How can I stop my fax from cutting out and trying to answer a telephone call?

My fax and telephone are on the same line. I have had 2 different fax machines, and the same thing happens. If the fax is left on, and somebody rings on that line the fax cuts in and all the person calling hears is a screatching tone, like on a modem. How can I stop this? Do I need a special fax machine or do I need a type of filter on my line? If so which one, and if there is a picture of it that would be great. Thankyou

Have you tried to disable your Call Waiting, or what ever is ringing through to the fax? There should be a way to disable it just while you use the fax machine.

How many rings is it before the fax machine picks up?
If you can change the number of rings (before fax pickup) to something like 6, 8, or 10 then that gives you more time to answer phone before fax picks up.

This should be quite simple. You can set your fax to manual mode, in which case you will have to press start each time you wish to answer a fax. If you receive many faxes then another alternative (depending on your fax machine) is to set your fax to a higher number of rings allowing you more time to answer your phone before it does automatically. Some fax machines also have dual modes where the fax detects if it is a voice or fax call.

fax should be set to "tel/fax"

fax should connect to phone jack, phone should connect to fax

if that dosent work you will need to buy a fax switch at staples or office max