I can't get MS Fax Console to work. I have a fax sitting in the Outbox waiting to be sent but the Status is "Fatal Errors" and indicates that it has exceeded the number of tries. It hasn't even tried to send the fax though. Microsoft claims that when one has a Broadband connection it isn't possible to use Fax Console on the same line. Why Not? I've used another computer and it's worked fine but I think it's because this relatively new computer hasn't been configured correctly. The ISP, Hewlett Packard, & Microsoft don't seem to be able/willing to help. I've updated the fax driver (the fax is a software fax on Com4) and that hasn't improved anything. I've gone through the fax and modem settings numerous times and there's still no sign of the modem attempting to dial out. When I use File, Receive fax now the modem does attempt to receive so something is working, just not what I want. I have also used the modem to connect to the internet for a dial up connection and that works so it's just the sending of faxes.

Can anyone offer any suggestions?
Thanks in advance.

Ok have you tried unplugging your Broadband and the getting the Fax software to work via modem ?

You may be confusing the system as it already has a network connection and it may be trying to fax on your BB.

Dear Curlyben,

Thanks for your reply. I have tried disconnecting the Broadband modem by connecting the PC directly to the phone line. In fact I think I've tried ever possible permutation/configuration.

I have another laptop but it has a different problem in that it doesn't recognise the scanner which I need to connect to the PC in order to scan the page that I need to fax. It also uses Fax Console & Windows XP but it will send a fax on exactly the same line. That's why I keep coming back to the HP laptop and altering the fax configuration because I firmly believe that this is where the problem lies.

Hi,
I don't have a specific answer to this issue. This link might be of help, but then again, you may have already done all this.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;Q306550&LN=EN-US

If you wish, check out the link to see if you have actually followed the suggestions and advice given. I wish I could help more, and if I find anything that will specifically fix it, I will post back.

Thanks for your help Fredg.

I've been through these configuration options numerous times now and there really isn't much that I can get from the link. Thank you for attempting to help though.

Donald

I've just noticed something which appears strange but may not be anything.
In Fax Console when I look at the failed fax that is still in the Outbox, I have noticed that there is no Device listed for the fax to be sent. Does anyone know if there should be something here? I've checked the Fax Configuation within Fax Console and the modem is definitely listed as the device to be used. Perhaps it is because it it a software fax? It's called SoftV90 Data Fax modem with SmartCP

Faxing is an ANALOG process and has to be done using a regular phone line. It will NOT work on a broadband line. You need to plug your regular fax modem (using an rj11 phone cord) into a regular phone jack, not a DSL jack.

Dear ScottGem,

Thank you for your reply to my problem. I don't know in which country you reside but maybe I should explain a little about the wiring setup of my PC as I know that terminology can be quite different between continents.

From the telephone socket on the wall I have a standard phone cable going into a surge power board. From the surge socket another phone cable goes into a D-Link DSL 10CF central filter. From the filter, one phone cable goes to the ADSL router whilst the other comes out of the filter and goes into a line splitter (or double socket adapter). The cable to the router doesn't go any further. From the splitter, one phone cable goes to the telephone and the other goes to the modem socket (not the network socket) on the PC. All plugs on these cables are either RJ11 or RJ12.

I have used this same set up to send faxes from another PC and there isn't a problem so that's why I'm having difficulty in understanding why the change in PC (both use Windows XP Service Pack 2) has made this difference.

I have had an unhelpful message from Microsoft which firstly told me to call Microsoft Australia as that is where I'm living. BUT I bought the PC in the UK so now they are saying to call Microsoft in the UK as software varies from North America and the other locations. I think they are just trying to fob me off because although the dial tone in each country may be different, surely so long as I tell Fax Console not to wait for a dial tone before dialing it should still work.

So, knowing all that, does that change any of the answers/suggestions given to-date? If I haven't understood something would someone like to put me back on track.

Thanks to all.

From the telephone socket on the wall I have a standard phone cable going into a surge power board. From the surge socket another phone cable goes into a D-Link DSL 10CF central filter. From the filter, one phone cable goes to the ADSL router whilst the other comes out of the filter and goes into a line splitter (or double socket adapter). The cable to the router doesn't go any further. From the splitter, one phone cable goes to the telephone and the other goes to the modem socket (not the network socket) on the PC. All plugs on these cables are either RJ11 or RJ12.

Is the PC modem cable comeing out of the correct side of the filter (same as the phone)?

Maybe worth trying it directly plugged into the phone socket as it could be noisey connection somewhere along the line.

Dear All,

Please don't waste any more time as I managed to fix the problem and with no help from the people purporting to know the system (Microsoft). It's late at night and I decided to go back into the "Phone/modem" as well as the "Printers & Faxes" sections of Control Panel to look through the options yet again. I reduced the maximum modem speed to 9600 and then tried to send the fax sitting in to Outbox and it went. So now I've reset the speed to 115200 and it still seems to work. Therefore I've concluded that it was something to do with matching the speed of the modem to the phone system or whatever.

Thanks to all the suggestions that were made.

Kind regards,
Donald

I know I have had similar problems using a serial (COM) port to sync my Palm PDA. Sometimes I would have to lower the speed of the port then raise it back again. That seems to be what you encountered here.

As for your wiring, your initial posts made it unclear, hence my suggestion. However I would make one change. I would use a separate run from the Telco interface box for DSL and for phone use. You can get a 2 port wall plate. Designate one for DSL and run a phone cord to the filter then to the ADSL router. If your modem has In and Out ports, run a line direct from the wall plate into the modem and plug your phone into the other port. If it doesn't then you will need th use the splitter.

Dear Scottgem,

Thanks for the wiring tip. Unfortunately the telephone plugs in many homes (ours included) in Australia don't accept RJ11/12's. The wiring is a little more complicated so I'll have to fashion something together to carry out your suggestion.

Donald