which google should help you find). You could get a fax modem for next to nothing on ebay, or check the for sale forums.

cormie

Hi,
well I have these on the laptop:

-modems:
----Actiontec MDC AC'97 Modem v2132D
----Xircom Modem 56-GlobalAccess

-Network Adapters
---1394 Net Adapter
---Intel(r) pro/wireless 2200BG Networdk Connection
---Realtek RTL8139 Family PCI Fast Ethernet NIC

Doesn't say anything about Fax there.. are all modems not fax modems these days though?

cormie

Just checked the old pc downstairs, it has an Aztech Fax modem:)

So now what do I do? that is currently connected to the wirless router through ethernet, will I still need to connect the landline to it so (suppose so since the ethernet isn't the fax modem :rolleyes: )that has WXP Pro too so what device do I use and is it complicated? I think I recall trying it before but it never went through. Is there a certain number I need to dial or do I just dial the fax number? thanks

Blub2k4

It works just like a normal fax once it is working. You enter the number and dial out, the fax gets sent.

Tom Dunne

If you take a step back and think what sending a fax entails - two fax machines, one landline and the correct mechanisms (protocols and the like). So yes, you do need a telephone line, but not necessarily a landline. I have sent faxes with my laptop and O2 mobile.

The software comes with Windows, but I am damned if I can find it! I used the work laptop, so I know for sure it wasn't any extra software. Try opening Wordpad and print something to a fax device - it may let you "print" to a fax number. On that, the number has to be the fax number - how else will the fax get there

Capt'n Midnight

tom dunne wrote:

The software comes with Windows, but I am damned if I can find it!

It's availability location and file format varied quite a lot on the different versions of windows. - Which version of windows do you have.

eg: 95/98 see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q237800/

XP - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/learnmore/crawford_02october21.mspx

cormie

I'll give that a go, thanks!

lomb

or use efax, u can get a FREE uk fax number or us fax number, people can then fax this, they are charged as a normal international call to the uk or usa, and u dont need a pc plugged into the fone line constantlty to answer a fax. they just email it to u. u can also send faxes easily by scanning them in then again using efax but they charge a little for this service.

cormie

thanks but it seems you have to subscribe and pay for the proper service (ie not to recieve junk mail and probably send more than 1 or 2 {whatever you get for free} faxes) I'll check out the modem option on my old pc:)
thanks!

the Guru

you can from outlook [email]faxnumber@ fax.ie[/email] i.e [email]011234567@ fax.ie[/email]

cormie

thanks, is there a charge? must it be from outlook? why?

the Guru

no from your email client and no there is no charge

Tom Dunne

the Guru wrote:

you can from outlook faxnumber@ fax.ie i.e 011234567@ fax.ie

Are you sure that's not just an add-in you have?

I would be surprised if it came as standard.

edmund_f

sure there is an easier way..


the way that i do it, if you have a pc install a new printer, install it as a 'fax' (check your help file, usually pretty clear on how to do this, have your xp disc handy). if you go to you 'printers' folder it may already be there, a lot of time when you install a fax/modem it installes the fax autmatically


once that is done open the application with the item you wish to fax, word/excel/paint/outlook whatever, then go file -> print, select the 'fax' you just installed from the drop down menu and click print.. it will come up with a simple wizard to guide you through the send procedure.

This is just how i do it, there are a myriad of applications available for a cost and for free, but basically this is all they do

this only works for outgoing faxes, if you wish to use it for incoming you have to leave your pc on all the time and your pc will start answering the phone for you. at that stage it may be easier just to buy a cheap fax machine??

don't know if this helps or confuses... as with all pc issues there are about 5 correct solutions, trick is to pick the one that works for you.


ed

cormie

Hi, I tried that but it says the number is busy and I don't think its working, it says if you were faxing bray, from bray (01 area code) and the number was say 286xxxx, so it would be ireland, 01, 286, xxxx, what way should I do it?
thanks!

Tom Dunne

Think about it - if you were in Bray, with just a fax machine - what would you use? You would not use the Ireland code, nor would you use the Dublin code. So you should only be using the Bray number.

cormie

but it says on the link to the microsoft guide that you have to use the full number?!?!?!?