Problems with FAX

Whilst not really related to broadband in any way, there might be someone here with the knowledge to assist me.

My fax machine is failing to receive anything on one on my lines (Lets call it line A), this line has broadband and redcare on it for the alarm system, the fax is plugged into an MCD.

I've removed the filter and attempted plugging directly into this line, without broadband active and the results are the same. I've tried plugging the MCD into my other line (Line B) and whilst I know the MCD isn't needed unless Redcare is active on the line, I like to think it has allowed me to eliminate it from being faulty as the Fax machine can receive fine whilst connected to Line B through the MCD.

So I have eliminated the Fax machine being faulty, the filter being faulty and the MCD being faulty, I've done a quiet line test just to listen to the line for anyone unusual blips or chirps from the Redcare system but I cannot hear anything.

What can I do and who do I contact for help?

Just some ideas ...

Can the Fax m/c send on Line A?

If you transfer the phone cable from your Fax m/c to your PC's modem socket, can you make a phone call from the PC using the Phone Dialler?

Bradband and I believe Redcare can work with one leg disconnected but telephony will not.

You need to see if telephony works on the line - if it does not then there is possibly a line fault.

Yeah, right! I was forgetting. Just plug a phone into Line A rather than using the PC

I've dialled 17070 and done option 2 so I can listen for anything on the line so telephony does work fine.

As for sending, I think it's ok and doesn't usually fail, why would only receiving fail (the senders fax is verified as working)?

Can you dial a pukka #? It may be BT Service #s are allowed but not others.

Just phone Line B from Line A, e.g.

Edited by XRaySpeX (Fri 10-Sep-10 00:23:53)

Who supplies your voice service on line A?
Who supplies the broadband on line A?
Have you tried a different filter? Preferably not the other one of the two that most likely came in the box from your ISP.

Just called my mobile from line A and it rang fine.

Line A is BT, the ISP is Entanet, I've tried removing the filter from the equation by plugging directly into the socket and it still doesn't work.

Is it just the one remote fax machine that is having trouble sending to yours?

How far through the process does it get? i.e. does your fax answer the call at all? does it manage to complete the handshake? or does it bail out half way through receiving?

No, it's multiple machines.

It doesn't get past the handshake stage, occasionally it will start receiving page 1 then bail, or receive 1 page and bail on the second.

To me that would indicate redcare's chirps are somehow interfering, but I've listened with a phone connected through the MCD and there's no odd noises which could break the fax transmission.

Edited by deleted (Fri 10-Sep-10 09:46:16)