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Q107393: Fax Modem Class Required for Binary File Transfers

Article: Q107393
Product(s): Microsoft Windows 3.x Retail Product
Version(s): WINDOWS:3.11
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 30-OCT-1999

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows for Workgroups version 3.11 
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SUMMARY
=======

With Microsoft At Work PC Fax version 1.0 (supplied with Microsoft Windows for
Workgroups 3.11), if you want to perform binary file transfers or use the
advanced security features, you must use a Class 1 fax modem at both ends of the
communication. This article provides instructions to determine what class of fax
modem you have.

MORE INFORMATION
================

Use the following procedure to determine what class of fax modem you are using:

1. Load the Terminal application provided with Windows for Workgroups and
  configure it with the correct settings for your modem.

2. In the Terminal window, type the following:

  AT+FCLASS=?

The modem should respond with one of the following strings of numbers:

  0

  -or-

  0,1

  -or-

  0,1,2

  -or-

  0,2

These strings can be interpreted as follows:

  0 = Data

  1 = Class 1

  2 = Class 2

Class 1 and Class 2 are standards that define an interface with an asynchronous
serial bidirectional data stream between the computer and the fax modem. Fax
modems can be members of more than one fax class. For example, if the result of
the above procedure was "0,1,2," the fax modem would belong to the Data, Class
1, and Class 2 categories.

Microsoft At Work PC Fax software can send a fax as a graphical image (facsimile
format) or as a Microsoft Mail message in binary form (electronic mail format).

The ability to send a fax in binary form allows you to send attachments, such as
Word for Windows documents or Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, to remote locations
without having to use communications software (such as Terminal). These
attachments can also be edited, whereas a fax transmitted in the facsimile
format cannot be edited.

Without a Class 1 fax modem on both the sending and receiving ends of a fax
transmission made with At Work PC Fax, faxes always transfer as graphical images
that can be viewed and printed only.

At Work PC Fax also provides advanced security features to ensure the security of
faxes by encrypting them. An encrypted fax cannot be read by anyone except the
intended recipient. These security features include password encryption, key
encryption, and the ability to apply a digital signature to the fax.

To use the security features provided by At Work PC Fax, both the sender and the
recipient of the fax must be using Microsoft At Work PC Fax and Class 1 fax
modems so that the fax can be transmitted in the electronic mail binary file
format.

Additional query words: 3.11 type E-Mail

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Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbAudDeveloper kbWFWSearch kbWFW311
Version           : WINDOWS:3.11

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