R
rb
Can the WinXP fax feature be used with DSL?
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D
Don Schmidt
I think there are Internet Services that will convert your FAX mail into a
FAX and send it via Telephone Company dial tone service.
I use Windows XP here and the way I handle my FAX application is I have a
dial tone modem on my computer and a program called Mighty FAX.
You can have DSL, FAX and phone dial tone service on the same. It takes an
auto switch to switch the line to FAX when a FAX comes in and switches to
dial tone when a phone call comes in.
The auto switch I use is a CommShare which now is offered under the name
CommSwitch
http://www.commandcommunications.com/index.php
The system has one minor drawback, for callers.
When a call comes in, the "switch" answers, internally and listens for a FAX
tone. If no tone it switches to the phone and the phone rings. If no one
answers the phone it can switch to an answering machine. So if you get a
long distance call, remember the switch answers the call, internally and if
no one answers the call the caller will be charged with a LD call.
FAX and send it via Telephone Company dial tone service.
I use Windows XP here and the way I handle my FAX application is I have a
dial tone modem on my computer and a program called Mighty FAX.
You can have DSL, FAX and phone dial tone service on the same. It takes an
auto switch to switch the line to FAX when a FAX comes in and switches to
dial tone when a phone call comes in.
The auto switch I use is a CommShare which now is offered under the name
CommSwitch
http://www.commandcommunications.com/index.php
The system has one minor drawback, for callers.
When a call comes in, the "switch" answers, internally and listens for a FAX
tone. If no tone it switches to the phone and the phone rings. If no one
answers the phone it can switch to an answering machine. So if you get a
long distance call, remember the switch answers the call, internally and if
no one answers the call the caller will be charged with a LD call.
V
Vanguard
Can the WinXP fax feature be used with DSL?
You will need a fax-capable analog modem. Either you'll need a modem
card in a slot or the mobo has a rear connector for it.
Faxing is done over telephone lines, not the Internet. There are
Internet-based services where you send them an e-mail containing your
fax data but then they have to send it over a phone line. eFax is one
of those. Actually, receiving faxes is free when using eFax. Someone
uses their faxing over the phone to eFax's fax machine which ends up as
an e-mail that gets sent to me. However, to send faxes through eFax
costs money. The $10 modem card is cheaper for sending faxes.
J
John Barnett MVP
No, you need an analogue fax modem that can dial out. Having said that, you
can subscribe to companies such a Efax who will give you a fax number that
you can add to your stationary. When people fax you Efax receive the fax and
then convert it to an email to forward on to you. If you fax someone using
the Efax service, providing the person you are faxing has a fax, the fax
will be received as normal.
--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows - Shell/User
Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org
The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..
can subscribe to companies such a Efax who will give you a fax number that
you can add to your stationary. When people fax you Efax receive the fax and
then convert it to an email to forward on to you. If you fax someone using
the Efax service, providing the person you are faxing has a fax, the fax
will be received as normal.
--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows - Shell/User
Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org
The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..
R
rb
I still don't understand. My DSL hookup uses a phone line. FAX machines
use a phone line. So, since my pc is hooked to my phone line, why wouldn't
the internal WinXP fax feature work for FAX service--as long as my pc is
online?
use a phone line. So, since my pc is hooked to my phone line, why wouldn't
the internal WinXP fax feature work for FAX service--as long as my pc is
online?
J
John Barnett MVP
The fax has to dial a fax number, right? Your DSL is using the line, so how
can it dial out when it is already connected to a server? The only possible
way it can dial out is through a dial up fax modem which allows it to use
the 'telephone' side of your DSL filter. Okay there is VOIP (voice over
internet protocol) but a Fax, as far as I know, doesn't understand this
protocol. I agree it would be a good idea, but until ISP's allow this to
happen you are stuck with a standard dial up fax modem or, as I suggested in
my original post, companies such as Efax.
--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows - Shell/User
Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org
The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..
can it dial out when it is already connected to a server? The only possible
way it can dial out is through a dial up fax modem which allows it to use
the 'telephone' side of your DSL filter. Okay there is VOIP (voice over
internet protocol) but a Fax, as far as I know, doesn't understand this
protocol. I agree it would be a good idea, but until ISP's allow this to
happen you are stuck with a standard dial up fax modem or, as I suggested in
my original post, companies such as Efax.
--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows - Shell/User
Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org
The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..
K
Ken Blake, MVP
I still don't understand. My DSL hookup uses a phone line. FAX machines
use a phone line. So, since my pc is hooked to my phone line, why wouldn't
the internal WinXP fax feature work for FAX service--as long as my pc is
online?
Although DSL uses a phone line, it is one that is permanently
connected to the internet, not to the dial-up network. You can't use
it (at least not the DSL portion of the line, which is what is
connected to your computer) to dial a telephone number. To make a fax
call, you have to dial the telephone number of the recipient's fax
machine, just as you have to dial your brother's telephone number to
make a voice call to your brother.
