I have Windows XP. Would I be able to send and receive faxes, and if so how
do I do it? Would I need new hardware?
I find myself dealing with this on a semi-regular basis. There are some
industries that are still using FAXes as a primary means of doing business.
Seems like āold technologyā to me, but Iām apparently not about to change my
bankās mind.
The good news is
that there are several approaches, many of which donāt require any additional
hardware ā depending, of course, on your needs and what hardware you already
have.
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Input and Output
First, we need to āinputā whatever it is you want to FAX. If you mean to FAX
existing paper documents, much like a real FAX machine, youāre probably going
to need a scanner. Iām partial to the HP multi-function devices that are
printer and scanner combined. Using your scanner you can capture images of the
pages of the documents you want to send. Typically youād save them as ā.jpgā,
ā.pngā, or ā.tifā graphics images ā they are, after all, just a āpictureā of
the document page ā or perhaps youād use a utility to assemble them into a
document such as a ā.pdfā file.
Now, if you donāt need to actually scan existing documents, say youāre
planning on FAXing documents that youāre creating on your computer, you may not
need a scanner at all. It may be quite enough to be able to save your document
from your word processor for use by the FAX software weāll talk about in a
moment.
Thereās one āgotchaā to going scannerless: signatures. Quite often the whole
point of a FAXed document is to sign it. While there are (questionable)
workarounds, it typically means signing a physical piece of paper and
then scanning that signed document in order to FAX it back.
It kind of goes without saying, but you probably also want a printer. Unless
you plan on simply keeping all your FAXes on your PC only, or you never plan to
print anything in order to sign it and FAX it back, youāll want some kind of
output device. Thatās one of the reasons I like the HP multi-function devices ā
a printer and scanner combined gets you both parts of the equation. But in many
cases youāll already have a printer, and thereās no reason not to use it.
the cost of the dedicated FAX line I used to have.ā
āAssemblingā your FAX
A FAX is nothing more than a document. So if youāre creating your document
from scratch, entirely in a Word processor, for example, then youāre done. Save
the document, and youāre ready to FAX it.
On the other hand, if youāre scanning pages into your computer, youāve got a
collection of images that you somehow need to āassembleā into a single document
to be FAXed. I typically do one of two things:
- Scan the pages individually, and then create a document in my Word Processor
in which I place them. The first page of my document might be a FAX cover
sheet, and then I place the images, one per page, as large as the margins
allow, in the rest of the document. I then save that as a single document, and
Iām good to go. Iāll frequently use this approach if I want to use my
letterhead, for example. - Scan the pages using a utility such as āScan2PDFā. Utilities such as this drive your scanning software,
collect the images that you scan, and then allow you to save the collected
images as a single ā.pdfā file. I use this approach both to save documents in
general, but when Iām about to FAX a paper document without any on-computer
modification.
Sending a FAX
There are two, basic, approaches to the final step of sending your fax.
Using your Fax Modem ā If your computer has a dial-up
modem, then itās very likely that it is FAX compatible. With FAX software,
including the FAX software that comes with Windows, you can typically just
print ātoā the FAX device, and the software will then pop up and ask you what
number or address book entry to send it to. Youāll need to be plugged into a
working phone line, and understand how to dial the number (local or
long-distance, any prefixes required and the like). But it typically ājust
worksā.
Unfortunately the FAX software that is included with Windows is less than
ideal. If youāre going to do this with any regularity, Iād recommend investing
in a full blown FAX package such as WinFAX Pro, which I used myself for many years.
Using an on-line service ā Iāve switched away from using my
own FAX modem, and am now using an on-line service from MaxEmail. To send a FAX, I log into my account, upload the
document I want to FAX, tell it where to go, and push a button. The service
does the rest. Naturally itās not free, but as weāll see in a moment itās
significantly less expensive than my prior alternative.
Receiving a FAX
Once again there are two fundamental approaches that mirror the sending
options.
