Fax machine?

Question

I own a dell computer with the windows xp package. My computer has a fax modem in it but for some reason it has stopped working. Any suggestions I could try, perhaps step by step instructions of things to try? Any help would be appreciated. No use having it if I can't use it.

I did have a power surge wreck my power supply a while back through the modem. Thank you for your help, I have it working now. My virus sucurity was conflicting with it. I might have know. Thanks for directing me in the right direction.

Answer 1

Open hyperterminal or phone dialer and see if you can hear a dial tone and acutally make a call. If not then the modem got fried and you will have to replace it. Getting a power surge through the modem is common. It kills the modem but leaves the rest of the machine alone (usually). If you have a dial tone your fax software may be corrupted, get a copy of quinkling or winfax - both are better than the version that comes with winXp.