Printer drivers won't load %@#$%@!!!

[whyzee]

I just bought a new computer, everything has been loaded and works great... except for the printer.
I was running Win98 on my old 333mhz box and had no problems.
Now, with this new 1.8ghz I've got Win XP home and when I try to load the printer software I get this message:

You are running Windows NT 3.95. Brother MFL-Pro does not support this version of Windows NT.
YOU MUST UPGRADE TO WINDOWS NT 4.0 AND REINSTALL MFL-Pro!!


This printer is a Brother, MFC-7150C, it's an all in one: printer, scanner, coppier, fax, ... and only a few years old, but still a great printer. (point is I don't want to have to replace it.)
Does anyone have any ideas? Is there an upgrade or patch to go from NT3.95 to NT4.0?
I'll bring a pair of grips (of choice) to DW03 for the spode who helps me get this thing a printing.

 

[Zenith]

Are you trying to install the Brother drivers in XP? Those drivers don't work, you need to uninstall all the Brother drivers you installed and use the XP built in driver. Find some more info here >> http://www.brother.com/E-ftp/windowsxp/us.html

 

[marcusgunby]

The microsoft site has a compatability list and patches etc.Also check the manufacturers website.

 

[toalco-kdx]

We had the same thing happen with our printer when we got XP. We also have a all in one printer but its a HP. Just go the the printers manufacterer's website and look for downloads and then do what it tells you to do. Or you could call the companys customer support and they will tell u what to do.

 

[whyzee]

Zenith, thanks for the addy, looks like it may work, ... but first, ...

Marcus, I've been to the Windows Update site and processed all the updates and service packs. There in lies the problem, do I have to buy another version of XP, (NT 4.0) this version seems to be the shortfall not the fact that it's XP. I have found nothing at: http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ that will upgrade my version from 3.95 to 4.0 ... Still looking though.

Thanks Toalco, I'll give 'em a call if I can't find something through Windows.

 

[Chili]

I think that message is a bit of a red herring. Win XP home is a newer version of the OS than NT 4.0 is so something is being misidentified.

 

[Papakeith]

I had a cannon mutltifunction jobbie. I had to boot to a dos prompt to load the drivers.(Yes, this was according to the Canon drivers help.txt) This was for Win 98.

 

[MrLuckey]

There is nothing wrong with the version being identified as NT 4.0, thats the was the original XP Home was shipped. If you go to 'my computer' and then 'properties' it should say 'system:' the under than Windows XP, under that 'home edition' under that 'Windows NT 4.0., then under that is should have what 'service pack' you are at. You do not have the latest updates as mine used to say Windows NT 4.0 but after the latest update it now says 'version 2002'.

I think you will need to get your version up to Version 2002 and then definitely use the built in XP drivers or get special XP drivers from the manufacturer.

I'll look around and see if I can find the XP update for you, oh yeah, I am on service pack 1.0

 

[Smit-Dog]

I am assuming that the new computer came pre-loaded with XP, and based on your post, that you tried to install the print drivers that came with the printer originally. If that's correct, then that's the problem. Old printers developed/tested on previous may not work/be compatable with a newer operating system.

1) First off uninstall the old print driver if possible.

2) I'd be surprised if XP did not have native drivers for the printer - as long as it's a fairly mainstream model/manufacturer, and less than 8--10 years old. Try adding a printer manually and specify the manufacturer / model to see if there's a pick for it.

3) The manufacturer's web site is ultimately the best place to find correct/updated drivers. Go there and follow their instructions for installing it.

Good luck!

 

[MrLuckey]

Try going here to force your computer to search for OS updates:
http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp
FYI - Click on the scan for updates link.

For some reason microsoft has several websites for updates and sometimes you won't find what you need at one place, I know the 'auto updater' doesn't seem to be as up to date as the web site listed above.

After you have the latest OS update go here to check for the latest service pack:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=FH;[LN];sp&

FYI I had a few minor device problems until I got up to Version 2002 AND service pack 1. If you have the time or inclination go here to see the MANY items that service pack 1 fixes:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=/support/servicepacks/windows/xp/sp1fixlist.asp

Also you can check here for features that the 'BUILT IN' XP driver will and won't support:
http://www.brother.com/E-ftp/windowsxp/f_us/mfc-7150c.html

 

[whyzee]

Chili, I have to agree that the message struck me as wierd too. I understand it has a self contained version of NT though.

Smit-Dog, The Brother drivers never loaded, all I ever got was the message as shown above. XP has a generic driver for the printer but it will not allow the full use, ie scanner, high res printing, computer out faxing. The Mfgr site for Brother that Zenith provided says I'm stuck with limited use... period. I guess I'm now on a quest to see if there is an NT 4.0 upgrade for XP Home.

TTR, there is a much faster way to get your Sys Info than that. :confused: Anyway... Since I bought the Puter on Friday, I have sucessfully installed 31 updates, patches, downloads, tools, and service packs. Everything that is an "Available Update" has been down-loaded. Of all those updates, and other various searches, nothing changed the NT version.

FYI, I have provided my SYS inf in the hopes someone has a higher version and can tell me how they got there.

OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 1 Build 2600
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name TPCHOMES
System Manufacturer eMachines, Inc.
System Model Imperial
System Type X86-based PC
Processor x86 Family 15 Model 1 Stepping 3 GenuineIntel ~1794 Mhz
BIOS Version/Date Phoenix 6.00, 8/26/2002
SMBIOS Version 2.31
Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS
System Directory C:\WINDOWS\System32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1
Locale United States
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "5.1.2600.1106
User Name TPCHOMES
Time Zone Eastern Standard Time
Total Physical Memory 512.00 MB
Available Physical Memory 364.68 MB
Total Virtual Memory 687.40 MB
Available Virtual Memory 348.50 MB
Page File Space 433.41 MB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys