Fax Machine Repair
Facsimile or fax machines, once only used by big businesses, are found in millions of homes and home offices. They are inexpensive and most can double as a telephone. And they are relatively trouble free. When one does decide to act up, threaten to fix it!
How Does It Work?
A fax machine is an electronic device that scans a paper image and transmits it by modem to another fax machine.
A document fed into a fax machine passes over a device containing a single row of light detectors. The device scans the page, producing an electrical signal of varying voltage that represents the dark and light parts of the page. The pattern is sent along a telephone line to the receiving fax machine that decodes the signal and translates it into an exact image, a facsimile.
The two types of fax machines, plain paper and thermal, are distinguished by the paper they use. A thermal fax machine contains a thermal printer with heating elements that prints rows of dots on a roll of heat-sensitive paper. A newer plain-paper fax machine contains an ink-jet or laser printer to print a copy of a document being sent to it.
What Can Go Wrong?
Either type of fax machine contains few serviceable parts. Routine maintenance, however, will help avoid most problems. The best course of action is to use quality supplies and periodically clean the machine.
Fix-It Tip
The first thing to check with a problem fax machine is the incoming telephone line and connections. If in doubt about the incoming line, plug a standard telephone into the phone plug on the wall and listen for a dial tone.
How Can I Identify the Problem?
Symptoms will help you determine the cause. If the unit won’t work, make sure the power is on at the outlet and test the electrical cord .
If the fax can’t send or receive documents, make sure that the phone line is connected and not damaged. Check to be sure the line is plugged into the correct fax port. Test the wall jack and replace it if it is faulty (see the Telephone System Fix-It Guide).
If the fax can send but not receive (or vice versa), check the phone line as above and replace the lamp if burned out.
If the fax still will not function properly, take the unit to a service center or replace the unit.
If there are marks or blank spots on incoming documents, open the cover and clean the glass with a clean lint-free cloth dampened with denatured alcohol.
If a plan-paper fax leaves marks or blank spots on documents, open the cover and wipe up any spilled toner. Clean corona wires if dirty, or replace the drum if damaged, following the manufacturer’s instructions for replacement.
If a thermal fax won’t print, locate the thermal head and clean it by wiping it with a clean lint-free cloth dampened with denatured alcohol. Make sure that the paper is installed correctly because the printer will print on only the coated side.
Fix-It Tip
Periodically clean out the interior of a fax machine with denatured alcohol and canned air, following the directions in the unit’s owner’s manual.
What Parts, Materials, and Tools Do I Need?
There are so many models of fax machines that replacement parts are best found through the original manufacturer or authorized parts supplier. To disassemble and check a fax, you’ll need some tools:
- Screwdrivers
- Denatured alcohol
- Canned air
- Lint-free cloth
- Small brush
What Are the Steps to Fixing It?
To service a plain-paper fax, refer to the Computer Printer Fix-It Guide .
Service a thermal fax:
- Unplug the unit from the power source and the incoming telephone line.
- Open the unit and wipe the platen using a cloth dampened with denatured alcohol.
- Allow the platen to dry thoroughly before use.
- Use a small brush or canned air to remove dirt and dust from the paper trough.
- If accessible, wipe the exposure lens and mirrors with a lint-free cloth.
Replace the exposure lens in a thermal fax:
- Unplug the unit from the power source and the incoming telephone line.
- Turn the unit over and remove the bottom housing.
- Once the bulb is cool, twist it out and pull it from the socket.
- Replace the bulb with an identical model, avoiding touching it.
Caution!
Keep fax machines away from heat sources that can dry out paper, chemicals, or toner.
Brought to you by our friends at http://fixitclub.com
The Benefits Of Internet Fax Service by Chris Haycox
Why Internet Fax?
As our technological limitations decrease, expectations for speedy communication increases. Running a successful business in our modern times, requires keeping up to date with modern technology. While traditional fax machines may play a key role in your business, there are some major advantages to Internet Fax Service. You may want to switch over completely, or simply add online faxing to your existing method. Either way, the benefits just may be that boost in efficiency that your business needs.
I Will Take That Technology To Go, Please
Maybe you are working from home for the day, maybe you are on a business trip, or tending to a few quick work items during a vacation. Wherever you may be, it is away from the office, and away from your fax machine. So what do you do, when faced with that request to fax it over as soon as you can? Connect from anywhere with two key ingredients: a computer, and the Internet. Online faxing gives you freedom to travel and remain in touch wherever your job, or life may take you. An Internet cafe in a sunny beach town may just be your new office for a week, making significant progress and managing the important communications on the big project while steps from the water, in the sun, and on the same page with everyone.
Reduce Costs With a ‘Two for One’ Deal
Let’s talk dollars, for a moment. Chances are, you already have an Internet connection. Sending online faxes allows your cost of faxing to be absorbed by what you already pay for your online connection. So why pay twice? You already pay for the Internet, why shell out for a fax line as well? As well as the cost of the necessary phone line, you are also eliminating the costs of toner, paper, maintenance, possible repairs, and the fax machine itself. Saving on anything, in our demanding economy, can help your business. Reducing communication costs, by using Internet faxing, is an easy way to keep your budget down.
Faster Than the Line-Up For Your Daily Latte
Sending faxes online, much like an email, is faster than a traditional fax. To further hurry things along, you don’t need to fill out cover sheets, or wait for each individual page to feed through the machine. Your faxes can be multiple pages, all sent out at one time. All you need to do is hit the send button and get back to your work. Save even more time communicating, by receiving and sending multiple faxes to multiple recipients at the same time. Reaching many recipients at once, allows you to quickly get everyone on the same page. The increase in productivity may leave you wondering what to do with your newly found spare time. If you do happen to get stuck in that latte line-up, you can review your documents from your smart phone, while you wait.
