Chapter 2
Getting Started

Before installing FaxTalk Messenger, you should have already connected your modem (internal or external) to your computer and know its COM port and IRQ.

What You Need to Get Started
To use FaxTalk Messenger, the following hardware and software must be included in your system.

Backing Up Your Disks
Before using FaxTalk Messenger, make a backup copy of your original FaxTalk Messenger diskettes. Store the original diskettes in a safe place. Use the backup to install FaxTalk Messenger.

Installing the Software for the First Time
To install FaxTalk Messenger:

  1. Insert the backup copy of FaxTalk Messenger disk 1 into your A: drive.

    If you are using a floppy drive designated other than A:, substitute the appropriate drive letter.

  2. Launch Windows. Select File > Run from the Program Manager (Windows 95 Users would click on the Start Menu and select Run).
  3. Type A:\SETUP in the Command Line text box, and click OK.
  4. The FaxTalk Messenger Installation Options dialog box appears. The default installation selections are to install FaxTalk Messenger and to configure the software based on your hardware configuration. Click OK to continue with the installation.
  5. If you are using a target directory other than C:\FAXTALKM, indicate the appropriate drive and directory when prompted.
  6. Follow the screen prompts and insert the remaining disks when requested.

Configuring FaxTalk Messenger
After the appropriate FaxTalk Messenger files have been copied to your system, you need to indicate how you want FaxTalk Messenger to work with your modem, phone line, and system. The following configuration screens let you specify Modem, User, Fax/Voice, Answer, and Dialing parameters.

If you are reinstalling FaxTalk Messenger or updating your installation, you can just modify the configuration settings you specify without having to reenter all of the parameters. After you have made the desired changes, hold down the Ctrl key when you click the Next Screen button to jump to the end of the configuration portion of the installation (skipping the other Configuration screens). Click the Exit button if you wish to leave the setup program without completing the Installation

Configure Modem Parameters
The Configure Modem Parameters dialog box lets you specify your modem configuration (Figure 2-1).


Figure 2-1. Modem Configuration Dialog Box

Modem Type
Click on the down arrow to display the list of compatible modems. Select your modem type by locating it and clicking on the name.

Initialization String
Type in any additional modem settings you want to use for transmission. Refer to your fax/voice modem documentation for detailed information about Initialization String settings. Normally you WILL NOT change this setting. A default Initialization String is built into the software for the Modem Type you selected.

Port
Select the COM Port to which the modem is attached.

Note: Be sure to verify that there are no other devices currently assigned to the selected COM Port. COM Port conflicts will prevent the use of the fax/voice modem. COM Ports 1 and 3, and 2 and 4, often share IRQs. Your modem cannot share an IRQ with another device such as a mouse, modem, or COM Port.

Maximum Fax Speed
Select the maximum fax speed at which your modem is capable of transmitting and receiving. If you are not sure of your modem's maximum transmission and receive speed, refer to your modem's documentation.

Speaker
Select how you want your modem's speaker enabled by clicking on the desired speaker mode. Select the desired modem speaker volume by clicking on the volume level.

Click the Next Screen button to continue configuring FaxTalk Messenger.

Configure User Parameters
The User Parameters dialog box (Figure 2-2) displays. The user parameters define what information will be displayed on faxes that you send to other people.


Figure 2-2. User Configuration Dialog Box

Set the fax header parameters you want displayed on the faxes you send. The fax header information is printed at the top of each page you send. It usually contains your User ID and Fax Phone number, as well as the date and time the fax was sent.

User ID
Type the name you want to appear on the top of the faxes you send. The User ID can be a company or user name up to 20 characters.

Fax #
Type the phone number you want to appear at the top of the faxes you send (usually your fax phone number).

Send Page Headers
Click on the checkbox to set the Send Page Headers parameter. When the option is on, the User ID, Fax #, Page #, and Date and Time can be printed on each page you send.

Include Page Number
Click on the checkbox to include the page number (1 of 3, 2 of 3, etc.) in the header information.

Include User ID
Click on the checkbox to include the User ID in the header information.

Include Date & Time
Click on the checkbox to include the date and time of the fax transmission in the header information.

Include Fax #
Click on the checkbox to include your Fax phone number in the fax header information.

Click the Next Screen button to continue configuring FaxTalk Messenger.

Configure Faxes and Voice Messages Parameters
The Fax/Voice Configuration dialog box (Figure 2-3) displays.


Figure 2-3. Fax/Voice Configuration Dialog Box

The Fax parameters specify the type of page you normally transmit. The settings you specify here are preferences based on what you plan to send most often. You can tailor the parameters for specific changes when you want to send a fax with a different configuration.

Resolution
Click on the radio button which indicates the default resolution of most of your fax transmissions. The default setting is fine mode (200 x 200 dpi).

Page Size
Select the page size you will be faxing most often.

Orientation
Click on the radio button that indicates which direction (tall or wide) the information is presented on the pages you want to send.