U
Unknown
They are the same lines. DSL uses the same lines as FAX and or normal phone
calls. Inaccurate to say they do not connect to the dial-up network.
calls. Inaccurate to say they do not connect to the dial-up network.
V
Vanguard
I still don't understand. My DSL hookup uses a phone line. FAX
machines use a phone line. So, since my pc is hooked to my phone
line, why wouldn't the internal WinXP fax feature work for FAX
service--as long as my pc is online?
DSL uses one band (frequency range) on your phone line. Your voice
phone service uses a much lower band. That way, multiple bands can
coexist over the same twisted pair and be used independently of each
other. Never used DSL but, as I've read, the DSL installer needs to
install a splitter. The old phone line goes to the phones and the split
line goes to the DSL modem. Alternatively for self-installations, you
are supposed to get filters that you add at every phone to keep it from
interferring with the DSL function. I don't know your physical DSL
setup.
Faxing uses phone lines (the voice band). You will need a fax-capable
modem to do outbound faxing. Inbound faxing can be done using eFax's
free fax-to-email service or you will need to leave the fax software
running constantly on your host to receive inbound calls or manually run
it when you are expecting a fax. When you are sending (or receiving)
faxes using your [voice] phone line then you can't use your phones for
regular conversations.
Regardless of how you argue, you will need to get a fax-capable modem.
Or you will have to pay someone for their online fax service (although
you can receive for free, sending will cost you money). There is
TPC.int which is a group of users running fax servers to where you can
send e-mails to have them use their voice phone line to send out your
fax, but TPC.int is a volunteer group, they may not have a toll-free
number or a local number in your area to avoid long-distance charges,
and they are not reliable. Plus, I think, they are only usable for
sending faxes so you still need a solution for getting them.
If you can't afford the one-time cost of $10 for a fax modem, you cannot
afford the computer you are using.
R
rb
}}} If you can't afford the one-time cost of $10 for a fax modem, you
cannot
afford the computer you are using. {{{
Assume I've got the fax modem you mention. Does it need a separate phone
line?
}}} Although DSL uses a phone line, it is one that is permanently
connected to the internet, not to the dial-up network. You can't use
it (at least not the DSL portion of the line, which is what is
connected to your computer) to dial a telephone number. {{{
I think this answers the phone line question and says the fax modem needs to
connect to a non-DSL line.
cannot
afford the computer you are using. {{{
Assume I've got the fax modem you mention. Does it need a separate phone
line?
}}} Although DSL uses a phone line, it is one that is permanently
connected to the internet, not to the dial-up network. You can't use
it (at least not the DSL portion of the line, which is what is
connected to your computer) to dial a telephone number. {{{
I think this answers the phone line question and says the fax modem needs to
connect to a non-DSL line.
K
Ken Blake, MVP
They are the same lines. DSL uses the same lines as FAX and or normal phone
calls.
The same physical lines, but *only* if DSL service is installed on
them. Without that qualification it's inaccurate to say that it's the
same lines.
Inaccurate to say they do not connect to the dial-up network.
No, it's not. That's precisely why I qualified my statement to say "at
least not the DSL portion of the line, which is what is connected to
your computer."
V
Vanguard
}}} If you can't afford the one-time cost of $10 for a fax modem, you
cannot
afford the computer you are using. {{{
Assume I've got the fax modem you mention. Does it need a separate
phone line?
Nope. Just use the same phone line that goes to your telephone. If the
nearest wall jack only has one socket that goes to your telephone, get a
splitter to connect your telephone and the TEL jack on your modem to the
same wall jack.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/i...052.2032075.2032077.2032088&parentPage=family
Plug into the telephone near the computer and use a short cord from it
to the TEL jack of the modem. Or plug it into the wall jack and run
separate long cords to your telephone and the TEL jack of your modem.
}}} Although DSL uses a phone line, it is one that is permanently
connected to the internet, not to the dial-up network. You can't use
it (at least not the DSL portion of the line, which is what is
connected to your computer) to dial a telephone number. {{{
I think this answers the phone line question and says the fax modem
needs to connect to a non-DSL line.
The analog fax modem acts just like a telephone, so you can plug it into
the same jacks into which you plug your telephone. The filter/splitter
that separates the voice and DSL bands is either at the entry point to
your house or a separate filter is installed at each endpoint device
(telephone, fax machine, fax modem, burglar alarm, whatever).
You don't need a 2nd telephone line to use fax modems/machines on the
same twisted pair as your DSL service. However, if you want to do voice
communications over the phone line while you are sending or you want to
leave the fax in constant receive mode to pickup any incoming fax calls,
yes, then you need a 2nd voice line (which could be the POTS service or
could even be VoIP over your DSL broadband connection provided you have
decent upload speed).
