HP 640 Fax...can't recieve faxes

Unplug the HP from the phone line. Connect any regular phone, do you have a calling signal? Can you outdial and receive calls? If so... Check if you're plugging the phone cable to the "LINE" not "EXT".

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=buu02151&tmp_task=solveCategory&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&lang=en&product=3366990

while the printer is powered on.....unplug the power module and then press and hold the # 3 button at the same time......while holding the two buttons reconnect the power module......will fix the problem.

Unfortunately wer purchased two new hp office jet 7610 which do not come with cabling and we could not get the fax to work. I spent 3 days on the telephone with hp and British Telecom each of which blamed it on each other. After doing some research on the internet I discovered that hp require a strange cable formant which is called a 'cross-over cable' is required. I bought them from cabling4less.co.uk and the product code is BT-203X. They can be found on their web site www.cabling4less.co.uk The link is: http://www.cabling4less.co.uk/category.php?cat_id=237 This should resolve this frustrating problem.

Since the fax machine is about 4 weeks old, why not give it back to HP? Warranty still covers it.

once you dial the number you fax will automatically start sending the the Fax signal which sounds like short beeps. This is done so the receivers phone (when answered) will recognized the beeps and switch to fax receive mode.  If you are getting the recording that you mentioned above, that means the number you dialed was not successful in making the connection.  Once you dial the number you should hear the phone ringing followed by some churping noises when the other end answers the call... then other churping and gargle like sounds initially as the fax proceeds.  
sounds like your are having trouble with the number you are dialing.
Hope this helps..
~enov8

what does the display reed. To receive fax automatically the display needs to reed
( fax mode or auto ) . If in the manual mode you need to pick up the receiver listen for the tones then press start.

make sure the phone cord from the wall jack is from the wall to the line connection MOT THE EXT. CONNECTION on the fax ( nothing in between the wall & fax )

hope this works
C.W.H.

Plug a regular phone into the wall jack to verify that you have a dial tone.

Error : Ext. phone to receive

Here is the manual,
http://www.retrevo.com/search/v2/jsp/downloadPage.jsp?doc=02c3572ff6a11ac342ae55fe4e15c1a2&q=hp+1040+fax&e=1

check the conection in the back 1st (In HP fax basics)

my fax not recieve faxes.