Receiving faxes and other calls – Brother INTELLIFAX 3550 User Manual

Page 76

7-11

3550-US-5.0

Using the Activation Code

When you are at the fax machine, you will probably answer incoming calls before your fax
machine or answering machine is programmed to pick up. If you answer a call and no one
seems to be on the line, assume it is a fax message. Do not hang up.

You must activate your

fax machine to take over the call first. (If you are holding the fax handset, just press the Start key
and hang up.) If you are on an extension/external phone, press

51 and wait for your fax

machine to respond before you hang up.

After 3 seconds you will hear receiving tones (chirps)

through the handset of the extension phone. Then hang up. You can repeat the code as many times
as needed. Your fax machine will take over the call and print the fax message. If your caller wants
to talk before sending the fax, you can have a conversation first and then activate your fax
machine with the code.

The Remote Activation Code also can be used by your callers. When you are using a TAD, your
outgoing message (OGM) should end with the statement “to send a fax, press

51”. (See the

section on Connecting a Telephone Answering Device for more information.)

Using the Deactivation Code

When your fax machine is in F/T mode, sometimes it will answer a call that is not fax calling tones
(a telephone call or manual fax). It will respond with a double ring (short, short) to alert you to
take over. Because it has already answered the call, only the fax machine will ring, extension
phones are no longer connected to the call. Pick up any phone on the line, except an external phone
connected to the fax machine.

To take over the call at the fax machine:

Pick up the handset of the fax machine and talk to the caller as usual. If no one is there or someone
is trying to send you a manual fax, press the Start key and replace the handset. Your fax machine
will display RECEIVING and print the incoming fax message.

To take over the call at an extension phone:

Pick up the handset on another telephone and press #51 quickly during the silence between

press #51 quickly during the silence between

the double ring pattern.

the double ring pattern. When the fax machine hears the code it will stop ringing and let you
speak with the caller. If no one is on the line or someone is trying to send you a manual fax, send
the call back to the fax machine (

51).

Making the Remote Codes Easier to Use

You can change the codes at any time. It may be easier for you and your callers to press the same
key three times (Example:

***

and ###). Although you can change the codes to any numbers you

want, try to avoid using digits for the Activation Code. The Remote Activation Code can not match
any number you dial. If you try to dial a phone number that includes the Activation Code, your
fax machine will go into receiving mode.

Troubleshooting

Sometimes other equipment on your phone line reserves a key that is in the Activation or
Deactivation code. (Some answering machines reserve the “

” key.) If the code you use to retrieve

messages from your answering machine causes the line to be disconnected, try changing the
Remote Codes. Change

51 to ### and #51 to 999. The Remote Activation and Deactivation Codes

may not work with some telephone systems or telephone sets.

NOTE

NOTE: If you accidentally pick up an extension phone when a fax message is being received, you

may disrupt the transmission or render some portions unreadable.

REMOTE ACTIVATION

RECEIVING FAXES AND OTHER CALLS