P
Phil Weldon
'rb' wrote, in part:
| I think this answers the phone line question and says the fax modem needs
to
| connect to a non-DSL line.
No, the fax/modem does NOT have to connect to a non DSL line. There must
however, be a low pass filter between the DSL service and any phone, fax, or
fax/modem. Most existing structures to which DSL service is added use a low
pass filter at each phone jack EXCEPT for the jack to which the DSL modem
connects. SOME DSL installations use a low pass filter at the telephone
system point-of-presence (the location in the structure where the external
telephone network hands the signal over to the internal wiring) and run a
new telephone twisted pair cable to a jack for the exclusive use of the DSL
modem. This after construction additional wiring is more expensive and less
flexible, and so is rarely used. A new structure wired for DSL from the
start could have multiple twisted pairs connected to each phone jack and one
of those twisted pairs would be for DSL only. The additional wiring is more
expensive and less flexible, and so is rarely used.
Example:
You have DSL service.
It is not a 'Bare DSL' service (the line has a telephone number associated,
and is connected to the phone network.)
You have one phone jack in the wall at your computer/DSL modem location.
You add a fax/modem to your computer.
You plug a one into two splitter in the wall jack.
You plug a low pass filter (Z-Blocker/DSL Filter) into one of the splitter
outputs, then connect from the output of the low pass filter to the
fax/modem IN jack. The low pass filter blocks the DSL signal to eliminate
interference with the operation of a phone or fax.
You connect the other splitter output into the DSL modem.
Your computer continues to connect to your ISP via DSL.
The fax/modem will allow the computer to act as a fax AND, if you wish,
allow dial-up ISP connectivity (if, say, DSL connectivity is lost.)
If you already have a phone at the computer/DSL modem location, then you
might want to use either a second splitter (only one low pass filter is
needed) or connect the phone to the fax/modem OUT jack. Be aware that you
can not use any phone on the same line (any phone with the same telephone
number) while the fax/modem is in use, and that you should set up the fax
modem options that handle things like call waiting.
Phil Weldon
| }}} If you can't afford the one-time cost of $10 for a fax modem, you
| cannot
| afford the computer you are using. {{{
|
|
| Assume I've got the fax modem you mention. Does it need a separate phone
| line?
|
| }}} Although DSL uses a phone line, it is one that is permanently
| connected to the internet, not to the dial-up network. You can't use
| it (at least not the DSL portion of the line, which is what is
| connected to your computer) to dial a telephone number. {{{
|
| I think this answers the phone line question and says the fax modem needs
to
| connect to a non-DSL line.
|
|
| I think this answers the phone line question and says the fax modem needs
to
| connect to a non-DSL line.
No, the fax/modem does NOT have to connect to a non DSL line. There must
however, be a low pass filter between the DSL service and any phone, fax, or
fax/modem. Most existing structures to which DSL service is added use a low
pass filter at each phone jack EXCEPT for the jack to which the DSL modem
connects. SOME DSL installations use a low pass filter at the telephone
system point-of-presence (the location in the structure where the external
telephone network hands the signal over to the internal wiring) and run a
new telephone twisted pair cable to a jack for the exclusive use of the DSL
modem. This after construction additional wiring is more expensive and less
flexible, and so is rarely used. A new structure wired for DSL from the
start could have multiple twisted pairs connected to each phone jack and one
of those twisted pairs would be for DSL only. The additional wiring is more
expensive and less flexible, and so is rarely used.
Example:
You have DSL service.
It is not a 'Bare DSL' service (the line has a telephone number associated,
and is connected to the phone network.)
You have one phone jack in the wall at your computer/DSL modem location.
You add a fax/modem to your computer.
You plug a one into two splitter in the wall jack.
You plug a low pass filter (Z-Blocker/DSL Filter) into one of the splitter
outputs, then connect from the output of the low pass filter to the
fax/modem IN jack. The low pass filter blocks the DSL signal to eliminate
interference with the operation of a phone or fax.
You connect the other splitter output into the DSL modem.
Your computer continues to connect to your ISP via DSL.
The fax/modem will allow the computer to act as a fax AND, if you wish,
allow dial-up ISP connectivity (if, say, DSL connectivity is lost.)
If you already have a phone at the computer/DSL modem location, then you
might want to use either a second splitter (only one low pass filter is
needed) or connect the phone to the fax/modem OUT jack. Be aware that you
can not use any phone on the same line (any phone with the same telephone
number) while the fax/modem is in use, and that you should set up the fax
modem options that handle things like call waiting.
