Lucent Win Modem--always a busy signal 2

[paulajune]

Greetings,

Now that I have my fax modem set up (with a little help from another forum), all I get is a busy signal, no matter who I fax. I've done it when the recipient has said their fax is clear. I've tried at night, when no one is there.

I'm thinking something is wrong with my setup. Any ideas?

Thank you,
Paula

 

[linney]

http://groups-beta.google.com/group..._doneTitle=Back+to+Search&&d#27dd5d6493c097ca

HOW TO: Troubleshoot Common Fax Problems in Microsoft Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;321639&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

HOW TO: Send a Fax in Windows XP(Q306657)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q306/6/57.asp

If you want to cheat try these people.

http://www.efax.com

 

[paulajune]

Hi Linney (or other expert),

Following the troubleshooting steps, I queried the modem. Everything returned "Success" except this:
AT#CLS=? COMMAND NOT SUPPORTED.

Would this possibly be what is causing the constant busy signal when I fax to everyone? Do you know how to correct this situation, if so?

Thank you,
Paula

 

[bcastner]

My guess is not.
The reason for the constant busy signal is the failure of a chip on the modem itself.

This chip, designed to monitor line and ring status, used to be quite complicated. Some wizards created inexpensive single chip solutions for this, and dropped subsequently the costs of modems dramaticly.

Replace the modem.

 

[paulajune]

Thank you, Bcastner.

Any suggestions on what modem, and where to get it online? I'm running Win XP. Or shall I go to my local electronics store and purchase a fax modem?

Thank you,
Paula

 

[bcastner]

If FAX was my concern I would buy a FAX machine.
XP makes a lousy substitute, even with the best third party software other than as a FAX sender.

FAX machines used to be expensive, but are not anymore. Replace the modem for sending FAXes, a replacement Lucent again should be inexpensive albeit I would prefer a non-software based modem.

And buy a real fax machine, again not expensive.

 

[paulajune]

My need is mostly for sending (so many job notices indicate they want resumes faxed instead of emailed, for some silly reason), and I was was tired of running to Kinkos every time.

I remember as long ago as '96, sending faxes from my computer with absolutely no problem (when I had a different configuration). My husband doesn't want me to get a fax machine, so I thought I'd try to make my existing fax modem work, then ran into the busy signal problem.

You are saying that Lucent would be the way to go for a replacement, if I stay with software-based modems?

Thanks again,
Paula

 

[bcastner]

They are perfectly reasonable, and on the XP HCL list for a FAX modem.

But they are made in such quantitities and sold so inexpensively that a bad one is not uncommon.

 

[paulajune]

Thanks, again! I'll try that.
Paula

 

[paulajune]

Hi bcastner (or other expert),

Now that I've made peace with the fact that I can't use my fax modem, how can I get it to stop trying to receive? Every time our regular phone rings, my computer also "rings". One of the times I picked up the phone and there was a live person there, there was also the sound of a fax machine.

Thank you,
Paula

 

[linney]

If you are no longer trying or doing any faxing perhaps removing the check mark for Fax Services in the Add or Remove (Control Panel) under Windows Components section will have some effect, but this is only a guess on my part.

 

[paulajune]

Hi Linney,

This seems to have worked!

Thank you so much,
Paula