Brother MFC 250C User Manual

							USER’S GUIDE
MFC-250C
MFC-290C
 
Version 0
USA/CAN
 
						

							If you need to call Customer Service
Please complete the following information for future 
reference:
Model Number: MFC-250C and MFC-290C
(Circle your model number)
Serial Number:
1                                                                      
Date of Purchase:                                                                    
Place of Purchase:                                                                  
1The serial number is on the back of the unit. Retain 
this Users Guide with your sales receipt as a 
permanent record of your purchase, in the event of 
theft, fire or warranty service.
Register your product on-line at
 
http://www.brother.com/registration/
 
By registering your product with Brother, you will be recorded as the 
original owner of the product. Your registration with Brother:
„may serve as confirmation of the purchase date of your product 
should you lose your receipt;
„may support an insurance claim by you in the event of product loss 
covered by insurance; and,
„will help us notify you of enhancements to your product and special 
offers.
The most convenient and efficient way to register your new product is 
on-line at http://www.brother.com/registration/
© 2008 Brother Industries, Ltd.
 
						

							i
Brother numbers
IMPORTANT
For technical help, you must call the country where you bought the machine. Calls must be 
made from within that country.
 
Register your product
By registering your product with Brother International Corporation, you will be recorded as the 
original owner of the product. Your registration with Brother:
„may serve as confirmation of the purchase date of your product should you lose your receipt;
„may support an insurance claim by you in the event of product loss covered by insurance; and,
„will help us notify you of enhancements to your product and special offers.
Please complete and fax the Brother Warranty Registration And Test Sheet or, for your 
convenience and most efficient way to register your new product, register on-line at 
 
http://www.brother.com/registration/
 
FAQs (frequently asked questions)
The Brother Solutions Center is our one-stop resource for all your Fax Machine/Multi-Function 
Center needs. You can download the latest software documents and utilities, read FAQs and 
troubleshooting tips, and learn how to get the most from your Brother product.
 
http://solutions.brother.com/
 
Note
• You can check here for Brother driver updates.
• To keep your machine performance up to date, check here for the latest firmware upgrade (for 
Windows
® only).
 
For Customer Service 
Service Center Locator (USA only)
For the location of a Brother authorized service center, call 1-877-BROTHER (1-877-276-8437)
Service Center Locations (Canada only)
For the location of a Brother authorized service center, call 1-877-BROTHER.In USA:1-877-BROTHER (1-877-276-8437)
1-901-379-1215 (fax)
In Canada:1-877-BROTHER
(514) 685-4898 (fax)
 
						

							ii
Ordering accessories and supplies 
For best quality results use only genuine Brother accessories, which are available at most Brother 
retailers. If you cannot find the accessory you need and you have a Visa, MasterCard, Discover, 
or American Express credit card, you can order accessories directly from Brother. (You can visit 
us online for a complete selection of the Brother accessories and supplies that are available for 
purchase.) 
Note
In Canada only Visa and MasterCard are accepted.
 
1For more information about the replacement consumables, visit at www.brother.com/pageyield.
In USA:1-877-552-MALL (1-877-552-6255)
1-800-947-1445 (fax)
 
http://www.brothermall.com/
 
In Canada:1-877-BROTHER
 
http://www.brother.ca/
 
DescriptionItem
Ink Cartridge Standard 
LC61BK (Prints approx. 450 pages)
1
Ink Cartridge 
LC61Y (Prints approx. 325 pages)1
Ink Cartridge  (blue)
LC61C (Prints approx. 325 pages)1
Ink Cartridge  (red)
LC61M (Prints approx. 325 pages)1
Premium Plus Glossy Finish Photo 
Paper
(Letter size / 20 sheets)
(4×6 size / 20 sheets)BP71GLTR
BP71GP
Matte Finish Inkjet Paper
(Letter size / 25 sheets) BP60ML (USA only)
Plain Finish Inkjet Paper
(Letter size / 100 sheets) BP60PL100 (USA only)
Telephone Line Cord LG3077001 (USA only)
Users Guide LX1023001 (English for USA and Canada) 
LX1023002 (French For Canada)
 
