PXI Configuration Problem: DAQmx vs: VISA REF: Service Request 1902619

[clam_guy]

Hi,

I have two NI 8108 RT controllers.  One is configured properly, the second, I cannot get to work.  It does not properly recognize the cards in my system as DAQmx devices, and as such, can not communicate to them using my code.  The second controller, needs to be configured as a customer spare asset, and is not working yet.

Attached is a listing of the MAX interpretation of my PXI chassis.  I am pretty confidant that I have installed the same versions, and same drivers onto both 8108 controllers, but am stuck.  Please help me configure this second controller, to see the PXI cards as DAQmx devices. 

Thanks,

Bob

[Allison_M]

Hi Bob,

Could you attach screenshots of the software tab expanded on both of your controllers to confirm that DAQmx is installed on both. If the systems are supposed to be 100% identical, you could trying creating an RT image of the known good RT system and pushing it to the second controller. This can be done using the RT Create Target Disk Image VI and the RT Apply Target Disk Image VI. See this KnowledgeBase article for more information. This will help us confirm whether or not it is a software issue.

Best Regards

[clam_guy]

Alison,

Thanks for the reply.  I cannot attach the screen shots at this time.  However, I have gone through, painfully so, to make sure they are the same.  The only thing I can think of if it is is a software driver mis-match, is maybe the order things were loaded onto my controller somehow affects me?

I will try to get screen shots tomorrow, but am in wrong timezone to make it quickly.

Thanks for the help,

Any more ideas?

Maybe I will try the create image solution, but it seems painful. 

[Allison_M]

Hi Bob,

Until we see the screenshots, it's hard to say whether or not this was caused by a software mismatch. The image solution is a great option for you, especially if you plan to deploy this to more than one other controller. 

Best Regards,

[clam_guy]

Hi. 

Attached is the configuation listings of each of the two controllers.  Since my post, I have realized that the Bad controller has additional drivers, that maybe are a problem.  The first time I checked, i only made sure that the necessary ones were on the non functioning controller, i did not look for extraneous items.  (DataSocket, NI-488, NI-Watchdog). 

I have not had a chance to remove these 3 items and re-try it , but hope to tomorrow.

Thanks for Help,

Bob

[0utlaw]

Hello Bob,

After looking at the screen captures you've provided, it appears that you have the same versions of NI-RFSG and NI-SCOPE installed on both systems, so the 5652 and 5154 cards in the "bad" system should be recognized in a similar fashion.  You may also want to try swapping one or both of the "missing" cards with a working card to verify that it isn't a problem with the card seating or the slots themselves.

Regards,

[clam_guy]

HELP!  It is ALL cards that are misidentified, not just the scope/rfgen.

[Allison_M]

Hi Bob,

It looks like your second controller/chassis is listed under another PXI System named J245S Spare. Do you have these systems connected to one another? Are you able to see the second PXI system as a standalone system in your remote systems?

[clam_guy]

Allison,

My J245Spare is simply a second, replacement controller to drop in place of the existing controller, if a failure occurs. So, I never have two controllers on line at the same time, as only one chassis.

I now really need a step by step, how can I guarantee success.  I spent all day uninstalling and re-installing all NI software (LV, FPGA, RT, TestStand), onto a standalone desktop PC, to see if this would help.  Same problem again, after re-installing all drivers onto the controller. Now I am pressed for time and could really use the help.

Should I re-format the new controller disk?  Should I try a System Replication approach, or something of that nature.   I would really appreciate SEVERAL solutions to try, as my time lag (in Japan), awaiting your response is rather difficult. 

Thanks,

Bob

[Allison_M]

Hi Bob,

Here are some options for you:

1. You could reformat your controller. This KnowledgeBase Article gives you step by step instructions on how to do so. After it is reformatted, you will have to reinstall all software and drivers which is detailed in this KnowledgeBase Article.

2. You can clone the known good controller and import the image on to the spare controller. The easiest way to do this would be to use the Replication and Deployment (RAD) Utility. The DeveloperZone article includes step by step instructions.

Hope this helps,