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. Avoid using a "Standard"
Windows modem driver, as not all modems use the same set of AT commands.. Detailed information on installing
a modem driver can be found in Chapter
7 of the NetModem User's Guide.
- Verify
that the modem(s) supports Fax Class 2 , Class
2.0, or Class 2.1. Many of todays inexpensive "Software modems" (also known as
Softmodems) only support Fax Class 1 which will not
always work reliably over a network connection due to
it being a software driven protocol using the local computer's CPU to perform session management. Class 2 and 2.x use hardware based session management from within the fax-modem itself, so they are not effected by network latency. When purchasing new
fax-modems for network modem-sharing, choose a model which supports Fax Class 2 or 2.x.
- Verify that your fax software is configured to use Fax Class 2 or Class 2.0.
How to confirm which Fax Classes your installed modem supports:
- Type "device manager" in the Start Search box, and then click Device Manager in the Programs list.
- Expand Modems, right-click the modem that you use, and then click Properties.
- On the Diagnostics tab, click Query Modem.
- In the Command column, locate AT+FCLASS=?, and then note the value in the Response column.
Note: If the Response column contains a value of 1, 2, or 2.0, the modem supports Class 1, Class 2, and Class 2.0, respectively.
Class 2 and Class 2.0 are NOT the same
protocols, and it is important to 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.
Most Fax Software applications default to
using Fax Class 1 when installed, so they will need to be configured to use either Fax
Class 2 or Class-2.0 mode in order to work reliably over a networked modem.
Enabling
Fax Class 2 or Class 2.0 in Microsoft Fax (or Windows Fax and Scan):
Warning: Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. Modify the registry at your own risk.
- Click Start, Type "regedit" in the Start Search box, and then click RegEdit in the Program list.
- .Locate and then click the following registry subkey:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Fax\TAPIDevices
- Expand TAPIDevices, and then click the device ID of the modem.
- Click Modem, right-click FixModemClass, and then click Modify.
- In the Value data box, type one of the following, depending on the class that you want to set:
Type "1" to set the fax modem to use Class 1, or
Type "2" to set the fax modem to use Class 2, or
Type 20 to set the fax modem to use Class 2.0
- If there is also a field named FaxClass, then click Modify and also change it to the same value.
- Exit the Registry Editor.
- Restart the fax service if it is already started. To do this, click Start, type "Services" in the Start Search box, and then click Services in the Programs list. .In the Services list, right-click on Fax, and then click Restart if it is available. If the Fax service is not already started then ignore this step.
Additional information is available on our Using
Microsoft Fax with NetModem page.
Enabling
Fax Class 2 or Class 2.0 in WinFax Pro:
- From the WinFax
Pro Message Manager, click Tools > Setup,
then click on "Modem and Communication Devices".
- Select the Modem name, and click on Properties.
- Select "TAPI" as the port, and Under MODEM
TYPE select "Class 2" or "Class 2.0"
depending on which one your modem supports. .
Additional information is available on our Using
WinFax Pro with NetModem page
Enabling
Fax Class 2 or Class 2.0 in Essential Fax (formerly
MightyFax):
- From the Essential Fax console, click File > Set Preferences.
- Cllick on Modem and select the Modem name from the
pulldown list. Selecting the modem name is recommended
rather then choosing the modems COM port.
- 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.
- If you also plan to receive faxes
you will also need to set the fax Class for this
separately, by clicking on Receiving and
selecting the same settings.
NetModem allows using a shared modem for receiving inbound
fax calls by a client, but this will cause the modem to
be constantly in-use by the client that is holding the
modems COM port open while waiting for an incoming RING,
thereby preventing other clients from accessing this
modem.
An alternative
solution is to have the Microsoft Fax service accepting
inbound fax calls on the NetModem Server PC, and in the
NetModem Server Configuration under "Pool Properties",
enable the "Use TAPI to open COM port" option. This will
allow NetModem Server to be 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 on the NetModem Server it is then
returned to the MS-fax software.
This
allows an office to have several client computers which
occasionally send a fax, but all incoming
faxes arrive on the NetModem Server
PC.
Warning: not all modems
are compatible with the "Use TAPI" option. This option can cause certain non-TAPI complient modems to become non-responsive (until Windows is restarted). |