How to Send a Fax Using a DSL Modem

When my husband brought home another new printer for me to add to my collection of of a photo printer and a regular printer, I was exstatic. Obviously I wouldn't need it to print anything, I wouldn't even have to buy ink for it. I was more interested in the scanning feauture, and the ability to send faxes.

Two weeks later, I had scanned everything I needed to fax to get the electric turned on in my name, and I had no idea how to send it! After a bit of searching, I discovered the fax feature included on Windows, and I was required to insert the Windows disc to install it. After a few hours of trying, I had it all up and running... or so I thought.

Everytime I tried to send a fax, I would recieve an error message. I called Microsoft, they wanted to charge me about $70 to help me troubleshoot. I called my internet service, just looking for advice from someone who knew what they were talking about. They told me to call Microsoft. So, I drove into town to send the fax out anyways. My obsession did not die there. If I could send a fax using my computer, so help me I would figure out how to do it!

The problem is, as far as my hours of internet searching has found me, that I am using a DSL modem. A friend of mine, who is an absolute genius with computers, told me I needed to have the phone line plugged into the computer for it to work. I am not entirely computer illiterate, but I do have the phone plugged into my DSL modem... isn't that good enough?

Now I am not quite sure how to run another line into the computer, and I am sure I will attempt this within a few weeks. When I get my mind set on something, I just don't give up. In the meantime, I did find a service that allows me to send faxes. I have tested it, and it has worked.

There are a number of internet fax services. Many of them, including E-Fax and My Fax have free trials, then they end up billing you at least $10 a month. We all know how that one goes... and I don't send faxes nearly enough to sign up for something like that!

Fortunately, I don't need to drive into town anymore either. The site that I found that has beed tested to work and allow me to send a fax using a DSL modem is FaxZero and you really can't get much easier than this. You type in your name and fax number (I just entered my phone number) and your email then you enter the name and fax number of your recipient.

Upload your .PDF or .DOC, enter the 'confirmation code' and choose between the free fax (maximum 3 pages, includes an ad on the cover page and you are only allowed 2 a day) or the $1.99 fax (maximum 15 pages, unlimited daily, and no ad on the cover page.)

Next, they tell you that the fax is queued. They will send a comfirmation link to your e-mail. Click on that link, and your fax is all sent. It is really that easy, and it is free... unless you choose the other option that charges.

The ability to send a fax from your own computer does make life easier, but dial up modems are as outdated as owning a fax machine in your own home. Still, the need does occassionally arise, so it is very helpful to have this ability to send faxes right from your computer!