						

							iii
Notice - Disclaimer of Warranties
(USA and Canada)
BROTHERS LICENSOR(S), AND THEIR DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS 
(COLLECTIVELY BROTHERS LICENSOR) MAKE NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, 
INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY 
AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, REGARDING THE SOFTWARE. BROTHERS 
LICENSOR(S) DOES NOT WARRANT, GUARANTEE OR MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS 
REGARDING THE USE OR THE RESULTS OF THE USE OF THE SOFTWARE IN TERMS OF 
ITS CORRECTNESS, ACCURACY, RELIABILITY, CURRENTNESS OR OTHERWISE. THE 
ENTIRE RISK AS TO THE RESULTS AND PERFORMANCE OF THE SOFTWARE IS 
ASSUMED BY YOU. THE EXCLUSION OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES IS NOT PERMITTED BY 
SOME STATES IN THE USA AND SOME PROVINCES IN CANADA. THE ABOVE EXCLUSION 
MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
IN NO EVENT WILL BROTHERS LICENSOR(S) BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY 
CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL OR INDIRECT DAMAGES (INCLUDING DAMAGES FOR 
LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF BUSINESS 
INFORMATION, AND THE LIKE) ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE 
SOFTWARE EVEN IF BROTHERS LICENSOR HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF 
SUCH DAMAGES. BECAUSE SOME STATES IN THE USA AND SOME PROVINCES IN 
CANADA DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR 
CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS MAY NOT APPLY 
TO YOU. IN ANY EVENT BROTHERS LICENSORS LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ACTUAL 
DAMAGES FROM ANY CAUSE WHATSOEVER, AND REGARDLESS OF THE FORM OF THE 
ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), PRODUCT 
LIABILITY OR OTHERWISE), WILL BE LIMITED TO $50.
Compilation and Publication Notice
Under the supervision of Brother Industries Ltd., this manual has been compiled and published, 
covering the latest product descriptions and specifications.
The contents of this manual and the specifications of this product are subject to change without 
notice.
Brother reserves the right to make changes without notice in the specifications and materials 
contained herein and shall not be responsible for any damages (including consequential) caused 
by reliance on the materials presented, including but not limited to typographical and other errors 
relating to the publication.
 
						

							iv
Brother® One-Year Limited Warranty and Replacement Service    
(USA Only)
Who is covered:
„This limited warranty (“warranty”) is given
only to the original end-user/retail
purchaser (referred to in this warranty as
“Original Purchaser”) of the accompanying
product, consumables and accessories
(collectively referred to in this warranty as
“this Product”).
„If you purchased a product from someone
other than an authorized Brother reseller in
the United States or if the product was used
(including but not limited to floor models or
refurbished product), prior to your
purchase you are not the Original
Purchaser and the product that you
purchased is not covered by this warranty.
What is covered:
„This Product includes a Machine and
Consumable and Accessory Items.
Consumable and Accessory Items include
but are not limited to print heads, toner,
drums, ink cartridges, print cartridges,
cordless handset battery, refill ribbons,
therma PLUS paper and thermal paper. 
„Except as otherwise provided herein,
Brother warrants that the Machine and the
accompanying Consumable and
Accessory Items will be free from defects in
materials and workmanship, when used
under normal conditions. 
„This warranty applies only to products
purchased and used in the United States.
For products purchased in, but used
outside, the United States, this warranty
covers only warranty service within the
United States (and does not include
shipping outside the United States). 
What is the length of the Warranty Periods:
„Machines: one year from the original
purchase date. 
„Accompanying Consumable and
Accessory Items: 90 days from the original
purchase date or the rated life of
consumable, whichever comes first.
What is NOT covered:
This warranty does not cover:
 
