Setting Up and Using a Home Fax Machine on Your Primary Landline With Voice Mail

While faxing is pretty much yesterday and e-faxing can obviate the need for a home fax machine, some people find it nice to have a home fax machine. Unless you're willing to pay for a separate fax line (in which event set the fax machine to fax only), or there's no voicemail on your primary line (in which even set the fax machine to fax/tel), and you are running the fax on your primary landline that has voice mail, it is a bit tricky. First, set the fax machine to Manual. Outgoing faxes are sent just like always. But for incoming faxes, when the fax rings in, you need to pick up your telephone and hit * 5 1, and then hang up the phone. On the one hand this is a bit of a pain (made easier if you create a * 5 1 speed dial), but on the other hand, it obviates your getting unwanted faxes.