How to Connect a Zip Drive to a Computer

These instructions apply to connecting external parallel port Zip drives to PCs. Internal Zip drives and external SCSI or universal serial bus (USB) Zip drives have different connection procedures.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Zip Drives

1. Shut down the computer, but leave it plugged into the surge suppressor.

2. Skip to step 6 if you don't currently have a parallel port printer.

3. Turn off the printer.

4. Disconnect the printer from the computer.

5. Plug the printer into the labeled bypass parallel port on the back of the Zip drive.

6. Connect the supplied cable to the Zip drive and the parallel (printer) port on the computer.

7. Tighten the hand screws on the cable's connectors.

8. Connect the power cord to the Zip drive. Push the power cord into the groove on the side of the drive.

9. Plug the external power supply into the surge suppressor.

10. Check for the green light indicating that the Zip drive is getting power.

11. Insert the supplied Zip Tools disk into the Zip drive.

12. Turn on the printer.

13. Turn on the computer.

14. Install the Zip drive's drivers and other software according to the manufacturer's instructions.