Phil Weldon
| }}} If you can't afford the one-time cost of $10 for a fax modem, you
| cannot
| afford the computer you are using. {{{
|
|
| Assume I've got the fax modem you mention. Does it need a separate phone
| line?
|
| }}} Although DSL uses a phone line, it is one that is permanently
| connected to the internet, not to the dial-up network. You can't use
| it (at least not the DSL portion of the line, which is what is
| connected to your computer) to dial a telephone number. {{{
|
| I think this answers the phone line question and says the fax modem needs
to
| connect to a non-DSL line.
|
|
K
Ken Blake, MVP
}}} If you can't afford the one-time cost of $10 for a fax modem, you
cannot
afford the computer you are using. {{{
I agree.
Assume I've got the fax modem you mention. Does it need a separate phone
line?
No. See below.
}}} Although DSL uses a phone line, it is one that is permanently
connected to the internet, not to the dial-up network. You can't use
it (at least not the DSL portion of the line, which is what is
connected to your computer) to dial a telephone number. {{{
I think this answers the phone line question and says the fax modem needs to
connect to a non-DSL line.
No, not true. What most of call a DSL "line" is not really a separate
line at all. It's a service applied to a regular telephone line.
That DSL "line" can be (and usually is) split into its two
components--the DSL portion which connects to the internet--and the
voice-grade portion which connects to regular voice telephones, fax
machines, modems (not *DSL* modems, but regular fax or voice-grade
modems). That splitting is accomplished by using a special filter on
the voice-grade portion of the line.
When I said the DSL line can not send faxes, I tried to make it clear
that I was talking about the DSL portion of the line--the part
connected to the internet--not the filtered voice portion that *can*
connect to a fax modem (if you have one).
U
Unknown
Completely immaterial whether or not DSL is installed. They are still the
SAME physical lines. The lines simply are not called DSL if it is not
installed.
SAME physical lines. The lines simply are not called DSL if it is not
installed.
Ken Blake said:They are the same lines. DSL uses the same lines as FAX and or normal
phone
calls.
The same physical lines, but *only* if DSL service is installed on
them. Without that qualification it's inaccurate to say that it's the
same lines.
Inaccurate to say they do not connect to the dial-up network.
No, it's not. That's precisely why I qualified my statement to say "at
least not the DSL portion of the line, which is what is connected to
your computer."
C
Clara
A reply stated that receiving faxes from efax is free. It is not free. For a price, they allow you to receive a certain number of faxes per month. Currently, it's 200 for 19.95 and .10 for each page after that. Sending is also not free. They charge .10 per page.
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D
Don Schmidt
For $20 you could get a FAX modem and do your own FAXing for toll charges at
the most.
BTW, an excellent FAX program is Mighty FAX
http://www.rkssoftware.com/mightyfax/overview.html
the most.
BTW, an excellent FAX program is Mighty FAX
http://www.rkssoftware.com/mightyfax/overview.html
K
Ken Blake, MVP
On Mon, 30 Jul 2007 10:02:29 -0700, "Don Schmidt" <Don
For $20, you can also get a stand-alone fax modem on sale. That's what
I did, and I think it's considerably more convenient than using the
computer.
On a side note, I think fax is a technology that should have
disappeared several years ago. E-mail with attachments is much more
convenient. The only reason I have my $20 fax machine is that every
once in a while, I need to deal with someone who requires that I use
it. I even once had to get a document to someone at Microsoft, and
that particular department required that I fax it, rather than E-mail
it.
For $20 you could get a FAX modem and do your own FAXing for toll charges at
the most.
For $20, you can also get a stand-alone fax modem on sale. That's what
I did, and I think it's considerably more convenient than using the
computer.
On a side note, I think fax is a technology that should have
disappeared several years ago. E-mail with attachments is much more
convenient. The only reason I have my $20 fax machine is that every
once in a while, I need to deal with someone who requires that I use
it. I even once had to get a document to someone at Microsoft, and
that particular department required that I fax it, rather than E-mail
it.
D
Don Schmidt
I have more room on my desk. <G>
don
don
Ken Blake said:On Mon, 30 Jul 2007 10:02:29 -0700, "Don Schmidt" <Don
For $20, you can also get a stand-alone fax modem on sale. That's what
I did, and I think it's considerably more convenient than using the
computer.
On a side note, I think fax is a technology that should have
disappeared several years ago. E-mail with attachments is much more
convenient. The only reason I have my $20 fax machine is that every
once in a while, I need to deal with someone who requires that I use
it. I even once had to get a document to someone at Microsoft, and
that particular department required that I fax it, rather than E-mail
it.
K
Ken Blake, MVP
On Mon, 30 Jul 2007 11:30:12 -0700, "Don Schmidt" <Don
I have *no* room on my desk. My fax machine is another room. ;-)
But you're right. One of the advantages of computer faxing is that you
don't have to find room for another device.
Ken
I have more room on my desk. <G>
I have *no* room on my desk. My fax machine is another room. ;-)
But you're right. One of the advantages of computer faxing is that you
don't have to find room for another device.
Ken