Can you show us which modem you are looking at? Have you looked at any Fax over IP options? They require no hardware, it's just a software package that utilizes your high speed internet connection. Some examples would be RightFax, MyFax or eFax.

I think you misunderstood. My post indicates external. If you type external fax modem into eBay it will show you the picture. The services you are talking about have been around for a long time. I used them way back with dial-up and I never cared for it because they offered you a free phone number that was not even in your area code (efax) and if you wanted one for your area code, you paid for it. Anyway, someone on another forum explained it to me. Thanks for your answer though.

there are a lot of internet faxing options many are free some charge a fee if the size is large.
FaxZero.com
do a google search for "internet faxing"

what type of internet connections are you using, what type of modem or router? which version of windows? Are you certain there is not a built in modem in your pc already? most have them and they are generally fax modems. You could run belarc advisor on your pc and get a list of what is on it.

go to this link, in the tutorial box scroll to item 100 it gives you the directions to how to use fax in windows wizard.
Windows XP - Tips for Email, IM and Faxing!

Here is a link that might be useful: belarc

My mistake. I did see that you indicated external, just noticed that you were attempting to save space. I'm glad you found help.

Hi. I was also looking for the same info. I found some useful information related to computer faxing over at http://computerfaxing.org

Hope that helps!

Here is a link that might be useful: computer faxing

I would think it would work the same as an internal fax modem.
You plug it into a phone line, bring up your document to fax,
then print to fax (specify fax as the printer).
It should give you the option to enter the fax number
or get it directly from your address book (easiest way).

If you don't have fax as one of the printer options then
you need to install fax software. I use the Windows fax
software that comes on the OS disk. It doesn't always get
installed by default when the OS is installed. If not,
then you will have to install it or another fax software.

Pooh Bear

External modems that I am familar with require a driver. If you are lucky, your version of Windows may already have a driver for your particular modem. If not, you will need to get one. A popular modem that has worked well for me for over 9 years is US Robotics. At present, I'm not using it because recently, I swithced to DSL.

So far as I know, there is no difference in operating a USB port or Serial port modem - The only difference is the port used.

Some laptops may have a built-in modem. If a laptop has a modem, it will have a phone jack (and does not need an external modem).