Keep Your ‘Fax’ Straight
Accessing and organizing documents is more efficient than ever. By filing faxes on the computer, you can access them easily with a quick search. You can share documents, review and revise, or archive for later, all without ever having search through the filing cabinet. You can even collaborate with larger groups, with more in-depth information and visualizations. Each member of a large group of contributors can receive the important images, edits, modifications, or tables of data necessary for successful business transactions. Since you are sending and receiving documents electronically, and many do not need to be printed, you are reducing paper waste and clutter. A picture is worth a thousand words – sometimes more – thus the streamlined, speedy, readily available method of getting everyone on the same page has enduring positive benefits on the manner of doing business.
Not Just For Surfing Anymore
Enabling your business with an Online Fax service allows you to save money, time and energy on communicating. Faster, more efficient communication, is an easy way to boost your productivity. Saving money doesn’t hurt either. You will also drastically decrease paper waste, simplify your work day, and be surprised at the ease in which you can be organized and efficient. Using the Internet to your advantage is a great way to maximize your potential for a successful business.
About the Author
Metro Hi Speed is a leader in internet fax solutions for any sized business. Less expensive and more reliable than traditional fax services – you’ll enjoy the convenience and well as the cost. Visit us today for more information on our small business and corporate fax solutions
Fax Machine Repair – Do It Yourself and Save
My fax machine is leaving a line down my page. What should I know?
Stop! Don’t spend $100.00 on a fax repair you may be able to do yourself. Fax machines are notorious for leaving unwanted lines, stripes or smudges down the middle of your document. Here are a few easy steps you can take to determine whether or not to call a technician.
Do your recipients get a line when receiving faxes from you? Try making a test copy. If there is no line when you make a copy then more than likely the problem is in your recipient’s fax machine! Why? Because when you make a copy on your fax machine you use the same scanner that scans outgoing documents. Your own copy quality is a good indicator of what your fax recipient should be receiving. Tell your recipient to read the rest of this article.
Did the line appear when you made a copy? Then there is probably a bit of grit or whiteout on the glass over which your outgoing page passes. Most fax machines open up like a clam to reveal a 1/2″ (or so) wide piece of glass that extends the width of the machine. The glass strip protects the scanner beneath or is a part of the scanner assembly. Sometimes to see the glass better you have to release small plastic catches on either side of the document feeder (the part you are lifting up). This usually can be accomplished easily by gently prying the catches with your index finger or a small screw driver. Use a very mild soap and your fingernail to loosen the grit or whiteout. Gently rub dry and… congratulations! You just saved yourself or your boss from $50 to $100, depending on the honestly of your favorite technician.
Still getting a line? Most fax machines print a report or have a feature where you can ask it to print a journal of recent transactions. Printing a report does not employ the scanner, so if you are still getting a line down the page when printing a report OR receiving a fax from another machine, then the problem may be the corona wire or worse. Do NOT be alarmed. Brother built corona wires right into their user friendly, replaceable drums. Just take the drum out of the machine and look for+ a bluish, plastic tab. Move the tab back and forth, then put the drum assembly back in place.
Oh, wait! Before you put the drum back in reach your hand, palm up, into the housing where the drum goes and see if you can feel a strip of glass across the width of the upper portion of the drum housing. Some machines have a window there that gets clouded or speckled by caked toner. Use a lint free piece of cloth or the underside of your tee-shirt to rub clean. Tuck your tee-shirt in and throw it in the wash later.
Oops, if your machine uses inkjets rather than toner then you just stained your tee-shirt. Sorry about that. Do you know the difference between a laser fax and an inkjet fax machine? The easy answer is that laser faxes use the large cartridges and inkjet fax machines use tiny, very, very expensive (for their size) cartridges. Oh, and laser faxes are usually black and white whereas inkjet fax machines almost always print in color, as well as black and white. Clean your laser fax with just about anything because toner is easy to clean. Clean your inkjet machine with water or water and soap. Most inkjet products today are water soluble.
If you are still getting a line and your eyes have not completely glazed over, look for my next article on the topic. I will cover a few more line causers for fax machines. I will also answer the problem: “I can send faxes but not receive them.” If you have questions or comments, feel free to drop me a… line.
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Michael Edwards has been self employed for over twenty years, since 1989, repairing computers, printers, fax machines and even printers in San Diego, and now in San Luis Obispo County. His website is http://www.accuteksite.com. In SLO County Mike works with Alltech Computer Repairs. See them at http://www.alltechslo.com. Michael, along with his wife, Shay, have expanded their efforts to include internet marketing. Find him on Facebook as Mike Richard Edwards. From 2003 through 2009 Michael was Assistant Pastor at Serra Mesa Christian Fellowship. Michael has a B.A. in psychology from San Diego State University and an M.A. in Counseling Psychology at National University. Commensurate with decades of experience teaching the Bible and performing individual and marriage counseling, he will soon be opening a daily devotional blog for Christian businessmen and women. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Richard_Edwards |
Fax Machines & Printers : How to Use a Brother Fax Machine
Using a Brother brand fax machine requires first installing the drum, toner and phone line, putting the paper into the paper tray and dialing the fax number before pressing start. Use a Brother fax machine to fax up to 20 documents at a time with information from a business machine repairman in this free video on fax machines and printers. Expert: Steve Munoz Bio: Steve Munoz has 32 years of experience repairing and selling business machines, such as fax machines, printers, cash registers, typewriters and shredders. Filmmaker: Todd Green
Selectronics Inc
Choose Selectronics Incorporated when you need service for your fax or printer. We service a wide variety of machines and brands but that’s not all. We are a first-rate document solution center for your business. We also sell printers, fax machines and copiers with the same high quality you get with our service. www.dexknows.com