Ways to receive a FAX?

So I have what i think is a simple question.

I have an external modem. Is it posible for the phone to answer the phone when i do as if it was listening in, when it hears a fax transmition, it takes the call and i can simply hang up, then when the fax has been received, it hangs up.

I know of the answer after 5 rings and the manual. But it's 2009, is it incorporated or is there a 3rd party software that can detect once i answer if my call is a fax and take it or see it's not a fax and disconnect?

Thanks in advance,
Joe

When a fax is being sent-the machine plays a tone if a fax machine answers and hears that tone it replies and the 2 fax machines connect.

If you answer the call, hear the tone, click on your fax software to answer now then hang up the handset it should work.

When fax machines were common there were switches that would pick up on the first ring, listen for the fax tone and switch the call to ring through to the phone or fax machine. Most stand alone fax machines have the capability built in. (I searched fax switch on eBay and a variety of choices came up.)