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BOOT CAMP 101
RECEIVING FAXES ON YOUR PC
A few weeks ago we looked at how to compose and send faxes
from a Windows PC. Since then we've had a steady stream of enquiries asking for
details of how to set up a PC to receive faxes. The good news is that it can be
done and we'll show you how in a moment but it has to be said that PCs are not
a very satisfactory substitute for a proper fax machine, at least as far as processing
incoming faxes are concerned.
The reasons are simple. In order to receive a fax Windows and
the fax software has to be running, with you in attendance to click the mouse
buttons. Clearly that is not very convenient, unless you know in advance when a
fax is coming. PCs and modems can be configured to automatically answer
incoming calls but if you only have one telephone line and can't beat the PC to
pick up the phone, non-fax callers will be treated to a blast of fax tone when
they call. It is also possible to set some Windows PCs to wake up from sleep or
hibernation mode to answer a fax call. However, it can take several seconds for
the PC and software to initialise and this can lead to problems since some fax
machines may give up if they don't get a more or less immediate response.
There's more, unlike outgoing faxes sent from a PC, which are
usually word processor text files, incoming faxes are basically images. In
order to turn a fax into a text file that can be opened in a word processor it has
to be read by OCR software (see Jargon Filter) and only then if the fax is typewritten
and crisply defined. Having faxes on screen and stored on a PC's hard disc
drive can be an advantage but if you end up printing them out then you might as
well be done with it and buy a fax machine. Prices start at less than £100, they
are a lot easier to set up and use and much more reliable than a PC, they're cheaper
to run, can be left on 24 hours a day and a lot of models can distinguish
between voice and fax calls.
If that hasn't put you off the idea then here's how you do
it. If you have a Windows 95 machine and you didn't follow or missed the
procedure in the October 28th edition of Boot Camp the first step is
to install Microsoft Fax. It is not usually loaded by default so make sure you
have your Windows CD-ROM installation disc to hand and go to Add/Remove
Programs in Control Panel. Select the Windows Set-up tab scroll down the list in
the Components list and look for Microsoft Fax. Put a tick in the box, click OK
and follow the instructions. Whilst you are in Add/Remove Programs make sure
that Windows Messaging is also installed, (check the desktop to see if you have
an Inbox icon) and Windows Imaging, if not install both items of software now.
Windows 98 PCs doesn't come with stand-alone fax software as
standard but Microsoft Fax is hidden away on the installation CD-ROM. Load it
into the drive and if it runs automatically click on 'Browse this CD' button. Otherwise
open the disc from My Computer by double clicking on the drive icon. Next open
the Tools folder then click and open Oldwin 95 > Message > Intnl and
double click on the file wms.exe. Follow the installation instructions. When it
has finished go back to the Intnl folder and install the file awfax.exe by
double clicking on it. When Windows restart
don't forget to leave the Windows 98 disc in the drive, when the machine has
finished booting the configuration wizard will start. Just fill in details when
prompted to do so. You will be asked if you want Microsoft Fax to automatically
answer incoming calls; unless you have a separate fax line or only expect to
receive faxes whilst working on the PC select No (you can enable it later).
It's a good idea to test everything before you try using it
in anger so arrange for a friend or colleague to send you a fax. To enable the fax
utility double click on the Inbox icon on the desktop and this will open
Windows Messaging, after a few seconds a small fax machine icon should appear
in the System Tray and the PC is now ready. (Incidentally if you want to enable
your modem's auto answer mode right click on the fax machine icon and select
Modem Properties).
Left click on the Fax icon and a Fax Status dialogue box should
appear on the screen with the word idle. When the phone rings and presuming it
is your incoming text fax, click on the Answer Now button. You can answer the
phone manually, if you hear a fax tone click the Answer button. If the set-up
is successful the Fax Status dialogue box should show that that the connection
has been made then display the page number and amount of data received. When
the call is complete a new entry will appear in Windows Messaging Inbox. Double
click on it and the Windows Imaging utility will open, displaying the contents of
the received fax. From Windows Imaging you can edit, file or print the image,
as the fancy takes you.
Next week – Create a calendar
JARGON FILTER
HIBERNATION MODE
The PC is 'asleep', with the disc drives dormant and Windows
and running programs suspended but the processor is still active and the system
can be revived in just a few seconds by pre-determined actions (mouse or
keyboard activity, modem ring etc.)
OCR
Optical Character Recognition – software which converts an image
into a text file by identifying patterns of alphanumeric characters
SYSTEM TRAY
Area on the far right of the Windows Taskbar reserved for
running applications, frequently used utilities and the desktop clock
TOP TIP
Does your Windows 98 desktop PC seem to be taking longer and
longer to boot up? Here's a totally safe way to claw back several valuable
seconds, and it's only seven mouse clicks away! Go to the Start menu and
proceed thus: Settings > Control Panel > System, select the Performance
tab, then the File System button and the Floppy Disc tab and deselect the item
'Search for new floppy disc drives each time your system starts'. The facility
is meant for laptop machines, which use detachable external floppy drives. Since
the drive on your desktop PC is permanently attached there is no need for
Windows to look for a new one; this pointless activity wastes three or four seconds
of boot-up time on some machines. Don't scoff, three seconds a day, say, 250
days a year comes to twelve and a half minutes a year, in only four and a bit
years this simple tweak will have saved you almost one hour, use this time
wisely!
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