Fax Monitor

I've read a lot of threads about Msft Fax here but none seemed to answer this simple question. My fax application seems to work OK once I manually run Fax Monitor - after that it will automatically answer as set. But, when the machine is re-booted, this does not start up automatically and I need to re-run it once. All the appropriate check boxes are checked. Is there a way to or do I need to add fax monitor to my start-up group? How?
Thanks,
Russ

 

It should start automatically upon demand if you have it configured properly.

Open the fax console and click on "Tools" and then "Configure Fax" to start the Wizard. Go through the setting screens until you see the place to check the two boxes for Send and Receive. They both should be checked. Then set the number of rings you want before it answers. When you get all that squared away, you should be good to go. Now mind you, the Fax Console won't start when you reboot, but if you have the computer booted up and the phone rings the proper number of times, the Fax Monitor will be activated and will answer the call.

Good luck.

 

Thanks for your response. My question was not about getting the program to work - it works fine. Is there a way to have the fax monitor start running automatically after the system is re-booted. Is there a fax monitor executable that can be added to a start-up group? If so, I can't find it.
RE

 

Yes, I understand that. The point is, the fax service is already running and it's not necessary for you to do anything other than verify that the service hasn't been disabled. The process running is fxssvc.exe and you should be able to see that listed in Task manager under the Process Tab.

If it's not there, check in Windows Services and see that it's enabled. It's name Fax in that list and should be enabled and started.

Then if you have run the Fax Wizard as I mentioned earlier and set the system to both Receive and Send Faxes, you should be good to go. The system will answer the phone on the preset number of rings and attempt to receive a fax. In the event you don't want it to automatically answer, just run the Wizaed again and uncheck the "Receive" box.

 

First of all, thanks again for your help. Please understand that I am not a novice computer user. I know the ropes. The boxes in fax configuration are all checked to send and receive. These have been checked, unchecked, rechecked several times. They are definitely checked. Immediately after rebooting my computer, when I look under processes, fxssvc.exe is NOT there. In msconfig, the process under fax says STOPPED. After I run fax monitor once, then fxssvc.exe appears and the process shows running. For some reason, the check box settings are not effecting a permanent change (registry issus or setting?). Like I said, I've checked the boxes and they remain checked but the setting doesn't seem to apply past a reboot. Now, I can get around this by placing a shortcut to faxmonitor in my startup group and simply closing it after startup - but then, that would be to easy and what would be the fun of all of this tinkering.

 

Did it! I looked at the services tab in administrative options. There, the Fax line showed manual. I changed that to automatic and that did it. I don't know why the check boxes weren't effecting this change. Thanks for the help.

 

I've had similar experiences with services not running and, without exception, it was due to me following some supposed guru's advice and changing the Windows default settings to improve performance. When someone tell you that Manual is as good as Automatic, remind them of your experience here.

Manual means you will be required to start the program and/or service needed manually. Automatic means it will start the required service when needed without your input. Makes sense, what?

BTW, FAX service process runs Automatically by default. You must have changed the setting at some time, like I did. Those tweaks often come back to haunt us when we least expect it and have long forgotten having made them.

I'm glad you were able to figure it out. Thanks for posting back your results so others can benefit.

 

Can I please have the indulgence of coming in on this and presenting my own problem!!!

I am running XP Home and have set up its fax software.
it will respond to incoming calls but i cannot get it to send a fax.

 

roy66, The most common problem seems to be that folks try to send faxes from the Fax Console. That's much too reasonable for MS.

The right way is to send them from within an application, such as a word processor or graphics program. You merely select "Print" and then choose "Fax" from the Printers offered and follow the screen prompts from there. The Fax Wizard should open and ask for all the necessary details to process the request. The text or graphics will then be converted to the proper format for faxing (.gif) and it will open the Autodialer and complete the task. If the line is busy or some other problem arises, you'll be notified via an error screen.

If you have other issues, post back your specific results/errors and perhaps we can help.

 

surferdude2,

Thanks for your information, though it seems a long way round to get the job done.

Followed your instructions.
Only the senders information...which is already in the fax system came up.
I had to cut and paste the message from Corel 8 WP.

Upon sending fax
(a) Could hear it being !!sent as I picked up the phone to check
(b) Seemed to take an awfully long time for a short mesage 1:53
(c) An error occured while sending the fax..........this is the readout I have been getting all the time........ An error occured while sending the fax..........
roy66

 

That's not ordinary. Normally the text from anything you create in a word processor will be included in the fax automatically by you merely selecting PRINT > FAX from the toolbar. I don't have Corel 8 so perhaps you have to highlight what you want to print or fax. Try that, but it's not usually necessary. How did you decide that it was necessary to copy/paste it? You won't actually be able to view the fax until you send or attempt to send it, except to view the material directly in the program you are sending from.

Practice by sending one to your own phone number. When it reports that the line is busy, open the Fax Console and look in the Outbox. You should see the message you attempted to send. Double clicking it will allow you to view the contents that the receiving part would ordinarily see.