Yes, MS does not include fax with Vusta home Baisic, nor is it on the OS disk as it was for XP and Win 98se. That is one of the reasons i choose to dual booted with XP.
i have tried no freeware fax for Vista HB. Your options would be to try these http://www.absolutelyfreebies.com/misc_free_stuff/free_faxing.html
Or try internet Fax:
FaxZero
“It’s free and lets you send a PDF or Word document to any fax number in the USA. FaxZero prints an ad on the coversheet, but leaves the main pages uncorrupted (Ad-free faxes are about two bucks). The test fax I sent arrived quickly and with a very crisp, clear resolution.
You’re limited to 2 free 3-page faxes a day, and your file attachment size limit is 10MB. The ad, while not something you’d like on professional business faxes, isn’t too bad - oh, and the cover sheet with the ad doesn’t count toward your 3 page limit. What do you use to send internet faxes? Let us know in the comments. — Gina Trapani
http://lifehacker.com/software/fax/faxzero-sends-free-faxes-219570.php
More at the above and below sites:
Another option is to get a free Live Cd of a Linux distro that has fax included. Puppy linux might have that, but you need to have a dial up modem connected. And sometimes they are not easy to configure. Write back for more help.
Try K7.net for incoming faxes...it’s a free fax to email system. Just use it once a month or so and maintain the same number. For outgoing fax give www.faxaway.com a try. Outgoing faxes are @ $0.10 a minute.
I would suggest, that if you're in need of a new printer, to get a good multi-function from Canon, HP, Epson.... that includes fax capabilities. They're able to operate stand alone from the PC or in conjunction with the PC.
As for on-line fax services; I'm wary of them regardless of their stated privacy policies. Faxes are usually used to send personal information and sending via the internet to a fax service just adds another avenue for interception. If it were encrypted for transmission to the fax service, and it used a strong encryption, it might lessen my paranoia, but I think I'll just stick with my multi-function printer.
I’m not sure if I understand the question. We have e-fax and broadband connection. Works great. Using XP on a Dell 8400.
Also check out www.innoport.com. It’s a web based fax service (send from and receive into email - no fax modem required). I’ve been using it for about four years now and am very satisfied. At the time I signed up it was a better deal than efax, though I don’t know if that has changed.