2 fax or not 2 fax

sailor86 · 11-05-2009, 02:50 PM

I currently have an HP printer/scanner/copier combo that I am quite satisfied with. But the option of having a fax machine as well has entered my mind. Besides the obvious cost of replacing my machine, are there other intricacies I have to be aware of, such as adding a separate phone line? How exactly does that work?

IT-Tech · 11-05-2009, 07:52 PM

Hello!

It is probably better to have a separate fax line, but it is not a requirement.

Outgoing faxes are not a problem because you have control of when they go out. However, incoming faxes are where a separate phone line will come in handy. It becomes a little tough to figure out whether or not it is a fax or a phone call. Another thing to consider is whether or not you have an answering machine hooked up to your main line.

You could however setup your fax to MANUAL reception. So, you would have to know that the fax is coming in and then press a button on the fax to receive it.

Some fax printers have adaptive answering, which means it answers the call, checks to see if it is a fax or not then passes the call onward if it is not a fax.

I guess it depends on what your main needs are for the fax. What will your main usage be? Sending, receiving or both?

Just as a side note, if your computer has a fax/modem installed in it you can install Microsoft Fax onto your XP system. Of course, if you need to fax a document that was not created on a computer, you would have to use your printer/copier/scanner to scan the imagine in and send it. If you create the document on your PC you can simply PRINT it to the FAX printer.

Here is a link to Microsoft Fax for Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306550

I personally prefer having a dedicated fax line. I would say you need to figure out if the number of faxes you intend to receive per year is worth the cost factor of paying for the second phone line.

Thanks!

masterjed · 11-08-2009, 03:17 PM

Yes, IT-Tech is correct, that is called eavesdropping. You can set the Ring pattern of your fax machine. You fax will determine if it is a fax tone or a voice tone within 3 rings before it decide if it will receive the tone if it is a fax or it will letr it go to your phone unit if it is a voice tone.

11-05-2009, 02:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
sailor86 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Maryland. But I've been here around Fort Worth since 1990. Posts: 87 OS: xp sp3	2 fax or not 2 fax I currently have an HP printer/scanner/copier combo that I am quite satisfied with. But the option of having a fax machine as well has entered my mind. Besides the obvious cost of replacing my machine, are there other intricacies I have to be aware of, such as adding a separate phone line? How exactly does that work?

11-05-2009, 07:52 PM	#2 (permalink)
IT-Tech Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Indiana Posts: 221 OS: All Microsoft Operating Systems My System	Re: 2 fax or not 2 fax Hello! It is probably better to have a separate fax line, but it is not a requirement. Outgoing faxes are not a problem because you have control of when they go out. However, incoming faxes are where a separate phone line will come in handy. It becomes a little tough to figure out whether or not it is a fax or a phone call. Another thing to consider is whether or not you have an answering machine hooked up to your main line. You could however setup your fax to MANUAL reception. So, you would have to know that the fax is coming in and then press a button on the fax to receive it. Some fax printers have adaptive answering, which means it answers the call, checks to see if it is a fax or not then passes the call onward if it is not a fax. I guess it depends on what your main needs are for the fax. What will your main usage be? Sending, receiving or both? Just as a side note, if your computer has a fax/modem installed in it you can install Microsoft Fax onto your XP system. Of course, if you need to fax a document that was not created on a computer, you would have to use your printer/copier/scanner to scan the imagine in and send it. If you create the document on your PC you can simply PRINT it to the FAX printer. Here is a link to Microsoft Fax for Windows XP http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306550 I personally prefer having a dedicated fax line. I would say you need to figure out if the number of faxes you intend to receive per year is worth the cost factor of paying for the second phone line. Thanks! __________________ - I remove all threads from my subscription after 4 days if they become stagnate. If you post in a stagnate thread and still need my help, please send me a PM so I can pick it back up.

11-08-2009, 03:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
masterjed Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 312 OS: XP	Re: 2 fax or not 2 fax Yes, IT-Tech is correct, that is called eavesdropping. You can set the Ring pattern of your fax machine. You fax will determine if it is a fax tone or a voice tone within 3 rings before it decide if it will receive the tone if it is a fax or it will letr it go to your phone unit if it is a voice tone. __________________