Click the Next Screen button to continue configuring FaxTalk Messenger.

Configure Answer Parameters
The Answer Configuration dialog box (Figure 2-4) displays. The Answer Parameters let you specify whether FaxTalk Messenger automatically answers the phone and how received faxes and messages are handled.


Figure 2-4. Answer Configuration Dialog Box

Auto Answer After _ Rings
Click on the checkbox to indicate whether you want FaxTalk Messenger to answer the phone in the selected mode. When the box is checked, FaxTalk Messenger automatically answers the phone. Click on the up or down arrow to increase or decrease the number of rings value. This option is only available if you have enabled Auto Answer. The number of rings can range from 1-8. The default setting is 2 rings.

Flash Icon on Receive
Click on the checkbox to indicate whether you want FaxTalk Messenger to notify you whenever a new fax or message is received. The FaxTalk Messenger icon will flash to indicate a new fax is received (if FaxTalk Messenger is running and minimized on your desktop).

Print Received Faxes
Click on the checkbox to indicate whether you want FaxTalk Messenger to automatically print any new faxes you receive.

Click the Next Screen button to continue configuring FaxTalk Messenger.

Configure Dialing Parameters
The Dialing Configuration dialog box (Figure 2-5) displays. The Dialing Parameters specify how FaxTalk Messenger will place your calls.


Figure 2-5. Dialing Configuration Dialog Box

Dialing Prefix
Make an entry in this field only if your phone line requires that you dial a special number to connect to an outside line. Type the dialing prefix required to get an outside line (usually 9) followed by a comma (to indicate that the modem should pause for moment) in the text box. This allows your phone system to connect with an outside line before dialing the desired phone number. Do not enter your local area code in this field.

Local Area/Country/City Code
Enter your current local area code or city and country codes. FaxTalk Messenger examines this field before dialing. If you are making a local call, FaxTalk Messenger automatically skips these characters, because they are not required.

Dialing Method
Click on the Tone radio button if the phone line you are using can dial with touch tones. Click on the Pulse radio button if your telephone line requires pulse dialing. The default setting is Tone.

Click the Next Screen button to continue configuring FaxTalk Messenger.

FaxTalk Messenger Load Options
After installing and configuring FaxTalk Messenger, you are prompted to specify whether you want to load FaxTalk Messenger and the FaxTalk Phone automatically whenever you start Windows. Click on Load FaxTalk Messenger check box to have automatic access to FaxTalk Messenger when you use Windows. Remember, FaxTalk Messenger has to be loaded and running to answer calls.

Click on Load FaxTalk Phone check box to have automatic access to the FaxTalk Phone application. FaxTalk Messenger must be loaded to use FaxTalk Phone. If the Load FaxTalk Messenger check box is not selected when you click on the Load FaxTalk Phone check box, both options are automatically enabled.

Click the OK button to proceed with the setup procedure.

Leave FaxTalk Messenger Setup
In order for the installation and configuration information to be recognized by Windows, you need to exit and reenter Windows. From this dialog box you can Restart Windows so you can use FaxTalk Messenger immediately, Return to Windows and perform other duties before restarting (FaxTalk Messenger will not be usable until you restart Windows), Return to DOS and launch Windows at a later time, or Reboot System and launch Windows at a later time, by clicking on the associated button.

After FaxTalk Messenger has been installed YOU MUST RESTART Windows before trying to send or receive faxes and messages.

Modifying the Configuration
If you discover that the information entered during the FaxTalk Messenger setup needs to be modified, you can modify the configuration from within FaxTalk Messenger using the Configuration menu options. For detailed information about FaxTalk Messenger's Configuration options, please refer to Chapter 9, Configuring the FaxTalk Software.

Uninstalling FaxTalk Messenger
FaxTalk Messenger includes an uninstall option in the Setup program. Uninstalling the program is a simple procedure.

To uninstall FaxTalk Messenger:

  1. Click on the FaxTalk Messenger Setup icon from the FaxTalk Messenger Program Group
  2. Click on the Remove FaxTalk Messenger from your system checkbox. Note that this deselects the other installation and configuration options. Click OK to begin the uninstall process (press the Ctrl key when you click OK if you want to skip the steps that remove your FaxTalk Messenger Program Manager group).
  3. A warning box displays notifying you that when you uninstall FaxTalk Messenger you will also delete all associated files including fax document and phonebook files. Click Yes to continue with the uninstall process. Click No if you want to save these files and uninstall FaxTalk Messenger after you have saved them.

    Note: This is your last chance to save your voice messages, phonebooks, coversheets and file cabinet. If you do not save them, all files used by FaxTalk Messenger will be deleted including your saved fax and voice files.

  4. The Final Uninstall Steps instruction dialog box is displayed. There are a few files that you need to remove manually. Follow the listed steps to remove the additional files from your system. You can print the instructions or copy them to the Clipboard for easy reference.
  5. To complete the uninstall process click OK. Delete the listed files.
  6. Return to DOS and restart your computer.

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