Does anyone still make a W11 USB fax/modem with certified digital drivers?

Sammy888 · Aug 13, 2022

I know, there are ways to bypass digital signing but in my experience they cause problems and a lot of frustration. Moreover, it's always a temporary fix, in the best scenarios. I just gave up on that approach. In my old XP days I had a PCI card modem but it was slow, even back then for sending faxes. I'm not even sure if I kept a backup of the drivers for it.

Anyway, I was browsing on Amazon and the have very few USB fax/modems which supposedly are W10 compatible are nearing the $100 mark. I can get a Brother stand-alone fax/scanner and printer for about $150 Canadian so the USB fax/modem that are sold on Amazon are absurdly overpriced. But at least they're digitally signed. The other ones only say W7/W8 compatible, if that.

And if readers want to know why would I need such a thing? In Canada with our broken healthcare system, physicians and many levels of government(s) still insist on sending and receiving faxes (or mail) because they've been gaslight to believe that email should never be used. In fact, some physician's offices still use the push and slide credit card payment processing system (does anyone remember that)? Being old and sickly sucks!

I suppose in the worst case scenario, I can re-connect my W7 system and try to see if the old PCI card will work, assuming I can find compatible fax software for it.

hsehestedt · Aug 13, 2022

Out of curiosity, have you considered a fax service? There are a number of services that will give you a fax number, but you need no physical fax machine. You compose an e-mail and attach any documents you want to fax, and off it goes.

I have no idea on pricing, but I wonder if such a service might be a good alternative. Just put "fax service" in your search engine.

Berton · Aug 13, 2022

Both of my printers MFP have Fax capability but an issue with other folks is whether they are still using the landline, a lot of stand-alone fax machines rely on that. None of my computers have the dial-up capability except a Toshiba running MS-DOS 6 with Windows 3.1. Windows Accessories in Win10 has Fax and Scan function.

hsehestedt · Aug 13, 2022

I just took a look at Amazon and I see many USB Fax MODEMs in the US $40 price range. Pair that with Windows Fax and Scan and you are good to go.

bobkn · Aug 13, 2022

Maybe this one: USR5638 It's a PCI-E X1 card.

The drivers for it only list support through Windows 10, but I'd expect them to be good for 11 as well.

If you're willing to wait for delivery from China, Newegg has a bunch of similar (identical?) external modems with a USB interface for approx. $20US.

Sammy888 · Aug 14, 2022

hsehestedt said:
I just took a look at Amazon and I see many USB Fax MODEMs in the US $40 price range. Pair that with Windows Fax and Scan and you are good to go.

You should look closely and see if it's Windows 10/11 compatible. None at that price range are.

bobkn said:
Maybe this one: USR5638 It's a PCI-E X1 card.

The drivers for it only list support through Windows 10, but I'd expect them to be good for 11 as well.

If you're willing to wait for delivery from China, Newegg has a bunch of similar (identical?) external modems with a USB interface for approx. $20US.

I'm looking for USB version. None from China are W10/W11 compatible. Newegg was the first place I looked. I didn't see what your're referring to for $20 US and W10 compatible. Besides, the last thing I'd want to do is trust a Chinese "unknown/no name" brand with my privacy.

Sammy888 · Aug 14, 2022

hsehestedt said:
Out of curiosity, have you considered a fax service? There are a number of services that will give you a fax number, but you need no physical fax machine. You compose an e-mail and attach any documents you want to fax, and off it goes.

I have no idea on pricing, but I wonder if such a service might be a good alternative. Just put "fax service" in your search engine.

I thought about that. They can be quite pricey at ~ $20 USD month + setup fees and have limits. No thanks.

hsehestedt · Aug 14, 2022

Ahh, yes. I was not aware that they were that expensive. That's rather crazy.

bobkn · Aug 14, 2022

Sammy888 said:
You should look closely and see if it's Windows 10/11 compatible. None at that price range are.

I'm looking for USB version. None from China are W10/W11 compatible. Newegg was the first place I looked. I didn't see what your're referring to for $20 US and W10 compatible. Besides, the last thing I'd want to do is trust a Chinese "unknown/no name" brand with my privacy.

OK. Maybe this one: US Robotics. USR claims Win 10 support. It's about $45 at NewEgg, but it's sold by a third party. There are cheaper ones at Amazon.

You may have trouble finding one with official Win 11 support. Maybe buy it from Amazon for their return policy. If the drivers don't work on the first attempt, maybe try compatibility mode.

Good luck.

hsehestedt · Aug 14, 2022

I'm seeing several here in the US at around the UD $40 price range. Some are software MODEMs but StarTech has a hardware based USB FAX MODEM for about $40. I like the idea of USB because it can easily be moved from system to system.

Sammy888 · Aug 18, 2022

hsehestedt said:
I'm seeing several here in the US at around the UD $40 price range. Some are software MODEMs but StarTech has a hardware based USB FAX MODEM for about $40. I like the idea of USB because it can easily be moved from system to system.

Sorry, I don't see what you see. Perhaps post some links?

Sammy888 · Aug 18, 2022

bobkn said:
OK. Maybe this one: US Robotics. USR claims Win 10 support. It's about $45 at NewEgg, but it's sold by a third party. There are cheaper ones at Amazon.

You may have trouble finding one with official Win 11 support. Maybe buy it from Amazon for their return policy. If the drivers don't work on the first attempt, maybe try compatibility mode.

Thanks. I see it for around $45 on Amazon USA also sold by a third party called Moofin. I think as long as the digitally signed drivers apply to W10 it will be fine on W11.