1 Physical damage to this Product;
2 Damage caused by improper installation,
improper or abnormal use, misuse, neglect
or accident (including but not limited to
transporting this Product without the proper
preparation and/or packaging);3 Damage caused by another device or
software used with this Product (including
but not limited to damage resulting from
use of non Brother
®-brand parts and
Consumable and Accessory Items);
4 Consumable and Accessory Items that
expired in accordance with a rated life;
5 Problems arising from other than defects in
materials or workmanship; and,
6 Normal Periodic Maintenance Items, such
as Paper Feeding Kit, Fuser and Laser
Units.
This limited warranty is VOID if this Product
has been altered or modified in any way
(including but not limited to attempted warranty
repair without authorization from Brother
and/or alteration/removal of the serial
number).
What to do if you think your Product is
eligible for warranty service:
Report your issue to either our Customer
Service Hotline at 1-877-BROTHER (1-877-
276-8437) or to a Brother Authorized Service
Center within the applicable warranty
period. Supply Brother or the Brother
Authorized Service Center with a copy of your
dated bill of sale showing that this Product was
purchased within the U.S. For the name of
local Brother Authorized Service Center(s),
call 1-877-BROTHER (1-877-276-8437) or
visit www.brother-usa.com. 
What Brother will ask you to do:
After contacting Brother or a Brother
Authorized Service Center, you may be
required to deliver (by hand if you prefer) or
send the Product properly packaged, freight
prepaid, to the Authorized Service Center
together with a photocopy of your bill of sale.
You are responsible for the cost of
shipping, packing product, and insurance
(if you desire). You are also responsible for
loss or damage to this Product in shipping.
What Brother will do:
If the problem reported concerning your
Machine and/or accompanying Consumable
and Accessory Items is covered by this
warranty and
 if you first reported the problem
to Brother or an Authorized Service Center
within the applicable warranty period, Brother
or its Authorized Service Center will repair or
replace the Machine and/or accompanying
Consumable and Accessory Items at no
charge to you for parts or labor. The decision
as to whether to repair or replace the Machine
and/or accompanying Consumable and
Accessory Items is made by Brother in its sole
 
						

							v
Brother® One-Year Limited Warranty and Replacement Service 
(USA Only)
discretion. Brother reserves the right to supply
a refurbished or remanufactured replacement
Machine and/or accompanying Consumable
and Accessory Items and use refurbished
parts provided such replacement products
conform to the manufacturer’s specifications
for new product/parts. The repaired or
replacement Machine and/or accompanying
Consumable and Accessory Items will be
returned to you freight prepaid or made
available for you to pick up at a conveniently
located Authorized Service Center.
If the Machine and/or accompanying
Consumable and Accessory Items are not
covered by this warranty (either stage), you
will be charged for shipping the Machine
and/or accompanying Consumable and
Accessory Items back to you and charged for
any service and/or replacement parts/products
at Brother’s then current published rates.
The foregoing are your sole (i.e., only) and
exclusive remedies under this warranty.
What happens when Brother elects to
replace your Machine:
When a replacement Machine is authorized by
Brother, and you have delivered the Machine
to an Authorized Service Center, the
Authorized Service Center will provide you with
a replacement Machine after receiving one
from Brother. If you are dealing directly with
Brother’s Express Exchange Service Brother
will send to you a replacement Machine
shipped for receipt within two business days,
with the understanding that you will, after
receipt of the replacement Machine, supply the
required proof of purchase information,
together with the Machine that Brother agreed
to replace. You are then expected to pack the
Machine that Brother agreed to replace in the
package from the replacement Machine and
return it to Brother using the pre-paid freight bill
supplied by Brother in accordance with the
instructions provided by Brother. Since you will
be in possession of two machines, Brother will
require that you provide a valid major credit
card number. Brother will issue a hold against
the credit card account number that you
provide until Brother receives your original
Product and determines that your original
Product is entitled to warranty coverage. Your
credit card will be charged up to the cost of a
new Product only if: (i) you do not return your
original Product to Brother within five (5)
business days; (ii) the problems with your
original Product are not covered by the limited
warranty; (iii) the proper packaging instructions
are not followed and has caused damage tothe product; or (iv) the warranty period on your
original Product has expired or has not been
sufficiently validated with a copy of the proof of
purchase (bill of sale). The replacement
Machine you receive (even if refurbished or
remanufactured) will be covered by the
balance of the limited warranty period
remaining on the original Product, plus an
additional thirty (30) days. You will keep the
replacement Machine that is sent to you and
your original Machine shall become the
property of Brother.
 Retain your original
Accessory Items and a copy of the return
freight bill, signed by the courier.
Limitations:
Brother is not responsible for damage to or
loss of any equipment, media, programs or
data related to the use of this Product. Except
for the repair or replacement as described
above, Brother shall not be liable for any
direct, indirect, incidental or consequential
damages or specific relief. Because some
states do not allow the exclusion or limitation
of consequential or incidental damages, the
above limitation may not apply to you.
THIS WARRANTY IS GIVEN IN LIEU OF ALL
OTHER WARRANTIES, WRITTEN OR
ORAL, WHETHER EXPRESSED BY
AFFIRMATION, PROMISE, DESCRIPTION,
DRAWING, MODEL OR SAMPLE. ANY AND
ALL WARRANTIES OTHER THAN THIS
ONE, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
INCLUDING IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE HEREBY
DISCLAIMED.
„This Limited Warranty is the only warranty
that Brother is giving for this Product. It is
the final expression and the exclusive and
only statement of Brother’s obligations to
you. It replaces all other agreements and
understandings that you may have with
Brother or its representatives.
„This warranty gives you certain rights and
you may also have other rights that may
vary from state to state.
„This Limited Warranty (and Brother’s
obligation to you) may not be changed in
any way unless you and Brother sign the
same piece of paper in which we (1) refer
to this Product and your bill of sale date, (2)
describe the change to this warranty and
(3) agree to make that change.
Important: We recommend that you keep all
original packing materials, in the event that
you ship this Product.
© 2008 Brother International Corporation
 
