Now the barcode reader can get picky about the barcode font you use... Look for one called 7of9.ttf I have had good luck with that. Many people tell you that you will have to pay for the barcode font or a program that makes barcodes... don't believe it... keep looking there are a number of barcode fonts out there and with a decent laser printer you will have no probs!
look here:
http://www.idautomation.com/hardware/Now my comments apply to the older barcode scanner and I have no idea how the wand that plugs in to COM1 or the USB models work... I "think" the USB models act like a second keyboard input in a way. They might have a driver that must be installed but I know nothing about them.
RZ