Fax with router?

Question

I just got a lexmark 1200 all in one and i am connected to a buffalo router that connects the 2 cpus downstairs. I have xp on both. How can i fax by using this router?

i don't think i need the usb print server, i know how to connect the printer to the network where all the cpu's can share it. But the all in one printer doesn't have a phone jack, just a usb cable. So what I think I need now is some kind of adaptor / splitter that would plug the phone line cord in to 1 side and then the ethernet cable into the router. Or do u think i might need a fax modem pci card to connect the phone line.

See i really need to fax - RIght now it says "cannot detect any fax modems do u think the link below is all i will need then it will be able to detect a "modem" then with this adaptor i can fax forever?


it is an phone jack to External RJ-45 USB Ethernet LAN Network Adapter #PCUL01

http://pc-link.biz/pc/pclan01.jpg

Answer 1

The Lexmark 1200 series is only scan-copy-print, not fax. Buy a fax machine, rather than try to engineer this to do something it won't.

From the product description on Lexmark's website:

"Color All-in-One; Print, Scan and Copy at the Touch of a Button "

Fax is not mentioned. You're going to have to spend a little more than $49 to be able to fax. If you're not happy, if you saved the receipt, take it back and get an X5400 series (no network) for about $99, or you could go with an X9300 series with a built in Wifi connection for about $279. Adding an optional network adapter to the X8300 series will bring the price up to about the same as an X9300, so I wouldn't bother.

Answer 2

The fax modem for the unit is an external one. You also need to have the optional Tri-port adaptor installed. If you have the fax modem plugged in, you might be able to get the software to work in XP. It is not specifically designed for XP, so there's a good chance you won't get it to work. Sometimes older equipment is not supported in newer operating systems simply because the drivers were never written for the new OS. If you can get it to work as a printer and you can get it to work as a scanner, you may be able to use an online fax service. www.myfax.com

Check out your user manuals with the link below. You may find something I missed.

Answer 3

Any device that claims to be an "All in One" printer scanner fax, has an RJ-11 jack someplace on it to connect the device to a standard phone line.

Without connecting it to a phone line it won't work as a fax.

In the Picture you put in your link, that adapter has an RJ-45 connector, not an RJ-11. Someplace on that machine there is an RJ-11 or it isn't a fax machine.

Answer 4

Does your lexmark have an ethernet port? If yes, plug it into the router and see if there's an option for network installation with the drivers. If not, you'll need to hook it up to one of the computers on your network and "Share" it.

Go to start - printers and faxes, right click on the lexmark and click on Sharing. Give it a share name.

Answer 5

Fax only works over phone lines. But there are companies that offer fax services over the internet. eFax is one. Receiving is free for a few pages a month, sending requires a pay account at around $10/month, I think.

Your Lexmark surely has a phone line connection if it's and all-in-one.

Answer 6

You either need to use your landline or subscribe to a voip phone connection, or an internet fax relay company.