Can't send faxes

Question

Level 1

0 points

Can't send faxes

Hallo!
Hope somebody can help me with this, I still feel quite unfamiliar with Mac OS X.
The problem is I cannot send faxes, trying to use the internal modem of my PowerMac G4, running OS 10.4.11. Following the instructions, I choose Print from the menu Archive and then I choose "Fax as PDF". A new dialog box is shown in which I enter the fax number of the recipient, and then I click Fax. The dialog box disappears, but nothing more happens.
In the window Internal modem, which I access through the window Fax list, it says "dialing" and then (after an unnormally long time) "connected", though I have indeed not heard the modem dial. The fax is added to the list of "ready" faxes, although nothing has actually been sent.
How mysterious may a Mac get? I feel this is not as it should be.
Very sincerely
Frisbo Tom

PS. I have installed software for an HP printer, may this have something to do with it?

G4 Gigabit Ethernet, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Apr 17, 2008 4:57 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Frisbo Tom Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 17, 2008 5:46 AM in response to Frisbo Tom

Sorry, I'm beginning to think that I've been fooled by the fact that no sound was heard from the modem. Probably the faxing is OK.

Reply

Answer 2

BDAqua

Level 10

250,259 points

Apr 17, 2008 6:31 AM in response to Frisbo Tom

🙂

Reply

Answer 3

gfclef

Level 1

81 points

Apr 25, 2008 11:31 AM in response to Frisbo Tom

It would be sooo nice if we could use this feature!
I don't know of anyone who uses this. I have been trying to use it since yesterday. I wonder if it works through a direct connect to the phone line and not through the DSL modem, if so, how archaic! There was an application that was included in my G4 Applications file named- FAXstfX. Perhaps they included it because they knew that theirs didn't work!!! - but it cost $50.00. Can anyone help us with this?

PS. I am using an Epson Stylus CX5000, and CX7800

Reply

Answer 4

BDAqua

Level 10

250,259 points

Apr 25, 2008 2:33 PM in response to gfclef

Hi, you really should start your own New Topic to get the most helpers looking at it... most aren't looking in Solved Topics for people needing help! 🙂

I wonder if it works through a direct connect to the phone line and not through the DSL modem, if so, how archaic!

LOL, you are correct... FAX is an archaic process that should have died 20 years ago, I personally refuse to deal with anybody that can only FAX something, or requires a FAX for anything.

Why would/how could... FAX use DSL modem when the very fastest it can communicate is 33.8Kb/s, and usually defaults to 2.4Kb/s after all these years!?

That said, there are online FAX services that allow you to send/recv a document as a FAX through them.

Reply

Answer 5

Bobbbo

Level 3

530 points

Apr 25, 2008 4:27 PM in response to BDAqua

I have been using the FAX feature built into the Mac OS for years it works great. There are still lots of organization that require faxes. Plus signed faxes are legal in court. The thing I really like about the feature, is you do not print the faxes unless you want to like a typical fax machine does.

Reply

Answer 6

BDAqua

Level 10

250,259 points

Apr 25, 2008 4:46 PM in response to Bobbbo

I used Fax Send one time in OSX years ago, thought for sure it went, two weeks later I find it didn't send and there was no trace of it, or it's history in OSX... was out of critical supplies for 2 weeks, lost several customers.

If I really need to FAX, I have OS9, OS7.5.5, and better yet, my Ataris, can't beat STfax. 🙂

Reply

Answer 7

Bobbbo

Level 3

530 points

Apr 25, 2008 4:55 PM in response to BDAqua

There is a record of what was faxed in the System Preferences under Print & Fax/Faxing / Setup Fac Modem / double click on the FAX modem and select completed and all your history is there.

Reply

Answer 8

Clea Rees

Level 4

1,245 points

Apr 25, 2008 7:12 PM in response to Frisbo Tom

I could get it to work in the States, but not in the UK. Even in the States, it often doesn't realise something has been faxed so either the system or the user (well, me) keeps retrying and the recipient gets multiple copies while the sender thinks none have gone.

- cfr

Reply

Answer 9

gfclef

Level 1

81 points

Apr 26, 2008 9:19 AM in response to Frisbo Tom

Hey Frisbo Tom,
I've been on another discussion group about this and I found out that the process of Faxing is Analog. Most of us are using DSL(Digital). You cannot Fax using Digital. With Macs set-up you're fooled into thinking that all you have to do is set-up your printer properly and you'll be good to go!
If you have an Internal Modem all you will need is a phone cord from that to the phone outlet directly, not into the DSL unless you have an additional filter to allow analog.
Yes, Faxing is almost obsolete, but there are a few times when you need it.

Reply

Answer 10

Bobbbo

Level 3

530 points

Apr 26, 2008 12:19 PM in response to gfclef

If you have a newer Mac you will need to buy a USB external modem. Apple sells them for about $50.

I do not think Faxing is even close to obsolete. Many businesses barely even use email yet, so faxing is their life line. The legal business is one that is still very dependent on Fax.

Reply

Answer 11

Clea Rees

Level 4

1,245 points

Apr 26, 2008 4:49 PM in response to Frisbo Tom

Any thoughts on how to get it working in the U.K.? According to Apple, the internal modem doesn't need any sort of adaptor. At least, it turns out to need something but computers sold here need the same something. I just can't figure out why it would work in the States and not here. (Given, of course, that I changed the phone information appropriately.)

- cfr

Reply

Answer 12

BDAqua

Level 10

250,259 points

Apr 26, 2008 5:29 PM in response to Clea Rees

Are you aware different countries require different Modems?

http://www.cites.uiuc.edu/dialup/callingcardtrouble.html

I know a US Modem won't work in some EU countries.

Get a parallel phone line and see/listen if it's dialing/negotiating/connecting?

Reply

Answer 13

Clea Rees

Level 4

1,245 points

Apr 27, 2008 5:16 AM in response to BDAqua

Thanks. I know there are differences and that's why I asked the Apple Store people about it, but it is possible they were mistaken in what they told me. On the other hand, I couldn't get it to work with my parents' computer either and that was bought in the UK where one would hope Apple would ship computers with modems suitable for local use. So I'm thinking I must be doing something wrong regardless.

- cfr

Reply

Answer 14

BDAqua

Level 10

250,259 points

Apr 27, 2008 11:00 AM in response to Clea Rees

Also, could it be Digital Line(s) you were trying Analog Modem on?

Reply

Answer 15

Bobbbo

Level 3

530 points

Apr 27, 2008 11:02 AM in response to Clea Rees

Apple has already gotten rid of the internal modem for their comupter, so I would doubt that they would make an internal change on what they ship to the UK. I would check again with Apple as you internal modem will probably only work in the USA. You may want to check with a local computer store and see if anyone offers a USB UK Modem. My newer Mac Pro has an external USB modem and it works great.

Reply