Member Avatar for djm123

Hello., Any thoughts and or ideas if this is compatable with Vista and where exactly there would be a driver?

Secondly, since this Vista package does NOT have faxing in it, what are most of you doing to work around that issue?

Finally, any of you who use Verizon as an ISP., they offer a free virus guard package, TO MY knowledge the virus guard, spam ware are not compatable or are they with vista, any ideas on a universal or good package for protection?

Thank you.

David

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by chris5126

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Short answer for : Brother does provide support for the MFC‑5100C and a Full Driver & Software package (the MFL‑Pro Suite) that installs the printer, scanner and the Brother PC‑FAX utilities. Installing the full package (select the Windows Vista option on Brother’s downloads page) gives the best chance of restoring the scanner and fax features instead of relying on Windows’ generic driver. (support.brother.com)

About faxing: Windows Vista’s built‑in Windows Fax and Scan is only available in the Business/Enterprise/Ultimate family of Vista — Home editions often don’t include it — so if that’s missing the Brother PC‑FAX feature (part of the MFL‑Pro software) is the practical workaround. PC‑FAX requires the MFC connected to a working telephone line and the Brother utilities (ControlCenter / PC‑FAX setup) to be installed; the model’s manual and Brother help pages show the exact steps. (learn.microsoft.com)

Security notes tied to ’s post: Vista is end‑of‑life (extended support ended April 11, 2017), so antivirus and security-product compatibility will be limited long‑term. The built‑in Windows Firewall in Vista is capable (it supports advanced inbound/outbound rule control), but many users prefer a third‑party firewall UI like ZoneAlarm for easier prompts. Several AV vendors have since stopped full product support for Vista (Avast/AVG’s last full consumer builds for XP/Vista were in 2018), so upgrading the OS is the safest route. (support.microsoft.com)

Practical steps (quick):

  • Download the Brother Full Driver & Software Package for MFC‑5100C and run the installer; choose Local/USB when prompted and connect the MFC only when the installer asks. (help.brother-usa.com)
  • Configure PC‑FAX from Brother Utilities / ControlCenter if Windows Fax isn’t present. (help.brother-usa.com)
  • For security, prefer a supported Windows release with a current AV suite; if staying on Vista, confirm any AV vendor’s docs for Vista support and understand that protection will be progressively limited. (support.microsoft.com)

This adds detail to ’s suggestions (drivers plus possible built‑in/basic driver behavior) and shows the specific Brother features that restore fax/scan functions.

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Member Avatar for chris5126

right avg is a good anti virus and zone alarm is a good free firewall but there are loads out there.

Fax software: google it there must be some out there and it must be the only work around as there is no current support on vista.

Driver: This would be the site to keep an eye on there are none there currently but its updating regularly if you email them they will prob let u know a release date. And have you tried just plugin it in there might be a preinstalled driver just with not as many functions.

Member Avatar for djm123

I thank YOU chris for the great response, just tell me ZONE ALARM, now doesnt Vista have a built in Firewall, what is the difference VS zone alarm>

Member Avatar for chris5126

its just a little bit more user friendly and has a few more options for creating rules and allowing programs certain access.

But vista firewall is more than adequate.

Glad I was able to help add to my rep if you found it useful!

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