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Level 1

17 points

Waiting for modem to become available

I recently set up my MacPro and have been unable to fax from it using my new Apple USB Modem. The modem plugged in to my MacBook with the same phone line faxes immediately. I am not using the modem for any network functions.

After I go to Print, and then Fax PDF... the fax queue says "Waiting for modem to become available". The Print & Fax preferences show "in use". The fax status in the menu says "idle". It does not dial, it just hangs there.

I've reset the printing system, deleted modem preferences, repaired permissions, tried from a second (blank) user account, rebooted multiple times, and spend an hour on the phone with Apple without managing a single fax.

Unplugging the modem while it's stuck results in the modem pausing. Plugging it back in it stays paused, until I click Resume Fax, where it goes to "Preparing to send the fax document". Clicking Pause Fax after that changes it back to "Waiting for modem to become available", and the menu status changes to "Hanging up..." where it hangs for several minutes, and then changes to "Idle" again.

Any assistance or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

MacPro, Mac OS X (10.5.6), Apple USB Modem

Posted on Apr 9, 2009 9:05 PM

42 replies

rr hawks

Level 1

90 points

Jun 15, 2009 12:43 AM in response to Trent Harris

Sadly nothing works for me. Turning off receiving of faxes; restarts; fiddling around with the USB modem; trying faxcenter ~ none of these things enable me to fax again.

Jul 3, 2009 2:15 AM in response to Trent Harris

hello. I'm French so excuse my language :/

I had the same problem, and I just put my modem on the USB of my macbook instead of the USB HUB. I can send faxes now. BUT I must not activate the "fax reception" or I can't send Faxes. I need unplug and plug the modem too for send faxes...

I hope an update will come soon to solve this problem...

NB : If someone find a solution, thanks to send me a answer to my mail adress.

thanks a lot

larryd517

Level 2

191 points

Jul 28, 2009 2:31 PM in response to John Scott6

My computer's preferences (to receive faxes), by default was unchecked, yet I still can't send. Any other workarounds?
I am usually very up to date on OS X updates, this thread is from May, yet I, somehow, sent a fax in June, so I am not sure why I can't send one now (having the same issue as the first post)
Thanks!

Jul 30, 2009 2:26 PM in response to larryd517

Wow, this is a real pain in the ***, ain't it?

I uncheck "receive faxes..." then unplugged/replugged my modem from the USB port, that seemed to loosen it up.

I guess this won't get fixed before Snow Leopard comes out, will it...?

Jul 30, 2009 10:40 PM in response to Jeff Mark

I note that one of my nouns above was apparently on the "bad words" list. Apologies all around.

larryd517

Level 2

191 points

Jul 31, 2009 1:19 AM in response to Jeff Mark

my laptop is connected directly to the phone line, no USB modem

i rebooted a few times, to no avail

it used to 'just work' not it doesn't 'just work'

Jul 31, 2009 11:55 AM in response to AROBAZ INFORMATIQUE

AROBAZ INFORMATIQUE wrote:
I just put my modem on the USB of my macbook instead of the USB HUB.

That's a somewhat different issue. It's been my experience that for faxes to be received, the Apple USB modem (others as well) needs to be plugged directly into a USB port. For some reason, going through a hub (powered or not) interferes with fax receiving, although sending is OK. This is a different issue than the one being discussed on this thread.

Aug 3, 2009 8:48 PM in response to DrBone

I have the same problem with OS 10.5.7 and managed to send a Fax - but it's very messy!!!!
In System Preferences - Print & Fax - in "Receive Options" un-tick "Receive faxes on this computer"
Then unplug the USB cable to the modem for a few seconds and then re-plug. {This is the EXTRA bit!! - If I don't un-plug and re-plug the Fax will not send but hangs and hangs!!}
I can then send the Fax as normal through the Print menu.
BUT!!! - The Fax is not automatically deleted from the Fax Queue and will continue to send every five minutes or so until the fax is deleted from the Fax Queue.
You can then go back to - System Preferences - Print & Fax - and in "Receive Options" re-tick "Receive faxes on this computer".
The computer then receives incoming fax
BUT if I want to send another fax I must repeat the process.
VERY TEDIOUS - but it worked for me.

By the way if you have an iPhone you can email the Fax {in the "Receive Options" to iPhone - which is a neat way of receiving documents from someone who does not have immediate access to email but can send a Fax!!

Have a great day!!!

larryd517

Level 2

191 points

Aug 4, 2009 12:59 AM in response to Johnnyultimo

thanks!
i use a MacBook and I simply plug the phone line into the laptop, so there is no modem to plug or unplug.
in addition, i am aware of the 'uncheck receive incoming faxes' workaround, but it didn't help as this box was always unchecked.

2manyg

Level 1

0 points

Aug 4, 2009 8:22 AM in response to Johnnyultimo

Thanks a lot guys, this work around worked a treat! I receive far more faxes than I send so this will do me fine until Apple fix it!

Aug 6, 2009 12:54 AM in response to 2manyg

Well, sadly, it appears that this issue has not been fixed with 10.5.8, released earlier today. The above workaround appears to continue to, um, work around it...

larryd517

Level 2

191 points

Aug 6, 2009 4:03 AM in response to Jeff Mark

The workaround still doesn't work for me 😟

Aug 7, 2009 1:09 PM in response to bmwtwisty

Thanks for the work around! It is very appreciated! You Rock!

Aug 19, 2009 2:16 PM in response to Trent Harris

I've got the same problem with the apple modem, disabling receive faxes enable you to use the modem.

Hope apple is going to fix the bug!

Regards

Marco

Aug 19, 2009 2:17 PM in response to Trent Harris

I've got the same problem with the apple modem, disabling receive faxes enable you to use the modem.

Hope apple is going to fix the bug!

Regards

Marco

Waiting for modem to become available