Member Avatar for BastardAle

I know there are programs out there to turn scanners into fax machines. But has anyone used any? I need a good program that will help me do this for free or **cough~cheap**.
Nothing serious, I just need something I can use to fax weekly paystubs to Pittsburgh. I have a scanner, cable internet, dial-up modem, Windows XPpro.

Help please!

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As is trying to fax weekly paystubs and correctly pointed out that Windows can handle faxing for free, here are practical, experience-based tips to make the setup reliable, keep faxes legible, and protect sensitive data.

Scan settings and file format
Scan in black-and-white (bi-tonal) for best contrast and smallest file size; 200 dpi is a good default for text, bump to 300 dpi only for very small print. Remove extra margins, deskew the image, and save as a multi-page TIFF if your scanner supports it — TIFF is the most compatible format for faxing. If your scanner only makes PDFs, test that your fax path accepts them or convert to TIFF before sending.

Modem and line checks
Not every modem reliably sends faxes. Some internal “softmodems” and VoIP adapters fail or are flaky. Identify the modem model (Device Manager) and confirm the vendor lists fax support; if in doubt, try an inexpensive external hardware fax modem. Use a plain analog phone line (POTS) rather than a VoIP adapter or a digital PBX interface, and disable call waiting/voice-mail for the duration of the send.

Privacy and alternatives
Paystubs contain personal data. For recurring, business-grade transfers consider a secure e-fax service or encrypted email delivery rather than plain fax. For occasional use, a quick test fax to a colleague or a local fax shop is a low-cost fallback.

Quick troubleshooting checklist

  • Verify the modem advertises fax support and is on an analog line.
  • Scan bi-tonal at 200 dpi, save as TIFF.
  • Disable call waiting/voicemail on the line.
  • Send a one-page test and check legibility.
  • If transfers fail or quality is poor, try an external hardware modem or an e-fax service.

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Member Avatar for DuncanIdaho

How about 'free'? Cheap enough for ya?

Go to your COntrol Panel, open Printers and Other Hardware. Open Printers and Faxes, you'll see there's a wizard to set up a fax driver.

Load it up. After you're done, pick the 'Add Local Fax Printer' in the Printer and Faxes page.

Once you've done that, you'll have a new option, the ability to pick 'Fax' as your printer when you're printing. Scan your document, pick Print, and pick Fax as your printer.

I see you have a modem, so you'll be all set. You might want to pick Fax while you are in the Printer and Faxes page, right click on it, pick Properties, and tell it which modem to use, but you should have no problems figuring that out.

That fix you up?

Member Avatar for BastardAle

No way! DOH!!!!

I figured Bill would want me to pay extra for a feature like that!!!

Thanks a bunch I will try this now...

Member Avatar for DuncanIdaho

Bill's been giving that away since 98SE, (maybe even 98, I can't recall). He's not so bad a guy, just needs to lose a crudload of money to regain his sensibilities. ;)

Take care, my friend.

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