Just got a fax/printer/scanner, do I leave it connected to the phone?

Just got a fax/printer/scanner, do I leave it connected to the phone?

• I never had a fax. I don't know what I'm doing. I have a home line. Do i leave my fax connected? Do I pay extra? Does it hold up my phone line? Like ppl can call me?

• Answer:

  sure you can leave it plugged into your line... if you do i would recommend that you set the fax machine to manual so that the fax does not pick up the line when people call you... with the machine set to manual, you would need to press the start button to accept incoming faxes... another idea would be to connect the fax to the jack, then your phones to the fax machine, set the fax to FAX/TEL - then your fax would answer all calls after 1--2 rings, if it is a fax call it will print out... if it is a voice call it will ring the phones that are connected to the fax machine... another option would be to order distinctive ringing from your phone company (for about $5 per month) which gives you a new phone number with a different ringing pattern... if your fax machine supports distinctive ringing, it will only answer calls with this special ringing pattern... (you need to set the settings on your fax for this feature)