using RTP300 with Lexmark fax

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Feb 28, 2006 Posts: 3

I am attempting to use a Lexmark all in one on the same phone line as the telephone.
I have every reason to believe that this should work but have no idea how to make it work.
I currently have the phone and fax connected to a splitter that is plugged into the RTP300 router.
Can someone tell me how I need to sent things up to make it work.
Right now I have the fax set to answer when a fax tone is received after 5 rings. My phone has an answering machine set to pick up after 3 rings. Since the phone picks up, the fax never does.
I believe if I sent the fax to pick up after 2 rings, the phone answering machine won't work for messages.
Do I need to connect the phone to the fax's phone jack instead?
Any help would be greatly appreciated. I really hate to pay $10 a month to fax just a few sheets of paper a month.
Thanks

Posts: 4777 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: Aug 30, 2005 Posts: 4777

I'm afraid there is no solution to the problems you've mentioned- you've accurately described the limitations of the system. Most of us who use the same line for voice and fax simply set the fax for manual operation and signal it to answer when we know a fax is coming in. If you want the convenience of automatic fax operation, you pretty much need to get a dedicated fax line.

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Feb 28, 2006 Posts: 3

thanks for the quick response. I guess for the time being that is how I will have to operate. I can't see paying the $10 a month for receiving just a few faxes.
When receiving manually do you have to want for the sender to start the fax sending then when you hear the tones, activate the fax machine?

Thanks

Posts: 4777 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: Aug 30, 2005 Posts: 4777

Basically, yes, though you would have to answer the phone and listen for the tones. What I do is talk to the sending party and agree that he's going to send me a fax immediately. Then I hang up and wait for the phone to ring and immediately engage the fax. Of course it's possible for another voice call to come in coincidentally at just that time, but it doesn't happen often.

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Feb 28, 2006 Posts: 3

thanks, I will have to read the manual and hope it tells me how to engage the fax machine manually.....I sure wish there was a way to make it work automatically.