Busy signal when using a dedicated fax line

[Tweetums]

Hello.

Here's the scenario:

An office with two phone lines, one of which is a dedicated fax line. When the computer is hooked up to the fax line, the modem (56k) detects a busy signal when it tries to dial into the ISP. But when it is hooked up to the regular phone line, it connects just fine.

A regular phone has been hooked up to the fax line to test the line and it can dial out.

It's essential that the regular phone line be kept open.

Any ideas or suggestions?

 

[DavidDCSA]

Perhaps there was an incoming call to your fax number when the PC was connected, this would have eliminated dial tone.
Another possibility, was the PC the only device on the line in question, or was the fax machine still connected?

 

[compgirlfhredi]

Is the fax machine plugged thru a phone line enabled surge protector?