I downloaded this
http://solutions.brother.com/mfc3100c/download/dl-winxp-whql.html
hooked up the printer, it detected, followed the "how to download and install" document, and it said all the drivers were now installed but the printer wasn't showing up in the printers and faxes control panel so I chose to install it.
but my printer is not on the list as you can see from this screenshot
I tried using the other models of MFC printers but none of them worked.