Setup
Connecting your Printer to a Computer
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P1062653-002 Rev. A ZD500 Series™ Thermal Transfer Printer User’s Guide 1/16/2014
Connecting your Printer to a Computer
The printer supports a variety of interface options and configurations. These include:
Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, RS232 Serial, Parallel (IEEE 1284.4), 10/100 Wired
Ethernet, and an optional internal Wireless Ethernet (WiFi) and Bluetooth radio.

Pre-install Windows® Printer Drivers

Install the Zebra Setup Utilities before applying power to the printer connected to the PC
(running a Zebra driver supported Windows operating system). The Zebra Setup Utility will
prompt you to apply the printer power. Continue to follow the instructions to complete your
printer installation.
The Zebra Setup Utility is designed to assist you with installing these interfaces. The
cabling and unique parameters for each of these physical printer communication interfaces is
discussed in the following pages to assist you with making configuration setup choices prior to
and immediately following applying power. The Zebra Setup Utilities configuration wizards
will instruct you to turn the printer’s power on at the appropriate time to complete the
installation of your printer.
For more details on installing Ethernet (network) and Bluetooth interfaces:
•ZebraNet® Wired and Wireless Print Servers User Guide

Interface Cable Requirements

Data cables must be of fully shielded construction and fitted with metal or metallized
connector shells. Shielded cables and connectors are required to prevent radiation and
reception of electrical noise.
To minimize electrical noise pickup in the cable:
• Keep data cables as short as possible (6 foot [1.83 m] recommended).
• Do not tightly bundle the data cables with power cords.
• Do not tie the data cables to power wire conduits.
.
Caution • Keep the power switch in the OFF position when attaching the interface cable.
The power cord must be inserted into the power supply and the power receptacle on the
back of the printer before connecting or disconnecting the communications cables.
Important • This printer complies with FCC “Rules and Regulations,” Part 15, for Class B
Equipment, using fully shielded data cables. Use of un-shielded cables may increase radiated
emissions above the Class B limits.