When I push the speaker button, no dial tone, can't hear the conversation through speaker. can hear the tones when the number is being dialed, but then it goes dead. Only handset works.

Check out the settings there may be a setting for key pad tone. (off).

Do you put the handset back in its cradle when you party answers?

the number is busy. Try pressing the monitor button and listening for a dial tone. No dial tone means your phone line is not working. If you have dial tone, dial the number you wish to fax and listen to see if it picks up. If you get a busy signal, or hear someone answer, that is why it's not working. If you hear the fax tones, press start and send your document. This is a way to fax that allows you to hear the whole process.

Try setting it on pulse, then hear it click when you push the number, if it works switch it back and try agian

Hello,
Here are the commands to run the phones memory dial (speed-dial).  I have included the instructions for deleting and changing numbers as well.  It is listed below.  I hope this helps you out.
Ken

MEMORY DIAL INSTRUCTIONS Store up to ten 20-digit numbers in memory for quick dialing. Storing a Number in Memory 1. Make sure the phone is OFF (not in TALK mode). 2. Press the MEMORY button. 3. Press a number (0-9) to store the dialed number in that memory location. 4. Press the MEMORY button again. 5. Use the handset number keypad to enter the telephone number (up to 20 digits, including pauses) and press the MEMORY button again to save the number. The unit beeps to confirm. 6. To enter another number in a different memory location, return to step 1 and repeat the process.
Storing a Redial Number 1. Repeat steps 1 through 4 in Storing a Number in Memory. 2. Press the REDIAL button. 3. Press the MEMORY button to store the number. You will hear a confirmation tone.
Changing a Stored Number 1. Repeat steps 1 through 6 in Storing a Number in Memory. 2. Press the MEMORY button to store the number. You will hear a confirmation tone. The old number will be overwritten with the new number.
Dialing a Stored Number 1. Make sure the phone is ON by pressing the TALK button. 2. Press the MEMORY button. 3. Press the number (0-9) for the desired memory location. The number dials automatically. Inserting a Pause in the Dialing Sequence Press the PAUSE# button once to insert a delay in the dialing sequence of a stored telephone number. A pause is needed to wait for a dial tone (for example after you dial 9 for an outside line, or to wait for a computer access tone). Each pause counts as 1 digit in the dialing sequence. If you need a longer pause, press the PAUSE# button twice.
Deleting Stored Numbers 1. Press the MEMORY button. 2. Press the desired memory location (0-9). 3. Press the MEMORY button twice to delete the entry. 4. You will hear a confirmation tone.

The problem was the main phone line not the phone itself

First make sure that the fax button has been pushed and is llit...

The 2820 should have a handset. In order to use manual transmission (when you get to hear all the beeps and whistles) you will need to load the document then pick up the handset. then dial the number, when you hear the recieving fax tone then hit the start button.

The 2820 should also have a hook hold button pressing this will allow you to hear the dial tone and the numbers you dial along with the receiving fax tone. If you dont hear anything when you press this button then you may want to use the volume buttons to increase the volume.

Also remember that if you have not picked up the handset or pressed he hook/hold button the unit will use automatic mode, which is to say that all you will do is load the document, dial the number, and then press the start button.

for my phone I hold down the flash key then the menu comes up and you can press * for tone or # for pulse. Hope it helps!

In General Electric (GE):

TONE/PULSE DIALING
To set to tone or pulse dialing:
1. Press and hold the program button for two seconds. You will hear a beep.
2. Press the *tone button to select Tone Dialing or press #pause to select Pulse Dialing.
3. Press the program button again. You will hear a confirmation tone.

Lisa, If the 900MHZ phone is Model 26928M programming for rotary dial usually goes like below, can't hurt to try on any model. TONE/PULSE DIALING This adjustment allows you to select tone (touch-tone) or pulse (rotary) mode dialing. The phone is pre-set for touch-tone use. To set to tone or pulse dialing: 1. Press and hold the program button for two seconds. You will hear a beep. 2. Press the *tone button to select Tone Dialing or press #pause to select Pulse Dialing. 3. Press the program button again. You will hear a confirmation tone.