Vista - Brother MFC-4550 Plus driver not working with Vista

Any ideas on how to get the Windows Vista Home Premium(64-bit) "built in"
driver for a Brother MFC-4550 Plus to work ? I have called Brother and
they throw up their hands and say it is Microsoft who needs to resolve this
problem - Brother also says that the MFC-4550 Plus needs the "BMFC virtual
port" for this to work.

I'll send this to the Brother driver developer here. I take it the BMFC
port was not created when you plugged the device into the USB port.

--
Alan Morris
Windows Printing Team
Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

"CG-Jenkintown" <CG-Jenkintown@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:97C5D65C-E327-45AE-9B3C-C305B506EB74@microsoft.com...
> Any ideas on how to get the Windows Vista Home Premium(64-bit) "built in"
> driver for a Brother MFC-4550 Plus to work ? I have called Brother and
> they throw up their hands and say it is Microsoft who needs to resolve
> this
> problem - Brother also says that the MFC-4550 Plus needs the "BMFC virtual
> port" for this to work.

Thanks Alan! You are correct. The BMFC port was NOT created when I plugged
the device in - however, the Brother MFC-4550 Plus is a PARALLEL port
connection.


"Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:

> I'll send this to the Brother driver developer here. I take it the BMFC
> port was not created when you plugged the device into the USB port.
>
> --
> Alan Morris
> Windows Printing Team
> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
>
> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
>
> "CG-Jenkintown" <CG-Jenkintown@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:97C5D65C-E327-45AE-9B3C-C305B506EB74@microsoft.com...
> > Any ideas on how to get the Windows Vista Home Premium(64-bit) "built in"
> > driver for a Brother MFC-4550 Plus to work ? I have called Brother and
> > they throw up their hands and say it is Microsoft who needs to resolve
> > this
> > problem - Brother also says that the MFC-4550 Plus needs the "BMFC virtual
> > port" for this to work.
>
>
>

Brother sent me mail that they do not support this device on x64



From: Satoshi Matsu (Brother Japan)

Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 1:45 AM

To: Alan Morris

Subject: RE: Brother MFC-4550 Plus driver not working with Vista



Hi, Alan-san.

Currently, We have no release plan of multifunction MFC-4550+ driver for
Vista 64bit

because of hardware compatibility issue.

It's old device.

"BMFC" is our own solution for multifunction via parallel.

Best regards.

Satoshi Matsu



--
Alan Morris
Windows Printing Team
Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

"CG-Jenkintown" <CGJenkintown@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:4258BF24-CAF9-4958-94FE-1500AEE0A28F@microsoft.com...
> Thanks Alan! You are correct. The BMFC port was NOT created when I
> plugged
> the device in - however, the Brother MFC-4550 Plus is a PARALLEL port
> connection.
>
>
> "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
>
>> I'll send this to the Brother driver developer here. I take it the BMFC
>> port was not created when you plugged the device into the USB port.
>>
>> --
>> Alan Morris
>> Windows Printing Team
>> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
>> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
>>
>> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
>> rights.
>>
>> "CG-Jenkintown" <CG-Jenkintown@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
>> message
>> news:97C5D65C-E327-45AE-9B3C-C305B506EB74@microsoft.com...
>> > Any ideas on how to get the Windows Vista Home Premium(64-bit) "built
>> > in"
>> > driver for a Brother MFC-4550 Plus to work ? I have called Brother
>> > and
>> > they throw up their hands and say it is Microsoft who needs to resolve
>> > this
>> > problem - Brother also says that the MFC-4550 Plus needs the "BMFC
>> > virtual
>> > port" for this to work.
>>
>>
>>

On Wed, 21 Feb 2007 13:06:08 -0800, "Alan Morris [MSFT]"
<alanmo@online.microsoft.com> wrote:

>Brother sent me mail that they do not support this device on x64
>
>
>
>From: Satoshi Matsu (Brother Japan)
>
>Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 1:45 AM
>
>To: Alan Morris
>
>Subject: RE: Brother MFC-4550 Plus driver not working with Vista
>
>
>
>Hi, Alan-san.
>
>Currently, We have no release plan of multifunction MFC-4550+ driver for
>Vista 64bit
>
>because of hardware compatibility issue.
>
>It's old device.
>
>"BMFC" is our own solution for multifunction via parallel.
>
>Best regards.
>
>Satoshi Matsu
>
>
>
>--
>Alan Morris
>Windows Printing Team
>Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
>http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
>
>This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
It is a fairly old model :-/

