Fax line already supplied with internet or home phone line?

[charlieeppes]

I wasn't quite sure where to put this, so if this is the wrong forum, then please feel free to move it.  I called my local representative for Verizon and was asking about a fax line.  This person told me that it was already provided with the internet service and transfered me over to the DSL department.  Well, they have no idea what I was really talking about.  They said to try a fax and see what happens, but I don't even know my supposed fax number.  Was I told the truth?  If not, is there a way that I can get a fax number and line?  I have a printer, scanner, copier and fax all in one.  Thanks for any help that can be provided.

[BrianMcD]

Do you have Home Phone service thruVerizon or do you have a DSL Dry Loop ?

If you have phone service and you send and receive a lot of faxes you may want a line dedicated to faxing.  You will need to call Verizon and request a 2nd line to your house.

If you have phone service and only send/receive the occassional fax then you may want to try to use your existing phone line.

If you have a DSL Dry Loop Connection then you will need to request a Verizon Phone Line.

[charlieeppes]

I have both home phone and DSL through Verizon.

[kvelling1]

IF your computer is equipped with a fax modem then there will be an RJ11 jack on the rear  (an RJ11 jack is what your telephone(s) plug into; it looks similar to the RJ45 jack used for ethernet/DSL but is smaller).

Simply plug a telephone cord from the computer's RJ11 jack to a standard telephone wall jack.

If you need to use a wall jack that already has a phone connected, you will likely find that the computer has 2 RJ11 jacks.  If so, simply unplug the telephone from the wall jack and connect the telephone to the computer; then connect the computer's 2nd RJ11 jack to the wall jack. 

[charlieeppes]

Kvelling:

I'm more confused than ever now.  Even though the printer is already connected to the computer, I still have to connect it the way you suggested as well?

[charlieeppes]

Brian,

That's the thing.  I did call Verizon for a dedicated line for faxing and they said that it was already included with the internet, and I don't know my own fax number, if that is the case.  Also, how would I test it?  The only fax that I know of is where my room mate works and that is a hospital.  I'm not sure I can test it there.  I really just need it to send faxes to my online college financial aid department and professors, because I don't want to keep running out to send them.

Charlie

[i_like_turtles]

A fax machine is nothing more than a phone that sends pretty pictures.

You plug it into your phone line and it has whatever fone number of that phone line.

Plug the fax machine into your fone line and send the fax.

I dont think your computer has anything to do with your fax machine EVEN if it is one of those HP fax machine/printer/scanner combo thingies.

They are designed to work independantly.

[BrianMcD]

It sounds like your Fax Number is the same as your Phone Number.

You would only need a dedicated fax Line if you did a lot of faxing and you wanted a 2nd separate phone line for it, along with its additional costs.

[charlieeppes]

Thanks.

[charlieeppes]

Ok.  I tried it and it doesn't work.  So there is NO solution yet.  I am messing with the cords now, but why is it not working?  I don't think I have a fax number...at all.