How to Set Up the Fax Functions on Your Desktop PC

Your desktop PC can be set up to work with an external fax machine or to function as a fax machine itself. Faxing capabilities have been a part of the Windows operating system since Windows 95. In Windows XP, setting up fax services for your desktop PC only takes a few minutes.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Telephone cable with RJ45 connectors
• Desktop PC
• Windows XP or other Windows OS

1. Plug a phone line into the Line In (RJ45) connector of your desktop computer's internal modem.

2. Plug your fax machine into the modem’s Line Out connector, if you are connecting an external fax machine.

3. Click on your computer's "Start" menu. Select "Printer" and then "Faxes" to open the Printer folder.

4. Click on “Install a Fax Printer” to prompt Windows XP to install the fax-service software.

5. Fill out the information requested in each screen that follows.

6. Enter the phone number of the telephone line connected to the computer when prompted for a telephone number.

7. Click “Next” to fill out the properties for your fax service.

8. Choose the printer that you want your incoming faxes to print out on. The fax machine may be designated as the default fax printer.

9. Choose the folder where you want incoming faxes saved.

10. Type the telephone number and your business name in the TSID box.

11. Type your telephone number and your business name in the CSID box.

12. Click "Finish" to exit the wizard.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don’t want to print out your faxes, uncheck the Enable Printing box.
• You can change the settings for your fax machine any time by right-clicking on “Fax Machine” in the Printer folder and opening the Properties dialog box.
• The TSID is mandatory in some areas. This identification information typically appears in the header area of a fax that you receive. This information helps you identify the fax machine where the fax originates from. This information typically includes the sender's fax number and business name.

[glassontop]

on 6/16/2009 Will my PC be able to accept multiple faxes? Can I send my faxes to a folder on a network?

[zanthia6]

on 4/16/2008 Are the steps different to set up the PC to function as a fax machine itself?