Using your Fax Modem ā Using a package such as package such
as WinFAX Pro, you can receive FAXes on your PC. The ātrickā is
simply that it has to know when to answer the phone. If youāre sharing your
regular voice phone line, youāll have to manually tell the program āreceive
nowā when you get a FAX call. If youāre running a business, and you want a
dedicated FAX number, youāll need to get that extra line from your phone
company, and route it to the PC you have set up to send and receive FAXes. This
is exactly what I did for many years.
Using an on-line service ā As I mentioned, I now use a
service, in my case MaxEmail. For a
small monthly fee I have a dedicated FAX number, and when a FAX is received it
is emailed to me as a ā.pdfā file. I donāt have to worry about FAX modems,
additional phone lines ā or even being at home to receive a FAX.
The cost of the FAX service is significantly less than the cost of the
dedicated FAX line I used to have. Ultimately itās more flexible and reliable
than my prior solution, and if you do moderate amounts of FAXing, a service is
my bottom line recommendation.
Dear Leo:
Browsing your page for some time. Picked up a lot. Out of it to long. Just signed up. Appreciate your style. Easy on the cranium; but āsub-netā still fuzzy. Block diagram might help.
1) Re article, faxing via comp should be simpler nowadays (men on moon 35 yrs ago already) and, logically, at no added cost (above current). Already paying for ADSL ā which handles fax/phone + Internet, simultaneously.
Temp helping friend in Thailand. Two comps & Samsung Multi-Function on LAN & on-line. Fax OUT part only wonāt work. Wonder if to do w/ ISP ā but makes little sense. Canāt get thru to Samsung on Net. Now want try 3rd party software to fax direct from comp over ADSL.
Article mentions ādial-upā ā no ADSL. Dial-up here is, well, shall we say, no comment ā and more costly, to boot. ADSL here, in comparison, is CHEAP (low, fixed monthly rate),no time limit, SUPER FAST ā and one effectively gets 2 lines for less than the price of one.
Therefore ā is there a software solution possible via one of those, for the moment, basic, free, no-frill packages that we could try out first on our ADSL?
I use MightyFAX($20) to send from my computer. No
way to send a signature, unless I figure out a way
to save mine as a .jpg I do NOT have a FAX modem,
and maybe I was stupid to pay $20 for the software when you can buy FAX machines on sale for $30. I use
CALLWAVE for incoming faxes.I get very few anyway.
I am able to send faxes using two PC software programs. However, neither of the two programs can receive a fax. Why? Where should I look to fix the problem? I hear the incoming call get answered, but it doesnāt negotiate or hold the connection.
Thanks,
I do have a query,i want to send&receive fax,but iāve got a ADSL line,whats the software required?and do i need a modem for that?I hope you could solve my problem.
thanx.
Please read the article.
get with it Leo ā whoās still on dial-up?
More people than you think.
Iāve been using Winfax for years, but thereās no password protection with the program. Is there anything that can be done to make those files more secure?
āāBEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGEāā
Hash: SHA1
Iām not sure what it is youāre attempting to password protect?
Leo
āāBEGIN PGP SIGNATUREāā
Version: GnuPG v1.4.6 (MingW32)
iD8DBQFF/sT2CMEe9B/8oqERArnNAJ9knIeVe7lp3mbKzWiV0+Ts2JAJPACfQIo4
/KTcR7rTr5BQ14hrNJYQwuc=
=P+OF
āāEND PGP SIGNATUREāā
thank you for your help, I donāt send a lot of faxes but it would be nice to have the facility
I use a service called faxcomanywhere ā its sends faxes right from desktop. So I donāt have to buy a fax machine.
Hi,
I have word document, and I want to fax it directly from my PC. However every time I try to fax it it just starts printing on my printer.
I have tried fax wixard to fax just one line note by printing it to printer and it is doing the same thing.
I have hp 2210 all in one printer. I have no modem. Using Internet cable connection. Printer in connected to phone line on wall and USB from computer. Please help.
