Fax App Recommendations

Robert H. Perry rperry at gti.net
Thu Dec 1 05:53:02 GMT 2005


Daniel wrote:
> On 12/1/05, Robert H. Perry <rperry at gti.net> wrote:
> 
>>Daniel wrote:
>>
>>>On 11/30/05, Robert H. Perry <rperry at gti.net> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>Robert H. Perry wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>Robert H. Perry wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>Currently running FreeBSD RELEASE 5.4 and a MultiTech Voice/Data/Fax
>>>>>>modem for dialup internet service on a server-type machine.  I also
>>>>>>run another machine with 3 operating systems (FreeBSD 5.4, Suse 9.2,
>>>>>>and Windows XP).
>>>>>>
>>>>>>My original objective was to install Hylafax on the server and share
>>>>>>it with the other 3 systems.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>I ran into a couple of errors early on and seeked some help from the
>>>>>>mailing list.  Got one response suggesting I reinstall the app from
>>>>>>source.
>>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>I was preparing to respond to a reply when Thunderbird sent the original
>>>>to never-never-land.  Sorry.  Here's the problem I encountered.
>>>>
>>>>I was running the sendfax command to test my installation and received
>>>>an unexpected error message.  I used the command taken from the
>>>>sendfax man page as follows:
>>>>
>>>>"sendfax -n -d (destination fax#) /etc/passwd
>>>>"sendfax: no files to send
>>>>"usage:..."
>>>>
>>>>I reran it using the -x <debug> option and the message indicated:
>>>
>>>
>>>What version of hylafax was installed?
>>
>>hylafax-4.2.1_3
>>
>>>Make sure you install gawk.
>>
>>gawk-3.1.1_1 installed
>>
>>>The native awk binary in FBSD is nawk (not gawk) which caused me some
>>>greif with hylafax scripts.
>>>
>>>So, update ports. Remove hylafax. Install gawk. Reinstall hylafax.
>>
>>Hope you noticed the second note sent last night.  This one was sent
>>unfinished.  Also note that I have mgetty-1.1.33 installed.
> 
> 
> I don't have mgetty installed, but I do have hylafax 4.2.1_1
> installed, gawk 3.1.1_1, and some mime ports (mime-support and
> metamail) to allow for sending electronic faxes via e-mail to people
> in our company.
> 
> I issued the exact same sendfax command:
> # sendfax -n -d 5551212 /etc/passwd
> 
> Of course changing 5551212 for one of my faxes and it sent fine.
> 
> When I started this course of action in setting up hylafax I had no
> idea about faxes either.
> I basically followed the instructions on
> http://www.hylafax.org/howto/install.html#ss2.2
> 
> I skipped section 2.2.3 because hylafax was installed. I didn't
> install mgetty either.
> 
> I added the line:
> cuaa0   "/usr/local/sbin/faxgetty"      dialup  on  secure
> Into /etc/ttys under serial consoles (location probably don't matter)
> and then ran:
> init q
> to rescan the /etc/ttys file.
> 
> You also want to copy /usr/local/etc/rc.d/hylafax.sh.sample to
> /usr/local/etc/rc.d/hylafax.sh. This doesn't use rcng so you can just
> run /usr/local/etc/rc.d/hylafax.sh start which will/should fire up the
> hylafax daemon.
> 
> You don't need to worry about the cronjobs (they're there for cleaning
> up and can be delt with later).
> 
> So at this point, make sure you do init q and run the rc.d/hylafax.sh
> start or just reboot.
> 
> Provided that you completed 2.2.4 (adding modems and configuring setup
> in general) without any dramas at all from the howto you should be
> able to run the sendfax command.
> 
> Are you also certain your modem is operating correctly? You could run
> the bash shell and then type echo atdt089231414141414 > /dev/cuaa0 and
> the modem should dial whatever number after atdt and you should either
> hear it through the modem speaker, see it with the lites on the modem
> or the phone should ring (if you put your phone number or mobile
> number in).
> 
> You should also try using the basic default settings for adding new modems.
> 
> If you havn't removed hylafax and reinstalled (making sure that the
> deinstall deleted everything) I'd do that now.
> 
> To make sure all files it creates are gone you could run:
> pkg_info -L hylafax\* > hylafax-files
> 
> Then deinstall hylafax
> 
> Then: cat hylafax-files and see if any of the files listed still exist.
> 
> I hope this helps a bit more.
> 
> 
Dan,
This will be a tremendous help.  I already see answers to questions I 
hadn't posted yet and suggestions which will help me better understand 
some of the printed material.  Will keep you posted.

Bob Perry


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