printer sharing on home network with different o/s

[Charlene]

My NEW "server" computer # 1 has Windows Vista Home Premium SP1/ 32 bit.

I have a Brother MFC 8440 (multifunction printer/copier/fax/scan). It is
directly (usb cable) hooked up to the server computer # 1.

I have 2 other computers, on a home network, both using XP Pro. They are
networked through a router, to my "server".

They see the server and it sees them. They are the in same workgroup and the
networking part seems to be ok. (I say this because I can access/share files
among them. They also all work with another HP deskjet printer- no downloads
or modifications were necessary there.)

All was well, until I got the server computer # 1 with Vista.

Now, since I recently hooked up the NEW server computer ( using Vista) , The
server computer # 1 works fine with the Brother MFC but the other machines
don't work with the Brother MFC.

I assume this is because of incompatible operating systems. I thought the
answer might be in downloading a Brother driver (which one and to which
computer?) but cannot confirm this.

I tried calling Brother tech support and Best Buy tech support (they sold me
Vista computer) but no one really knows what to do. Someone suggested calling
microsoft tech support (LOL).

Can this be resolved with drivers, or configuring something somewhere or is
it hopeless? No where can I find anything that says you can't mix vista with
xp and share a printer.

I am no techie, so please talk to me in simple, simple language. thank you1

Charlene

 

[Jack \(MVP-Networking\).]

Hi
All in One printers are hard to share, under most circumstances only the
printing would be shared.
Try to install the printer through Win XP control pane add a network printer
and provide it with the Brother XP drivers.
http://www.ezlan.net/prtserver.html
Vista File and Printer Sharing-
http://www.microsoft.com/techn...evaluate/vista_fp.mspx
Jack (MVP-Networking).

 

[ed a]

Try installing the Brother software CD on the other computers