I had a fax line installed about 6 years ago and shortly after, also connected it to my computer. For these past 6 years I have connected to the Internet at 50+ Kbps on a consistent, daily basis with no problems whatsoever. A month ago we had an electric storm, followed by a second one a week later. This phone line went out both times; had 6 different repairmen here, and the line is still not working properly. Connection speeds vary from 2, 19.2, 21.6, 26, 28 Kbps. They contend they can't restore my service as it's been for 6 years! Why? Is it true that fax lines use 4 wires and phones only 2? Can I fix this myself?? PLEASE help! My son is going to Iraq next week-end with the Marine Corp. and I need my Internet connection speed back!

"Is it true that fax lines use 4 wires and phones only 2?"


No.

There is no such thing as a fax line.

It is just another POTS (plane old telephone service) line. It uses 2 wires.

What might be confusing is that often phone wiring is 4 wire cables. The voice line will be on the first pair and the fax on the 2nd pair, thus 4 wires are in used. 2 for voice and 2 for the fax line.

Newer cables often have 6 or 8 wires in them and will support 3 or 4 difference lines.

Plug a phone into the fax jack and make a call. If you hear hum, cracklying or other noise then there is a problem with the line.

Go to the NIC (network interface conection). It is a gray box on the side of the house. Open in up and you will see pair of telelphone jacks and plugs on a short cord.

One will be for the fax line and one for the voice line.

Unplug the one for the fax and plug in the test phone.

If you get noise here then the problem is on the phone companys wiring.

If you don't get it her, but get it inside then it your internal wiring.