Similar experience upgrading Brother Software (W3.1 -> W95) for my
MFC 4500ML that used the Serial Cable for the Fax and Control
Settings
I had even paid for the upgraded Fax/Scan package :-( on W3.1
The Fax and Scanner part were Brother proprietary and I could not use
Win-Fax or others. The (upgraded version) Canadian company was
un-responsive to bugs (FAX failed when program was installed on a
drive other than C: . Found remnants of the temp files (in C: root)
from a failure). Toughy lucky on $90 software upgrade.
Everything works for my networked MFC-8820DN from Vista except the
Fax. That I can do from any W98, W2K or XP machine on my network if
not using a hard copy original. :-)
The MFC 45series is still a good printer. Just use HP Lj 2 drivers.
Steve U

Thanks Steve. Are you recommending any of the HP LaserJet 2000 series of
drivers for my MFC-4550 Plus to be able to print ?


"Steve Urbach" wrote:

> On Wed, 21 Feb 2007 13:06:08 -0800, "Alan Morris [MSFT]"
> <alanmo@online.microsoft.com> wrote:
>
> >Brother sent me mail that they do not support this device on x64
> >
> >
> >
> >From: Satoshi Matsu (Brother Japan)
> >
> >Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 1:45 AM
> >
> >To: Alan Morris
> >
> >Subject: RE: Brother MFC-4550 Plus driver not working with Vista
> >
> >
> >
> >Hi, Alan-san.
> >
> >Currently, We have no release plan of multifunction MFC-4550+ driver for
> >Vista 64bit
> >
> >because of hardware compatibility issue.
> >
> >It's old device.
> >
> >"BMFC" is our own solution for multifunction via parallel.
> >
> >Best regards.
> >
> >Satoshi Matsu
> >
> >
> >
> >--
> >Alan Morris
> >Windows Printing Team
> >Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
> >http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
> >
> >This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
> It is a fairly old model :-/
>
> Similar experience upgrading Brother Software (W3.1 -> W95) for my
> MFC 4500ML that used the Serial Cable for the Fax and Control
> Settings
> I had even paid for the upgraded Fax/Scan package :-( on W3.1
> The Fax and Scanner part were Brother proprietary and I could not use
> Win-Fax or others. The (upgraded version) Canadian company was
> un-responsive to bugs (FAX failed when program was installed on a
> drive other than C: . Found remnants of the temp files (in C: root)
> from a failure). Toughy lucky on $90 software upgrade.
> Everything works for my networked MFC-8820DN from Vista except the
> Fax. That I can do from any W98, W2K or XP machine on my network if
> not using a hard copy original. :-)
> The MFC 45series is still a good printer. Just use HP Lj 2 drivers.
> Steve U
>

Thanks Alan. But why would there be a Brother MFC-4550 driver that came with
the Vista Premium 64-bit OS and why would Brother's website claim that the
driver for this printer was a "built-in" in the OS ?

"Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:

> Brother sent me mail that they do not support this device on x64
>
>
>
> From: Satoshi Matsu (Brother Japan)
>
> Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 1:45 AM
>
> To: Alan Morris
>
> Subject: RE: Brother MFC-4550 Plus driver not working with Vista
>
>
>
> Hi, Alan-san.
>
> Currently, We have no release plan of multifunction MFC-4550+ driver for
> Vista 64bit
>
> because of hardware compatibility issue.
>
> It's old device.
>
> "BMFC" is our own solution for multifunction via parallel.
>
> Best regards.
>
> Satoshi Matsu
>
>
>
> --
> Alan Morris
> Windows Printing Team
> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
>
> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
>
> "CG-Jenkintown" <CGJenkintown@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:4258BF24-CAF9-4958-94FE-1500AEE0A28F@microsoft.com...
> > Thanks Alan! You are correct. The BMFC port was NOT created when I
> > plugged
> > the device in - however, the Brother MFC-4550 Plus is a PARALLEL port
> > connection.
> >
> >
> > "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
> >
> >> I'll send this to the Brother driver developer here. I take it the BMFC
> >> port was not created when you plugged the device into the USB port.
> >>
> >> --
> >> Alan Morris
> >> Windows Printing Team
> >> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
> >>
> >> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
> >> rights.
> >>
> >> "CG-Jenkintown" <CG-Jenkintown@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
> >> message
> >> news:97C5D65C-E327-45AE-9B3C-C305B506EB74@microsoft.com...
> >> > Any ideas on how to get the Windows Vista Home Premium(64-bit) "built
> >> > in"
> >> > driver for a Brother MFC-4550 Plus to work ? I have called Brother
> >> > and
> >> > they throw up their hands and say it is Microsoft who needs to resolve
> >> > this
> >> > problem - Brother also says that the MFC-4550 Plus needs the "BMFC
> >> > virtual
> >> > port" for this to work.
> >>
> >>
> >>
>
>
>

Thanks Steve. I have now tried the HP LaserJet IIP Plus driver and it
prints, although it takes a very long time getting to the printer - I hope
this can hold out for me until as such time as MicroSoft or Brother put out a
genuine Brother driver that works for the MFC-4550 Plus on the Vista OS
(wishful thinking ?)

