Looking for Good Fax Software

[Stormblade]

Running Windows XP. I've searched a bit for some. Used to use Winfax Pro but I often have problems with it.

What I'd llike to find is fax software that:

1. Supports distinctive ring. I want it to answer ONLY if it detects my alternate ring.
2. Supports Windows XP.
3. Uses Printer Drivers so that I can Fax from any software that can print.

Anyone help me out with some suggestions on software that meets all of the above?

 

[DaveSimmons]

Is there even anything left at the individual level besides WInFax? Together, MS bundling basic fax support into Windows and modems coming with low-end software killed off most of the market for paid single-user software.

 

[Stormblade]

http://www.ntfaxfaq.com/software/Single_User_Fax_Software/

The trouble I'm having though is I can't find any that supports number 1. Number 2 and 3 are easy but Distinctive ring support I've not seen yet. Still looking even after I asked here.

Edit: Faxtalk may be the one. Checking it out. Gonna download then perhaps play with it tomorrow.

 

[chansen]

You found it. FaxTalk is the ONLY thing I found that works. I don't even have distinctive ring from my phone company. FaxTalk picks up, playes my pre-recorded greeting, and switches to fax if it detects one.

I tried about five other packages you can find demos for on the web. FaxTalk is the only one that works.

01 Communique is TERRIBLE (and I happen to live right near their offices in Toronto). Smith Micro is almost as bad. WinFax is also buggy, and doesn't seem to be supported anymore. The rest were completely forgettable and gone from my machine within hours of trying to get them to work.

That was a couple of years ago, so maybe something new is out. But FaxTalk is working great, so I haven't bothered looking.

 

[Stormblade]

Hmm. Faxtalk is giving me problems. I downloaded the trial, installed and rebooted. Now when I start it, I get a crash message saying the CallControl encountered problems and has to be shut down. I choose don't send and then Messenger Pro pops up. I haven't tried sending or receiving any faxes yet but this error didn't seem to bode well.

Edit: I get the CallControl Error any time I select menu options. Hmm.

 

[chansen]

Sorry to hear that. My version of 6.0 has been working fine for many months.

I've found their CS to be pretty good, if not exceptionally fast. You may wait a day or two, but you'll get a thoughtful answer.

 

[Stormblade]

Yeah I sent them an e-mail yesterday so I don't expect to hear anything till Monday or Tuesday. I'm not in any major rush. I really hope that the distinctive ring thing works. That would be worth it. To have the software answer only calls that call my second number would be beautiful.

 

[sixpackdate]

Keep us posted, I need to install some fax software also. My canon multipass all in one fax died and i dont want to buy another 200 dollar solution. Plus I recently bought a nice sheet feed scanner. I ordered winfax pro because it says it supports faxing over the network, I'll let you know how that works.

Has anyone used the winfax network server & client?

Thanks.

 

[Stormblade]

Will do. I don't expect to hear from them till Monday or Tuesday so we'll see.

 

[suklee]

Originally posted by: sixpackdate
Has anyone used the winfax network server & client?

Thanks.

I've been setting up WinfaxPRO sharing on a win2k domain. It works like peaches after installing it on the fax server as the administrator, and logging into a client's win2k also as administrator. However, once I log into a client as a regular user, I am getting the following error:

WinFax PRO
-The following error occurred when attempting to open a folder.

"No access"

A system error occurred. That drive is write-protected.

I've been experimenting a bit with various permissions/sharing settings but no luck so far. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[Stormblade]

Heard from tech support. They gave me uinstall reinstall instructions. Did all that but the error remains. Waiting to hear from them again to see what next to try now they we've gotten the canned responses done...hopefully.

 

[smartcap]

Go download GFI FAXmaker 11. This is by far the best network faxing software I've seen on the market. It comes in two flavors...an Exchange version and a Network/SMTP version. The pricing for this software package for 10 users is an affordable $400. It also allows you to send SMS and will OCR the 1st page of each incoming fax and route them to the poper personnel.

Originally posted by: Stormblade
Running Windows XP. I've searched a bit for some. Used to use Winfax Pro but I often have problems with it.

What I'd llike to find is fax software that:

1. Supports distinctive ring. I want it to answer ONLY if it detects my alternate ring.
2. Supports Windows XP.
3. Uses Printer Drivers so that I can Fax from any software that can print.

Anyone help me out with some suggestions on software that meets all of the above?

 

[smartcap]

We've found out thru experimentation that after the initial installation u need logon to the local station where you have installed WinFAX as an administrator; and double click on the WinFAX shortcut on your desktop.

Once that is accomplished log-out...voila...your users will no longer get that error..

WinFax PRO
-The following error occurred when attempting to open a folder.

"No access"

A system error occurred. That drive is write-protected.

I've been experimenting a bit with various permissions/sharing settings but no luck so far. Anyone have any ideas?[/quote]

 

[Stormblade]

Well I heard back from them but no solution to my problem yet. I've re-installed it several times. I've uninstalled and re-installed the modem drivers and then re-installed the software but no dice. I may have to search for something else. My needs are pretty simply. I need distinctive ring support. That's the only "special" need. The other is just standard ability to send and recieve faxes.

 

[Stormblade]

Just to finish this thread up for those who asked me to. I found a solution and it's working just fine.

Faxtalk as I mentioned did NOT work under Windows XP for me. I don't know why I got that error. Others claim it works great for them. Tech support gave up responding after a couple of tries.

Ventafax 5.3 is what I found that worked. Installed nice and was fairly simply to setup. I didn't even read anything hehe I usually don't. Let's me know how intuitive it is (For me at least).

So I can recommend Ventafax 5.3 if you're running Windows XP and you need software that supports distinctive ring.