I have been given a fax machine without any instructions. For it to work do I just have to plug it into phone socket and then as long as I instryct it accordingly it can send and receive. Or does it have to somehow be  programmed in with my phone number?
Thanks

You can just plug it in and use it. But - it may give the previous person's telephone number on the received fax the other end :D You need to work our how to change the number to your own. Try looking on the manufacturer's website for instructions for your particular machine :)

Daisy

Thanks Daisy
I did that but could not find the model. Samsung e mailed me back but the instructions they sent do not  refer to the model I have :(
If I phone my number the fax machine rings

There is usually a metal plate somewhere on the machine with the model number on it :)

Daisy

I did get the modekl number but it must be discontinued as they do not have it listed now

Find your local Freecycle Message Board and post on it a 'Wanted' request :)

Daisy

Perhaps you need to set up a "distinctive ring" with your phone company?  I'm in Canada so perhaps the workings of the phone companies are not the same but surely the fax machines are pretty similar?  I pay a small monthly price to my phone company to have an extra number on my one phone line.  The extra number is the one I use on my fax and in the machine I set it to "distinctive ring" (I chose two short rings) and know not to answer that ring.  I could answer it if I wanted to though, on my regular phone.

Find someone you know and send them a fax - that'll let you know if it says the old persons number on it.

out of interest you can get software to do the same thing on your PC