						

							vi
BROTHER MULTIFUNCTION CENTER / FAX MACHINE
LIMITED WARRANTY
(Canada only)
Pursuant to the limited warranty of 1 year from the date of purchase for labour and parts, Brother
International Corporation (Canada) Ltd. (
“Brother”), or its Authorized Service Centres, will repair
or replace (at Brothers sole discretion) this MFC/Fax machine free of charge if defective in
material or workmanship. This warranty applies only to products purchased and used in Canada.
This limited Warranty does not include cleaning, consumables (including, without limitation, ink
cartridges, print cartridges, print rolls, thermal paper rolls, toner cartridges, drum units, OPC belts,
fixing units, print heads, paper feed rollers, transfer rolls, cleaning rollers, waste toner packs, oil
bottles) or damage caused by accident, neglect, misuse or improper installation or operation, any
damage caused from service, maintenance, modifications, or tampering by anyone other than a
Brother Authorized Service Representative, or if shipped out of the country.
The use of supplies or consumable items that are non-Brother products may void your warranty.
This limited warranty ceases when this machine is rented, sold, or otherwise disposed of. 
Operation of the MFC/Fax machine in excess of the specifications or with the Serial Number or
Rating Label removed shall be deemed abuse and all repairs thereafter shall be the sole liability
of the end-user/purchaser.
In order to obtain warranty service, the MFC/Fax machine must be delivered or shipped
freight prepaid by the end-user/purchaser to a “Brother” Authorized Service Centre, together
with your Canadian Proof of Purchase in the form of a Sales Receipt.
When shipping or transporting your MFC/Fax machine, please refer to your Operation
Manual for the proper packaging procedures.
For Laser units: Failure to remove the Toner Cartridge (and Toner Drum Unit, waste toner
packs or oil bottles on applicable models) during shipping or transport will cause severe
damage to the Laser MFC/Fax machine and will void the Warranty.
For inkjet units: (When shipping your Inkjet MFC/Fax machine remove the ink cartridges and
replace them with the original protective parts. If original protective parts are not available,
leave ink cartridges installed. Please avoid shipping the unit without original protective parts
or ink cartridges.) Damage to your print head resulting from packing the Inkjet MFC/Fax
machine without the ink cartridges or the protective parts will void your warranty.
Improper packaging may cause severe damage to the machine during shipping and will void
the warranty. 
BROTHER DISCLAIMS ALL OTHER WARRANTIES EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED INCLUDING,
WITHOUT LIMITATIONS, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT ANY WARRANTIES
IMPLIED BY LAW CANNOT BE VALIDLY WAIVED.
No oral or written information, advice or representation provided by Brother, its Authorized
Service Centres, Distributors, Dealers, Agents or employees, shall create another warranty
or modify this warranty. The warranty states Brothers entire liability and your exclusive
remedy against Brother for any failure of the MFC/Fax machine to operate properly.
Neither Brother nor anyone else involved in the development, production, or delivery of this
MFC/Fax machine shall be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, exemplary,
or punitive damages, including lost profits, arising from the use of or inability to use the product,
even if advised by the end user/purchaser of the possibility of such damages. Since some
Provinces do not allow the above limitation of liability, such limitation, may not apply to you.
This Limited Warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other
rights which vary from Province to Province.
Warranty Service is available at Brother Authorized 
Service Centres throughout Canada. For Technical 
Assistance or for the name and location of your nearest 
Authorized Service Centre call 1-877-BROTHER.
Internet support: [email protected] or browse Brothers Web Site www.brother.ca.
 
