A. Assuming that you have a modem installed and you can receive email via a dial-up connection (can't be done over DSL/cable), the first thing you have to do is install the Fax component because it's not installed by default. Follow the path Start ->Control Panel -> Add or Remove Programs -> Add/Remove Windows Components. This starts the Windows XP Setup. When the Components list is loaded, click in the box beside Fax Services, then click Next. This starts the Windows Components Wizard. You may be prompted to insert the Windows XP CD and then click OK. After the Wizard completes the installation, click on the Finish button. Click on the X in the upper right-hand corner to close the Add or Remove Programs dialog box. Do the same to close the Control Panel.

The next step is to configure the Fax Service. Follow the path Start ->All Programs -> Accessories ->Communications ->Fax ->Fax Console. The Fax Configuration Wizard window opens; click Next. On the Sender Information screen, type in your name, the phone number you want to use for your fax service--this can be your regular phone number, and any other information you wish to appear on the cover page of a fax you send. Click Next. The window that opens now is the Select Device for Sending or Receiving Faxes; click the modem that you want to use in the Please select the fax device list-mine lists only one choice. There are two options below that with checkboxes: Enable Send and Enable Receive. Check either one or both depending on what you want to be able to do. Enable Send is checked by default. When Enable Receive is checked, a choice is given for Manual answer or Automatically answer after X number of rings. Clicking on checkmark, removes it. Click Next.

The next screen is the Transmitting Subscriber Identification (TSID). Fax is the default identification, but as this information usually is printed in the header of a received fax, it may include the fax number and company name-I put in my phone/fax number with area code. Click Next. Now you'll see the Called Subscriber Identification (CSID) screen-this is what appears on the fax machine window of the person sending you a fax so that they know they're sending it to the correct fax number-I put in my phone/fax number. Click Next.

Routing Options are now specified. Incoming faxes automatically go into the Inbox of the Fax Console, but they can also be printed automatically or a copy stored in a separate folder. Checking the Print it on checkbox opens a line for a selected printer; click on the down arrow point to see available selections. Store a copy in a folder opens a line and a Browse button for you to designate a folder. Click Next. Click Finish in the next window and you're ready to send or receive a fax. A Fax icon now shows in the Printers and Faxes window.

Changes can be made to the configuration by the path Start ->Printers and Faxes ->Fax ->Tools (on the Fax Console menu bar) ->Configure Fax.

Q. How do I receive a fax?

A. To receive a fax, the Enable Receive check box in the Fax Configuration Wizard must be checked. If you have configured the fax to automatically receive faxes, it will try to answer the fax line after the number of rings you specified. If you configured it for manually answering and someone has told you they're sending you a fax at a certain time, click on Start ->Printers and Faxes ->Fax to open the Fax Console. When the phone rings, click on the Receive Now icon on the toolbar-a telephone handset on a document-or click on File ->Receive a fax now-or click on Tools ->Fax Monitor and click on Answer Now when the phone rings. When the fax transmission has been completed, you will be able to print it out on your printer if you wish.

Q. What can I send and how do I send a fax?

A. Any document, scanned image, or graphic created in a program that has a Print option can be sent as a fax using the MS Windows Fax component. If for example you want to fax a document you have created in a word processor: Open the document, click on File, then Print. Click on the down arrow point at the right end of Printer name and select Fax, then OK. This opens the Send Fax Wizard, click Next. If I'm sending the file to Faye Patrick here in town, I type Faye's name and and local phone number and click Next. (If Faye lives out of town and an area code would be needed to connect to her phone, I would click to put a checkmark in the box beside Use dialing rules and this would let me type in the area code.) You may put a note or instructions on the Cover Page that is created automatically, click Next. Specify when you want the fax sent and click Next. Click the Preview Fax button to see that all is well and click Finish. The Fax Monitor opens and you can see the dialing/sending time.

If I need to fax the copies of previously sent rebate information for resubmission or a copy of the bill showing how much I paid initially for my refrigerator to the manufacturer, I can open the file, click on File, then Print, select Fax and proceed as described above. The same can be done with photos or any other printable files.