how do you send and recieve faxes on your computer?

[keakar]

I have a friend who has a fax machine and she would like to hook it up but she heard you need a separate phone line and phone number for it.

she also asked about the fax icon thing that shows on her computer in the printers and fax section, she asked if that was a built in fax machine? and you know, that's a great question I cant answer.

I never learned anything about that feature in windows or how it works so I come to you guys to see who knows this stuff.

1 - she would like to be able to send and receive faxes through her computer without needing a fax machine at all and just using her all in one (print/scan/copy) printer (no it doesn't say its a fax as well) and the wireless internet connection to do it. would it be as easy as just buying a 4 in 1 (printer/scanner/copier/fax) machine and plug it into your computer?

2 - if that cant be done then how about option 2 - she would like to hook up her fax machine to work "with" her computer to connect by wireless internet rather then phone line.

3 - if both of those cant be done then how about option 3 - she would like to hook up her fax machine to work "with" her computer to connect by phone without needing a second phone line and phone number.

keep in mind I do not even have the most basic knowledge of fax machines and how they function, so please tell me the most practical way to set up sending and receiving faxing ability to a wireless desktop computer

 

[jaggerwild]

She doesn't need a separate line(unless shes using it all the time), never used one with my computer. I know many places still use fax, not sure why or how even. My Cuzin uses his fax(all in one)with his computer, and he still uses the fax. Could just copy it then Email it, I guess a fax is harder to intercept then an Email? Usually the Icon appears when it has a message to send but can't send it. Fax over internet link>
https://www.google.com/search?q=fax+over+the+internet&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

How to Fax over internet
http://www.wikihow.com/Fax-over-the-Internet

 

[Frick]

She doesn't need a separate line(unless shes using it all the time), never used one with my computer. I know many places still use fax, not sure why or how even. My Cuzin uses his fax(all in one)with his computer, and he still uses the fax. Could just copy it then Email it, I guess a fax is harder to intercept then an Email? Usually the Icon appears when it has a message to send but can't send it. Fax over internet link>
https://www.google.com/search?q=fax+over+the+internet&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

How to Fax over internet
http://www.wikihow.com/Fax-over-the-Internet

In some countries they need physical papers for legal reasons. Also because they like it.

 

[95Viper]

You need a phone line, if, you use a modem/fax device, a fax machine, or a printer with fax capabilities.
This can be your only main line.
This is, usually, connected: wall outlet > modem/fax, fax printer, or fax machine > to computer (on the USB port, mostly)

Or, you can go the online fax services... which, usually cost. Some do limited type of free fax services.

 

[keakar]

ok so there is no way to eliminate the telephone line connection part of it then?

trouble is she doesn't want to lose her answering machine and if I understand how the shared line would work is the fax would pick up connection at the point where "normally" the answering machine would record messages. am I understanding that correctly?

I guess she could just plug the fax inn only when she needs to send or receive faxes so she still has a working answering machine

 

[keakar]

You need a phone line, if, you use a modem/fax device, a fax machine, or a printer with fax capabilities.
This can be your only main line.
This is, usually, connected: wall outlet > modem/fax, fax printer, or fax machine > to computer (on the USB port, mostly)

Or, you can go the online fax services... which, usually cost. Some do limited type of free fax services.

so in short, if i understand you correctly, her best solution is to just leave the pc out of it altogether, and set up the fax machine by itself to share the one phone line with her house phone?

so then what is that fax thing in windows? is that just if you are on a shared network that has a fax server or something?

 

[m4gicfour]

Something like the Brother 4-in-1 printers will do #1 for her. Still uses the phone line though. There's a bit of setup, then the multifunction printer will pick up after a configured number of rings, and detect if there's a fax tone. If not, it passes it off to the answering machine (I don't remember the exact configuration here, but the answering machine has to be plugged into the multifunction printer if my memory serves. So Wall -> MFP -> Answering Machine).

The MFP can be configured to store the fax in memory to be retrieved by the PC, or print it immediately upon receiving it. Someone like my uncle, who receives no spam faxes and barely uses his computer prefers the latter, while my dad who receives *tons* of spam faxes for some reason, and only rarely receives a real one prefers the former.

You can also use a Faxmodem card and seperate software to achieve basically the same thing but then the PC has to be on 24/7 or you'll miss the faxes

 

[95Viper]

ok so there is no way to eliminate the telephone line connection part of it then?

trouble is she doesn't want to lose her answering machine and if I understand how the shared line would work is the fax would pick up connection at the point where "normally" the answering machine would record messages. am I understanding that correctly?

I guess she could just plug the fax inn only when she needs to send or receive faxes so she still has a working answering machine

so in short, if i understand you correctly, her best solution is to just leave the pc out of it altogether, and set up the fax machine by itself to share the one phone line with her house phone?

so then what is that fax thing in windows? is that just if you are on a shared network that has a fax server or something?

Most, 99%, of the devices can be set to answer or not answer' also, you can set them to answer at a set amount of rings... some places, also, have what is called distinctive rings (you need to contact the local phone company to see if they have that service).

She could use a phone splitter to connect the devices.
In other words, there a few options.

Look at the images on this goggle search to see the multiple ways to connect.

 

[keakar]

Most, 99%, of the devices can be set to answer or not answer' also, you can set them to answer at a set amount of rings... some places, also, have what is called distinctive rings (you need to contact the local phone company to see if they have that service).

She could use a phone splitter to connect the devices.
In other words, there a few options.

Look at the images on this goggle search to see the multiple ways to connect.

thanks viper, I think i'll hook her up with splitter for now and tell her to only plug it in when she needs the fax machine.

I will leave the info on the other options if she wants to do anything more then that.

and yes, when dealing with lawyers, police, or government offices, they only want faxes (or in hand mailed paper documents) and don't accept email documents

 

[keakar]

could I use this to make the fax machine into a "wireless" http://www.ebay.com/itm/GE-INSTAJACK-WIRELESS-PHONE-JACK-SYSTEM-86597-MODEMS-SATELLITE-INTERNET/291704747896?_trksid=p2045573.c100034.m2102&_trkparms=aid=222007&algo=SIC.MBE&ao=1&asc=33890&meid=3cf89c27069c4969860279273a6f5924&pid=100034&rk=3&rkt=8&sd=231075984701

it doesn't say anything about fax machines in the details

 

[SimJett]

could I use this to make the fax machine into a "wireless" http://www.ebay.com/itm/GE-INSTAJACK-WIRELESS-PHONE-JACK-SYSTEM-86597-MODEMS-SATELLITE-INTERNET/291704747896?_trksid=p2045573.c100034.m2102&_trkparms=aid=222007&algo=SIC.MBE&ao=1&asc=33890&meid=3cf89c27069c4969860279273a6f5924&pid=100034&rk=3&rkt=8&sd=231075984701

it doesn't say anything about fax machines in the details

Ahhhh....now you're throwing a monkey into the wrench, but my Goo-Fu tells me it says it's supposed to work with fax machines. Ultimately it's all dependent on the capabilities of the fax / all in one that's being used. Double check with the telephone co. regarding faxing as well. Whether a stand alone, pc connected, or network connected, I'll include this link as to the possibilities for a hp 4620 all in one http://support.hp.com/us-en/product...ne-Printer-series/5101229/document/c03148645/