"Steve Urbach" wrote:

> On Wed, 21 Feb 2007 13:06:08 -0800, "Alan Morris [MSFT]"
> <alanmo@online.microsoft.com> wrote:
>
> >Brother sent me mail that they do not support this device on x64
> >
> >
> >
> >From: Satoshi Matsu (Brother Japan)
> >
> >Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 1:45 AM
> >
> >To: Alan Morris
> >
> >Subject: RE: Brother MFC-4550 Plus driver not working with Vista
> >
> >
> >
> >Hi, Alan-san.
> >
> >Currently, We have no release plan of multifunction MFC-4550+ driver for
> >Vista 64bit
> >
> >because of hardware compatibility issue.
> >
> >It's old device.
> >
> >"BMFC" is our own solution for multifunction via parallel.
> >
> >Best regards.
> >
> >Satoshi Matsu
> >
> >
> >
> >--
> >Alan Morris
> >Windows Printing Team
> >Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
> >http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
> >
> >This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
> It is a fairly old model :-/
>
> Similar experience upgrading Brother Software (W3.1 -> W95) for my
> MFC 4500ML that used the Serial Cable for the Fax and Control
> Settings
> I had even paid for the upgraded Fax/Scan package :-( on W3.1
> The Fax and Scanner part were Brother proprietary and I could not use
> Win-Fax or others. The (upgraded version) Canadian company was
> un-responsive to bugs (FAX failed when program was installed on a
> drive other than C: . Found remnants of the temp files (in C: root)
> from a failure). Toughy lucky on $90 software upgrade.
> Everything works for my networked MFC-8820DN from Vista except the
> Fax. That I can do from any W98, W2K or XP machine on my network if
> not using a hard copy original. :-)
> The MFC 45series is still a good printer. Just use HP Lj 2 drivers.
> Steve U
>

I think the driver works but it's their BFMC port software that does not
work on x64.

I bet this will install fine on an x86 Vista machine. I assume the driver
they pick is the 4550. I assume the device prints using the IIP by
selecting the LPT Port.

The driver is marked with ExcludeFromSelect. This setting hides the driver
from the list you see

"Brother MFC4550/4550J" =
MS_BRM4550.GPD,LPTENUM\_Brother_MFC_45503455,Brother_MFC4550/4550J ;
Hardware ID

[ControlFlags]
ExcludeFromSelect=LPTENUM\_Brother_MFC_45503455


Let me know if you want to attempt to install the driver software on your
x64 machine.

--
Alan Morris
Windows Printing Team
Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

"CG-Jenkintown" <CGJenkintown@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:AC357C94-5173-4636-AF1C-8D0C3E9BF089@microsoft.com...
> Thanks Alan. But why would there be a Brother MFC-4550 driver that came
> with
> the Vista Premium 64-bit OS and why would Brother's website claim that the
> driver for this printer was a "built-in" in the OS ?
>
> "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
>
>> Brother sent me mail that they do not support this device on x64
>>
>>
>>
>> From: Satoshi Matsu (Brother Japan)
>>
>> Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 1:45 AM
>>
>> To: Alan Morris
>>
>> Subject: RE: Brother MFC-4550 Plus driver not working with Vista
>>
>>
>>
>> Hi, Alan-san.
>>
>> Currently, We have no release plan of multifunction MFC-4550+ driver for
>> Vista 64bit
>>
>> because of hardware compatibility issue.
>>
>> It's old device.
>>
>> "BMFC" is our own solution for multifunction via parallel.
>>
>> Best regards.
>>
>> Satoshi Matsu
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Alan Morris
>> Windows Printing Team
>> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
>> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
>>
>> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
>> rights.
>>
>> "CG-Jenkintown" <CGJenkintown@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:4258BF24-CAF9-4958-94FE-1500AEE0A28F@microsoft.com...
>> > Thanks Alan! You are correct. The BMFC port was NOT created when I
>> > plugged
>> > the device in - however, the Brother MFC-4550 Plus is a PARALLEL port
>> > connection.
>> >
>> >
>> > "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
>> >
>> >> I'll send this to the Brother driver developer here. I take it the
>> >> BMFC
>> >> port was not created when you plugged the device into the USB port.
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >> Alan Morris
>> >> Windows Printing Team
>> >> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
>> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
>> >>
>> >> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
>> >> rights.
>> >>
>> >> "CG-Jenkintown" <CG-Jenkintown@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
>> >> message
>> >> news:97C5D65C-E327-45AE-9B3C-C305B506EB74@microsoft.com...
>> >> > Any ideas on how to get the Windows Vista Home Premium(64-bit)
>> >> > "built
>> >> > in"
>> >> > driver for a Brother MFC-4550 Plus to work ? I have called
>> >> > Brother
>> >> > and
>> >> > they throw up their hands and say it is Microsoft who needs to
>> >> > resolve
>> >> > this
>> >> > problem - Brother also says that the MFC-4550 Plus needs the "BMFC
>> >> > virtual
>> >> > port" for this to work.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>>
>>
>>

