Cannot connect laptop to samsung sf5100p fax machine

Him you need to add considerably more detail to your query and repost, there is not enough information here to answer.
From the little that is here I would say that drivers need to be installed on a windows machine for the OS to recognise any new device being connected to the machine by an y means.
Clearly a driver has not been installed.
If the device being connected is an USB device you shoulg not be surprised if an older pen drive is not recognised by a newer machine or a newer pen/flash drive recognised by an older machine
Anyway, please add rather more detail and submit the query again

remove the fuse on the cratridge

see if your fax is on fax mode. the button is next to the display.

The device has a communication malfunction.

possible diagnostics to be performed

1. The communication lines or phone connectivities are malfunct, consider unplugging each modem properly reconnecting taking keen observation of jack areas on the fax machine, and the external areas on the router units splitting the signals.

2. The fax machine paper feed system is clogged possible inspection of the tray areas making sure to unclog stuck paper.

a. The fax machines provides an image measurable in laser signals required to produce results immediately. Any delay in the signals or data when arrives in fax machine could cause incomplete imprint

3. The fax machine could have many messages queue causing delay malfunctions.
a. The type of signal splitter available at the location could cause to delay, where a delay excapes signal recognition on the paper only producing a few data records

important notes

1. consider acquiring a fax consigment at a time

2. consider distributing fax loads to another infrustruction

Error 232 is a connectivity message

1. possibly caused by accidentally unplugging a connection and reconnecting while fax machine was powered on.

2. possibly caused by connecting another fax machine to the set up of infrusture without performing system restore to intergrate all devices connected to the network.

3.possibly also caused by a computer program malfunction.

a. consider reinstalling the programs that connect the fax machine; for example access the computer networking infrusture icons located in the control panel area of the computer programs list bar to perform networking diagnostics for the fax machine

instruction s of performing a fax network reinstallation

1.The networks on the computer housing every additional peripheral device like faxes all share with printers, game consules and several recognisable within the computer server or mainframe computer. A wireless connectivy of several connection compromised the intergrity of some devices.
The response to the problem in computer sending a message with a number to make possible locating the by expert technictians.

2. Several peripherals connected to the computer server produces error messages readable where huge numbers being sysbols of easy problems only on a computer performing several resposnibilties, in which sitaution of faxes, the error 232 could be the number of faxe assigments failures, or number faxes waiting to be completed.

The answering machine MUST be programmed to allow probably at least six rings for the FAX to grab the line, otherwise the answering machine will grab the line first. Answering machines and FAXes don't like eachother...

http://www.printcountry.com/drivers/SAMSUNG_SF_5100P_DRIVER_DOWNLOAD.htm
click the link directly.
thank you.

1. Connect the USB cable to your computer.
2. Press and hold the button while plugging the other end of the USB cable into the YP-Z5.
3. When the display shows USB Connected, release the button.
4. The device is now in USB mode.
5. When through, you must safely remove the USB device. Note: To safely remove the USB device, right click the USB icon ( ) in the bottom right of your screen, and then click Safely Remove Hardware.
   

1. Upon disconnecting the device, it will return to MTP Mode.

See if your cordless phone will work when plugged directly into the wall jack.If it does then plug a regular phone into the faxes phone connector, EXT jack. See if you can make a call. If you can plug the cordless in again to the EXT jack on the fax machine. In order for the fax switch to function, the machine must
be first in the series if multiple devices are connected to the
same telephone socket. Follow the correct order

If you have multiple telephone sockets for the same
telephone line, the machine must be connected to
the first telephone socket.

If you still get the error I recommend a servicecall to the manufractorer

How do you connect the mfc to your computer/laptop? In case you use usb make sure that the cable isnt longer than 3m and it is connected directly to your comp/lap usb. Do NOT connect to a hub. This causes a prob with the scanner.
In case you have it installed within a network (RJ45) there is a guide which can be download from brother homepage of your country. It explains the settings and installing for the scanner and printer.

Barry just a suggestion,try downloading the samsung software from the internet and see if that works.It may be just a comand problem.