If faxing does
not Work
If
faxing does not work from the NetModem Client computer,
try verifying your installation with something simpler
like HyperTerminal
first. If HyperTerminal is not functioning it
would indicate there may be basic problems with your
modem or dialing configuration, which needs to be solved
before attempting to use fax.
Verify
that you are using the correct manufactures modem driver
on the NetModem Client virtual COM port which matches
the physical modem on the server. Do not use a "Standard"
Windows modem driver.
Verify that the modem(s) supports Fax Class 2
, Class 2.0, or Class 2.1. Many of todays inexpensive
"Windows Modems" (also known as Software Modems)
only support fax Class 1 mode. Class 1 faxing
will not work reliably over a network connection due
to being a timing sensitive protocol. When purchasing
new modems for network modem-sharing, make sure the
model you get is not limited to fax Class 1 mode.
Also
make sure that the fax software is configured for either
Fax Class 2 or Class-2.0 mode. Modems
that support Class 2.1 will also work in Class 2.0 mode.
Unfortunately the MS-Fax included with Windows 2000,
XP, and 2003 is hardcoded to only support Class 1,
so a third party faxing application is needed, such
as Mighty
Fax, or WinFax.
We highly recommend Mighty Fax as a simple, robust and
inexpensive faxing software, which sells for under $20
USD per desktop. WinFax is another popular faxing software
(Discontinued as of November 2006). Both of these programs
allow sending faxes via a fax printer driver.
Most
Fax software (Including Mighty Fax and WinFax) default
to using Fax Class 1 fax when installed, and it must
be reconfigured for fax Class 2 or Class 2.0.
Enabling
Fax Class 2 or Class 2.0 in Mighty
Fax:
From the Mighty Fax console, click File >
Set Preferences, then click on Modem and
choose the proper Modem name from the pulldown list.
(Selecting the modem name is recommended rather then
choosing a COM port, so that TAPI is enabled). Next
click on Sending and choose either "Class
2" or "Class 2.0" depending
on which one your modem supports. For the Transfer
Rate we recommend choosing 14400, but if
your phone lines are noisy then you might need to choose
1200 or 9600. If you also plan to receive faxes
you will also need to set the fax Class for this separatetly,
by clicking on Receiving and selecting the same
settings.
Enabling
Fax Class 2 or Class 2.0 in Winfax:
From the WinFax Message Manager, click Tools
> Setup, then click on "Modem and
Communication Devices". Select the Modem name,
and click on Properties. Then select "TAPI"
as the port, and Under MODEM TYPE select "Class
2" or "Class 2.0" depending
on which one your modem supports.
We have additional information on our Using
WinFax with NetModem page.
Keep
in mind that Class 2 and Class 2.0 are NOT the same
protocol, and you must configure the fax software based
on which protocol is supported by the modem. Class
2.1 is software compatible with Class 2.0, so if the
fax modem supports Class 2.1 you can specify Class 2.0
in the software.
Another
popular faxing software for Windows was BitFax, which
came bundled with many retail modems over the years.
BitFax does not require any configuration, as it automatically
uses Class 2 or 2.0 if it detects your modem supports
it.
In
some cases, especially for digital modems, only data
calls are supported. You can verify which Fax class
your modem supports by sending it the following command
, which can be typed into a terminal program such as
Hyperterminal:
AT+FCLASS=?
Be
sure to type enter after the command to send it.The
modem reply will be in the form:
0,1,1.0,2,2.0
Where
0 is for data, 1 is for Class 1 fax, 1.0 is for Class
1.0 fax, 2 is for Class 2 fax, and 2.0 is for Class
2.0 fax. Some older data-only modems may report "OK"
or "ERROR" instead.
If you are unfamiliar with how to type in AT commands
to your terminal program, another method is to go to
the modemsharing /Server computer and from the control
panel, select "Phone and Modems" >
Modem Tab, select the modem name, and click Properties>
Diagnostics > Query Modem. This will
send several AT commands to the modem, and display the
modems response to each command. Find the command that
says "AT+FCLASS=?" and look at the
numeric results. Mighty Fax and WinFax are also able
to tell you which Classes are supported.
Yes,
NetModem does allow using a modem for receiving inbound
fax calls by a client, but this would cause the modem
to be constantly in-use by the client that is holding
the modems COM port open waiting for an incoming RING,
thereby preventing other clients from dialing out on
the modem during this time.
A
better solution would be to have the MS-Fax service
(Or other fax software such as MightyFax) accepting
inbound fax calls on the NetModem Server PC, as NetModem
Server is able to tell the fax software to release
the idle modem when a NetModem client requests it
for dialout, and after the client releases the modem
it is then returned to the fax software.
This way an office could have several computers which
might want to occasionally send a fax, but all incoming
faxes arrive on the NetModem Server PC.
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