Thanks Alan. Do I need to do something different ? When I first utilized
the Brother MFC4550/4550J driver a few days ago, Vista Premium would see the
printer and send my print job to the printer but it would hang - the printer
display said "Remained Data" - I tried numerous ways and times with the
Brother support folks who then concluded to me that the problem was not
theirs as it was a "built-in" driver and needed to be reported to Microsoft
and that the BMFC virtual port should be showing up.
I am willing to try anything - if it doesn't work at least now I know I can
print using the HP LJ IIP driver even though it is quite slow.


"Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:

> I think the driver works but it's their BFMC port software that does not
> work on x64.
>
> I bet this will install fine on an x86 Vista machine. I assume the driver
> they pick is the 4550. I assume the device prints using the IIP by
> selecting the LPT Port.
>
> The driver is marked with ExcludeFromSelect. This setting hides the driver
> from the list you see
>
> "Brother MFC4550/4550J" =
> MS_BRM4550.GPD,LPTENUM\_Brother_MFC_45503455,Brother_MFC4550/4550J ;
> Hardware ID
>
> [ControlFlags]
> ExcludeFromSelect=LPTENUM\_Brother_MFC_45503455
>
>
> Let me know if you want to attempt to install the driver software on your
> x64 machine.
>
> --
> Alan Morris
> Windows Printing Team
> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
>
> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
>
> "CG-Jenkintown" <CGJenkintown@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:AC357C94-5173-4636-AF1C-8D0C3E9BF089@microsoft.com...
> > Thanks Alan. But why would there be a Brother MFC-4550 driver that came
> > with
> > the Vista Premium 64-bit OS and why would Brother's website claim that the
> > driver for this printer was a "built-in" in the OS ?
> >
> > "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
> >
> >> Brother sent me mail that they do not support this device on x64
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> From: Satoshi Matsu (Brother Japan)
> >>
> >> Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 1:45 AM
> >>
> >> To: Alan Morris
> >>
> >> Subject: RE: Brother MFC-4550 Plus driver not working with Vista
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Hi, Alan-san.
> >>
> >> Currently, We have no release plan of multifunction MFC-4550+ driver for
> >> Vista 64bit
> >>
> >> because of hardware compatibility issue.
> >>
> >> It's old device.
> >>
> >> "BMFC" is our own solution for multifunction via parallel.
> >>
> >> Best regards.
> >>
> >> Satoshi Matsu
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> --
> >> Alan Morris
> >> Windows Printing Team
> >> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
> >>
> >> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
> >> rights.
> >>
> >> "CG-Jenkintown" <CGJenkintown@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:4258BF24-CAF9-4958-94FE-1500AEE0A28F@microsoft.com...
> >> > Thanks Alan! You are correct. The BMFC port was NOT created when I
> >> > plugged
> >> > the device in - however, the Brother MFC-4550 Plus is a PARALLEL port
> >> > connection.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > "Alan Morris [MSFT]" wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> I'll send this to the Brother driver developer here. I take it the
> >> >> BMFC
> >> >> port was not created when you plugged the device into the USB port.
> >> >>
> >> >> --
> >> >> Alan Morris
> >> >> Windows Printing Team
> >> >> Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
> >> >> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];kbhowto
> >> >>
> >> >> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
> >> >> rights.
> >> >>
> >> >> "CG-Jenkintown" <CG-Jenkintown@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
> >> >> message
> >> >> news:97C5D65C-E327-45AE-9B3C-C305B506EB74@microsoft.com...
> >> >> > Any ideas on how to get the Windows Vista Home Premium(64-bit)
> >> >> > "built
> >> >> > in"
> >> >> > driver for a Brother MFC-4550 Plus to work ? I have called
> >> >> > Brother
> >> >> > and
> >> >> > they throw up their hands and say it is Microsoft who needs to
> >> >> > resolve
> >> >> > this
> >> >> > problem - Brother also says that the MFC-4550 Plus needs the "BMFC
> >> >> > virtual
> >> >> > port" for this to work.
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
>
>
>