Cannot read from VISA serial port without MAX

[ZInventor]

Hi,

I am trying to build an application that will interface with a Black Cat Systems GM-10 radiation detector.

The app works fine on my computer (with NI full development system) but, when I install it on another computer, without LabView, the application cannot see the serial port!

I've checked that the driver is installed correctl, and that Windows can see the device, but when i start my program, it can't seem to access any serial ports.

I then tried to install MAX on the second computer, at which point the app worked fine, but, as i'm going to be installing this app in other places, i don't really have the option of installing MAX everywhere (the software needs to be self contained.)

Any help would be much appreciated!

-Z

I would have attached the project file, but the forums seem not to want to let me upload that large of a file.

[Dennis_Knutson]

Not sure what you mean that the software has to be self contained. You already have to install both the LabVIEW runtime and the NI-VISA runtime. Installing MAX as well is no big deal. 

Your app is probably using VISA aliases such as Com1. You can change the app to use ASRL1::INSTR (the actual VISA resource name) or get a list of available VISA resource names and allow the user to select from a list.

[ZInventor]

by self contained, i mean installing as little stuff as possible to the user's computer (preferably, all from one installer)

the installer that labview builds doesn't seem to be able to install MAX, or the NI-VISA runtime and it would be best if one installer counld do all the work.

I am allready using a selector that reads all available devices, and displays them, but on the other computer, nothing appears in the list.

I didn't know about the NI-VISA runtime, how do you add that to the installer?

I'll try changing the resource selector to use the actual names as well.

thanks!

-Z

[Dennis_Knutson · Accepted solution]

What version of LabVIEW are you using? With 8.x, the installer is very capable of installing NI-VISA runtime and MAX. If you are using an old version of LabVIEW, there was an option to include VISA serial support. Installing just MAX will do nothing to make the ports available. It's VISA that does this.

[ZInventor]

I have version 8.5, but am not fermilliar with how to add the VISA runtime to the installer, it's not listed in the "aditional NI installers" list, and i don't know where to find it.

maybe i need to update?

thanks a lot!

-Z

[Dennis_Knutson]

Look again. If you installed NI-VISA (and you must have), it will appear on the additional installers page.

[ZInventor]

nope, not in the list...

any ideas?

i am running NI-LabView Full Developpment System 8.5.1

-Z

[ZInventor]

Wow, rookie mistake on my part...

i searched the download center for the VISA runtime, found it, and now it's in the list!

i'll try the app again as soon as i get another blank CD.

thanks!!!

-Z

[Dennis_Knutson]

I've never seen a list so short. It does not look like you have any drivers installed. This is your development pc? What is listed in MAX for software?

[ZInventor]

sorry, i forgot to add earlier, my version is the FIRST Robotics version (as i am on a FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition) team)... which could explain the short list.

this is my development PC, but, i don't use many other devices (just this one right now, bu have used a CRio FRC once.

i installed the NI-VISA Runtime Engine from the NI website, and it  appeared in the list!

set it to be installed with the other stuff, and it works great now! thanks so much!

-Z