Internet Fax using Windows OS

Windows XP


Windows XP provides you with complete fax facilities from your computer. You can configure fax settings, send and receive faxes, track and monitor fax activity, and access archived faxes. Using Fax, you can choose to send and receive faxes with a local fax device attached to your computer, or with a remote fax device connected to fax resources located on a network.

Fax is not installed by default during Windows Setup.

To install the Fax component:

       ■Open Add or Remove Programs in Control Panel.

      ■Click on Add/Remove Windows Components.

      ■In the Windows Components Wizard, select the Fax Services check box

       ■follow the instructions on your screen.

Notes:

To open Fax after installation:

       ■Click Start

       ■Point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to Communications,

       ■Click Fax Console.

For more information on using Fax, click Help in Fax Console.

Additional information is available here [pdf]


Windows 2000

The following is excerpted From the Windows 2000 Help by Microsoft Corporation:

"You can fax a text document or graphic image as easily as clicking Print from an open document in a Windows-based program.

"Fax supports scanned graphic images and will automatically convert graphics to a .tif file format before you fax them. Also, you can use mail programs to send e-mail and fax messages simultaneously.

"To send and receive faxes all you need is Windows 2000 and a fax device, such as a fax modem. Your fax device must support fax capabilities and not just data standards. While some modems offer both capabilities, the two are not interchangeable. Fax supports classes 1, 2, and 2.0. For more information on modem compatibility with Fax, see the Microsoft Windows Hardware Compatibility List at the Microsoft Web site( http://www.microsoft.com/). Fax for Windows 2000 does not support shared fax printers. This means you cannot share your fax printer with other users on a network.


"When you attach a fax device, such as a fax modem, Windows 2000 detects it at startup and installs the fax service and a fax printer. If these components are not detected at startup, the Add/Remove Hardware wizard can search for and install these components.

"Although you may send and receive faxes using more than one fax device, all faxes are filtered through only one fax printer (printer port). Fax allows you to create multiple copies of the fax printer. With each copy you can define individual printing preferences such as the time to send, paper size, and orientation. You can also define customized printing preferences such as billing codes, which can be tracked in the fax event log. Use the Add a Fax Printer button in Fax in Control Panel to set up multiple fax printers.


"...[a table is provided in the help providing a brief explanation of each fax command]...If you have a fax device installed, click Start, click Programs, click Accessories, click Communications, and then click Fax to see each command.

To add a fax printer:

    ■Click Start

    ■Point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Fax.

    ■On the Advanced Options tab, click Add a Fax Printer.

Notes:

"A fax printer is automatically added to the Printers folder when you complete this procedure. To add additional fax printers, repeat the procedure.


"By creating additional fax printers you can easily customize printing preferences. You may designate different billing codes and different times to send your faxes. For example, you can have one printer for sending faxes now and another for sending faxes when discount rates apply.

"You will not likely need to reinstall the original fax printer since Windows 2000 looks for new hardware each time you start your computer.

"You can view the printers in the Printers folder by clicking Start, pointing to Settings, and then clicking Printers.

"If you are unable to add a fax printer, you may have insufficient user rights."


Windows ME

There is no fax program incorporated in the Windows ME Operating systm, but your modem may have fax capabilities. Check the modem documentation that came with your computer or your modem.



Windows 98

There is no fax program incorporated in the Windows 98 Operating systm, but your modem may have fax capabilities. Check the modem documentation that came with your computer or your modem.


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Although Windows 98 and Windows ME do not come with Fax programs built into the Operating System it is still possible to send and receive faxes. You will need a third party fax software application. Most Fax Modems come with such a program, but if they do not you will need to purchase such a program.

An Internet search on Internet fax also yields a number of alternatives which may meet your needs.

Categories: Windows XP