Chapter 2
Getting Started

Before installing FaxTalk Plus, you should have already connected your modem (internal or external) to your computer and verified it's operation.

What You Need to Get Started
FaxTalk Plus for Windows requires the following hardware and software to send and receive faxes.

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

Installing the Software
To install FaxTalk Plus for Windows:

  1. Insert the backup copy of FaxTalk Plus disk 1 into your A: drive.
  2. If you are using a floppy drive designated other than A:, substitute the appropriate drive letter.
  3. Launch Windows. Select File > Run from the Program Manager or if you are using Windows 95, click on the Start menu and select Run .
  4. Type A:\SETUP in the Command Line text box, and click OK.
  5. The FaxTalk Plus Installation Options dialog box appears. The default installation selections are to install FaxTalk Plus and to configure the software based on your hardware configuration. Click OK to continue with the installation.
  6. If you are using a target directory other than C:\FAXPLUSW, indicate the appropriate drive and directory when prompted.
  7. Follow the screen prompts.

Configuring FaxTalk Plus for Windows
After the appropriate FaxTalk Plus files have been transferred to your system, you need to indicate how you want FaxTalk Plus to interface with your modem, phone line and recipients. The following configuration screens let you specify Modem, User, Fax, Answering, and Dialing parameters.

If you are re-installing FaxTalk Plus or updating your installation, you can just modify the configuration settings you specify without having to re-enter 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 Options
The modem options include modem type, initialization string and port. Select your modem from the Modem Type list. Normally, you won't need to modify the initialization string. If you want to modify it, refer to your fax modem documentation for details. Select the COM port your modem is connected to from the Port list.

Note: Be sure to verify that there are no other devices currently assigned to the selected COM Port. COM Port conflicts prevent the use of the modem. COM Ports 1 and 3, and 2 and 4, share IRQs. If you have a device assigned to COM Port 1 or 3 (such as a mouse), select COM Port 2 or 4. If you have a device assigned to COM Port 2 or 4, select COM Port 1 or 3.

Maximum Speed
Select the maximum speed at which your modem is capable of transmitting and receiving. Refer to your modem manual to determine your modem's maximum speed.

Speaker
Select when you want your modem's speaker enabled by clicking on the desired speaker mode. Select the desired modem speaker volume from the Volume list.

Click the Next Screen button to continue configuring FaxTalk Plus.

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 check box 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. When the check box is empty the header information is not included on faxes you send.

Include Header Fields
The Header fields include Page Number, User ID, Date & Time, and Fax #. Click on the Page Number check box to include the page numbers in the header information. Click on the User ID check box to include the User ID in the header information. Click on the Date & Time check box to include the date and time of the fax transmission in the header information. Click on the Include Fax # check box to include your Fax phone number in the fax header information.

Click the Next Screen button to continue configuring FaxTalk Plus.

Configure Fax Parameters
The Fax Configuration dialog box (Figure 2-3) displays.


Figure 2-3. Fax 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. Modify the parameters for specific changes to send a fax with a different configuration.

Resolution
Click on the radio button which indicates the resolution of most of your fax transmissions (Standard or Fine). Faxes sent in Fine mode are clearer but take longer to transmit.

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

Options
The transmission options include 2-D Encoding and Error Correction Mode. Click on the 2-D encoding option to decrease data transmission time. In order to use this option, the receiving party must also support 2-D encoding. Click on the Enable Error Correction Mode (ECM) option to ensure clean transmissions in case of poor quality or noisy phone lines. This option can only be used if both the sending and receiving modem support error correction.

Page Size
Select the page size you will be faxing most often by clicking on the desired size.

Click the Next Screen button to continue configuring FaxTalk Plus.

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


Figure 2-4. Answer Configuration Dialog Box

Auto Answer After _ Rings:
Click on the check box to indicate whether you want FaxTalk Plus to automatically answer the phone. If you have enabled Auto Answer, click on the up or down arrow to increase or decrease the number of rings to wait before FaxTalk Plus answers the phone.

Receive Options
The Receive Options include Flash Icon on Receive and Print Received Faxes. Click on the Flash Icon on Receive check box to indicate that you want FaxTalk Plus to notify you by flashing the FaxTalk Plus icon. Click on the Print Received Faxes check box to indicate that you want FaxTalk Plus to automatically print new faxes you receive.

Click the Next Screen button to continue configuring FaxTalk Plus.

Configure Dialing Parameters
The Dialing Configuration dialog box (Figure 2-5) displays.


Figure 2-5. Dialing Configuration Dialog Box

The Dialing Parameters specify how FaxTalk Plus places fax calls.

Dialing Prefix
Make an entry in this field only if your phone 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 pause the modem momentarily) in the text box. This allows your phone system to connect with an outside line before dialing the desired phone number.

Local Area/Country/City Code
Enter your current local area code or city and country codes. FaxTalk Plus examines this field before dialing. If you are making a local call, FaxTalk Plus automatically strips 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.

Click the Continue button to complete the FaxTalk Plus configuration.

FaxTalk Plus Load Options
After installing and configuring FaxTalk Plus, you are prompted to specify whether you want to load FaxTalk Plus automatically whenever you start Windows. Click on Load FaxTalk to have instant access to FaxTalk Plus when you use Windows, or click Don't Load FaxTalk to let you start the application when you wish.

An information box indicating the FaxTalk Plus for Windows setup is complete displays. Press Enter to clear the message and display the Leave FaxTalk Plus for Windows Setup screen.

Leave FaxTalk Plus for Windows Setup
In order for the installation and configuration information to be recognized by Windows, you need to exit and restart Windows. From this dialog box you can Restart Windows so you can use FaxTalk Plus immediately, Return to Windows and perform other duties before restarting , Return to DOS and launch Windows at a later time, or Reboot System. You must restart Windows before trying to send or receive faxes.

Modifying the Configuration
If you discover that the information entered during the FaxTalk Plus for Windows setup needs to be modified, you can modify the configuration from within FaxTalk Plus for Windows using the Configuration menu options.

Uninstalling FaxTalk Plus for Windows
FaxTalk Plus includes an uninstall option in the Setup program. Uninstalling the program is a simple procedure.

To uninstall FaxTalk Plus for Windows:

  1. Click on the FaxTalk Plus Setup icon from the FaxTalk Plus Program Group.
  2. Click on the Remove FaxTalk Plus for Windows from your system check box. Note that this deselects the other installation and configuration options. Click OK to begin the uninstall process
  3. A warning box displays notifying you that when you uninstall FaxTalk Plus you will also delete all associated files including fax document and phone book files. Click Yes to continue with the uninstall process. Click No if you want to save these files and uninstall FaxTalk Plus after you have saved them.

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

  4. The Final Uninstall Steps instruction dialog box appears. 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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