						

							vii
Table of Contents
Section I General
1 General Information 2
Using the documentation ....................................................................................... 2
Symbols and conventions used in the documentation .................................... 2
Accessing the Software User’s Guide ................................................................... 2
Viewing Documentation ................................................................................... 2
Accessing Brother Support (For Windows
®) ......................................................... 5
MFC-290C Control panel overview........................................................................ 6
2 Loading paper and documents 8
Loading paper and other print media..................................................................... 8
Loading envelopes and post cards ................................................................ 10
Removing small printouts from the machine ................................................. 11
Printable area ................................................................................................ 12
Acceptable paper and other print media.............................................................. 13
Recommended print media ........................................................................... 13
Handling and using print media ..................................................................... 14
Choosing the right print media....................................................................... 15
Loading documents ............................................................................................. 17
Using the ADF (MFC-290C only)................................................................... 17
Using the scanner glass ................................................................................ 17
Scannable area ............................................................................................. 18
3 General setup 19
On/Off key ........................................................................................................... 19
Turning the machine off ................................................................................. 19
Turning the machine on ................................................................................. 19
Mode Timer.......................................................................................................... 19
Paper settings ...................................................................................................... 20
Paper Type .................................................................................................... 20
Paper Size ..................................................................................................... 20
Volume Settings................................................................................................... 20
Ring Volume .................................................................................................. 20
Beeper Volume .............................................................................................. 20
Speaker Volume ............................................................................................ 21
Automatic Daylight Savings Time ........................................................................ 21
LCD display ......................................................................................................... 21
LCD Contrast ................................................................................................. 21
Sleep Mode ......................................................................................................... 22
 
						

							viii
4 Security features 23
TX Lock................................................................................................................ 23
Setting and changing the TX Lock password ................................................ 23
Turning TX Lock on/off .................................................................................. 24
Section II Fax
5 Sending a Fax 26
Entering Fax mode .............................................................................................. 26
Faxing from the ADF (MFC-290C only)  ........................................................ 26
Faxing from the scanner glass ...................................................................... 26
Setting scanner glass size for faxing ............................................................. 27
Color fax transmission ................................................................................... 27
Canceling a fax in progress ........................................................................... 27
Broadcasting (Black & White only) ...................................................................... 27
Canceling a Broadcast in progress ................................................................ 28
Additional sending operations.............................................................................. 28
Sending faxes using multiple settings ........................................................... 28
Contrast ......................................................................................................... 29
Changing fax resolution ................................................................................. 29
Dual access (Black & White only) .................................................................. 30
Real time transmission .................................................................................. 30
Overseas Mode ............................................................................................. 31
Checking and canceling waiting jobs............................................................. 31
Sending a fax manually ................................................................................. 31
Sending a fax at the end of a conversation ................................................... 32
Out of Memory message ............................................................................... 32
6 Receiving a Fax 33
Receive modes .................................................................................................... 33
Choosing the Receive Mode ......................................................................... 33
Using receive modes ........................................................................................... 35
Fax Only ........................................................................................................ 35
Fax/Tel........................................................................................................... 35
Manual ........................................................................................................... 35
External TAD ................................................................................................. 35
Receive mode settings ........................................................................................ 36
Ring Delay ..................................................................................................... 36
F/T Ring Time (Fax/Tel mode only) ............................................................... 36
Easy Receive ................................................................................................. 37
Additional receiving operations ............................................................................ 37
Printing a reduced incoming fax .................................................................... 37
Receiving a fax at the end of a conversation................................................. 37
Receiving faxes into memory when the paper tray is empty ......................... 38