I configured my Windows Fax Program to send and receive but the receive option is problematic. It went well for a while, but has been refusing to receive now for the last 3 weeks. It seems the Winfax program is no longer available for purchase.
C. Varendorff
I used WinFax Pro in the nineties, then BitFax for a few years, but now I use a virtual service from aql.com
Its UK based so great if you want a UK fax number
https://www.aql.com/telecoms/site/email2fax.php
What drew me to virtual fax services was the person at the other end gets a good quality print out if you use fine mode, so its great for technical stuff, drawings etc.
So even if you have a fax machine its still worth using a virtual service as well. Try it.
HTH
Leo can I receive a fax on my fax machine and have it sent in a soft format from my fax machine to my PC. At the moment Iām using a Canon MF5770 āall in oneā and Iām networked to the machine and using it for scanning from this all in one. Likewise Iām wondering if I can photo copy to soft from this unit to my computer. Trying to move away from print outs from this machine and have the scan, copy and faxes route directly to adobe or some sort of soft file on my PC for back up etc..
Thanks,
lk
Is there an existing software you can us to enable fax in my pc? iām using vistabasic
Hi,
here is a free site that allows you to send faxes for free :
http://www.freepopfax.com
(no inscription needed)
And to receive faxes on my mailbox, I use:
http://www.popfax.com
Regards,
Nick
I am hoping for a little more specific help relative to my particular setup. I do not fax much but would like to be able.
I have a canon 830 all purpose scanner/printer/fax machine & Comcast cable internet. I no longer have landline phone so I cannot simply plug the fax machine into the phone jack anymore. I have HotSpot@Home by T Mobile instead.
I would appreciate any suggestions. Thank you.
how would i recieve faxes thru my pc from a hp 4345m mfp?
A friend gets a lot of faxes that consist of three or more sheets of paper. He has a dedicated fax phone line and a separate fax machine. He wants to be able to receive the faxes in his email or on his PC before they are printed, so he can discard cover sheets and other wasted pages. How can he route his phone āreceivedā faxes thru his PC? Thanks
I have not tried your service i hope it works
Thanks
Hi
I got Win Xp Pro, and an ADSL line, and would like send & received faxes directly on my PC,
A also have WINFAX Pro installed, Iām not sure how to configure the system to send and receive faxes.
P.S. I donāt have a Fax modem on the PC,
Thank you
18-Dec-2008
FAXAGE. Tried others, this works great for me.
Iām an Over-the-Road Truck Driver. I āLiveā in my truck and conduct almost all my business from the parking lot. As my personal & business faxing needs vary greatly (from just 2 up to 30 pages per month!)ā¦and I must remain mobile, a laptop with internet hook-up, a cheapie $40 scanner-printer combo & an internet fax service called FAXAGE and I am all set! FAXAGE is dependable. I have NEVER had one fail. They have a low monthly price & then small āper Pageā charge for when I go over the alloted number of pages.
No bull, simple to use and using them cut my fax bill byā¦(drum roll)ā¦80%. and thatās the really KEWL part!! :)
Sending fax thru email or fax from cell phone is easy. This is a thing of the past. There are many free fax providers online. I think E-fax is the best to be honest with you but if you think maxemail is better than I dont know. I have not tried them yet.
Anthony Rivituso
I am using fax D-link modem to send and receive fax for my office. It receives fax in .tif format. But often i am getting distorted fax image or some junk lines. What should i do to get clear fax?
The problem with distorted images and lines comes from the transmission of the fax, not in the receiving. And it is usually a problem with the phone lines. It seem like you are having a problem with the faxes you are receiving. Sometimes the problem can be helped by sending the faxes at a lower speed. Perhaps you can contact the sender and ask them to slow down the transmission speed when sending you a fax.
Hi. I have an wireless adsl modem with which i connect to internet. I have a second landline and a USB External V.90/ V.92 56K Fax Modem. Can i connect it as well so that i have both adsl internet and fax services?
30-Sep-2011
i learn something for your advice
how can i send fax no my friend in America he wants to sen me Fax how can i send fax no