phone fax machine answering machine share line auto answer

[PhilipH3]

I have the answer already...  The problem is receiving faxes when sharing 1 phone line with a fax machine (in my case an all-in-one hp 8720) and a voicemail answering machine.  In addition to the directions found online and in the manuals (wiring the phone line thru the fax to the answerer, setting the ring count higher on the fax than the answerer, etc)  I discovered that the answering machine's voicemail greeting should begin with 3 seconds of silence.  This helps the fax to detect fax tones sent from the caller as soon as, but not before,  the ansering machine picks up the call.  During this interval, both machines are active and listening, so the fax can "hear better" if the greeting stays quiet for a few seconds.  When the fax does detect the tones, it grabs the call away from the answerer (which it can do because of the wiring configuration), then the answerer detects an abandoned call and goes back to sleep.  In a voice call, the absence of tones  causes the fax to time out, leaving only the answerer connected.

Why isn't this in the manuals??

[Treeko]

Hi @PhilipH3 

Welcome to HP Support Community. 

Thank you for posting your query. I will be glad to help you.

To understand the issue and help you, please get back to me with the details listed below:

- Exact model number of your HP Product (if you need help, click here for information on how to find your model name).

Note: Do not share any of your personal information such as serial, phone number, email ID, etc.

Take care and have a good day.

Treeko
HP Support