DE>Is there software available for download that will allow a PC with a fax
DE>modem to use a fax machine as a printer?
DE>In more detail...I have a fax machine, but no printer. I would like to
DE>know if there is software that will enable me to use the fax machine as
DE>a printer without using a telephone company connection and 2 phone lines
DE>to send/receive the fax (print).
DE>Is there software that will simulate a telephone line
DE>environment/connection for a fax machine, then allow the computer to
DE>send a fax directly from the fax modem to the fax machine -- without
DE>going through a genuine telephone line connection?
Software? No, I can't picture a way for that to be possible, assuming a
normal fax machine, etc. There are hardware solutions, however.
One way would be to try to hack together a "null modem" connection to
the fax machine, behind the machine's built-in modem. I wouldn't have a
clue how to do that.
Another option, probably not cost-efficient, but an option, would be a
phoneline emulator (I think that's the right term). You need to create
a "phony phoneline" between your computer's modem and the fax machine's
modem. The tough part would be getting ringing to work, so the fax
machine would answer.
If your fax machine has a button to push to force it to answer, you
-might- be able to get away with just providing enough voltage for "talk
power," and ignore ringing. That's very simple to do if you know what
you're doing. I hesitate to tell you how, though, because you might
also let the Magic Smoke out of your computer and/or fax machine, and
then I'd feel bad.
There's a commercial product. Basically it's a box that electrically
"looks" like a phone co "central office." A good one can allow for tone
dialling, provide ringing current, the whole shot. I do a bit of phone
tinkering as a sideline business. Such boxes are useful for testing
phones & phone systems & such, without pissing off the nice folks at the
Phone Co.
Look at:
<http://www.sandman.com>
This is one of the best phone-stuff websites I've found, and I recall
seeing an appropriate box in their catolog. You might also consider a
device they call "PBXtra," sort of a mini-PBX, which looks to be quite
flexible, and for which you might find some other fun uses. It -might-
allow for what you need, especially if it has phone-intercom
capabilities. Not sure.
They're not impossible to build, with sufficient electronics savvy.
Used to be able to find the appropriate circuit diagrams at the Public
Library.
Not cost-efficient, of course. For the price of the box, you could buy
a cheap printer. Sorry.
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