printer test sheet ok, printer icon appears on desktop following cd run through. thereafter no acknowledgement of printer presence.

Welcome to LQ...

What do you mean by "cd run through"?
How did you install the printer? eg with the Kubuntu printer utility? Or "localhost:631" in a browser?

Is it an HL-2140? If so, there is hope:
http://openprinting.org/show_printer...rother-HL-2140

Note that they refer to a Brother website with Linux info.

thanks for responding.. err I think I mean it didnot behave like windows and tell me what to do after detecting new hardware.. that is to say I ran the brother cd which landed the printer on my desktop; there it all sits!

Look at the link I supplied then try installing using the Linux tools. In the Kubuntu menus, there is a utility for setting up printers. Or just enter "localhost:631" into a browser.

When you refer to the Brother CD, I assume it is the disk that came with the computer. I think what has happened is that Linux just mounted the disk and put an icon on the desktop. That does not install the printer.
Normally, the disk that comes with a printer will have drivers only for Windows and Mac, but this may start changing soon. Meanwhile, use the Linux tools.

You can find an official driver for Linux here:

http://solutions.brother.com/linux/e...ion_prn1a.html

I've got the same printer and I have no problems in Debian Lenny, even though the packages are available for Debian Etch, but it works anyway.