USB-6509 cannot be seen by Measurement and Automation Explorer.

[scribache]

In pursuit of solving another problem, I've tried to use two different USB-6509 devices on three different computers using windows XP having three different NI-DAQmx drivers (9.3.0f2, 9.0.2f0, and 8.8.0f2) installed.  None of these computers was able to recognize the USB-6509 and the computer simply tried unsuccessfully to find a new driver.  Online, it is stated that for NI-DAQmx 8.8 the USB-6509 is supported.  Anything newer than this is also purportedly supported.  I've checked to see that the "NI Device Loader" is running and that it is set to retry should it ever find it necessary to restart.  Although I have a copy of NI-DAQmx 9.4, I do not want to install this because it is incompatible with Labview 8.2.1 which we are currently using to run programs.  Is there some trick for having a computer recognize this card in the measurement and automation explorer or is NI-DAQmx 9.4 the only choice?  Finally, if I install NI-DAQmx 9.4 for test purposes is there any way to uninstall it to recover usability of LabView 8.2 or do I have to do a complete re-installation of both?

[SnowMule]

What does device manager say about the device?    Does it show the device is installed and working, or is it missing drivers?  Other thing to check is the system setup: DAQ's need power to run.  A self-powered USB hub may not be able to push the current required to operate the DAQ.  Try a different port or a powered hub.

[scribache]

Thanks for the reply.  Device manager sees a "usb device" but doesn't know what it is (little yellow circle with exclamation point).  I've tried multiple USB ports as well with no change.  Also with and without the additional power supply.  This additional supply, to the best of my understanding, is mostly for generation of DIO voltages with a little more amperage behind them and shouldn't affect recognition of the card.  I've also been told to use only usb ports connected to the computer mother board (often the ones in the back).  This doesn't seem to affect anything.   I've made sure the mDNS Responder Service and NI Device Loader are started and set to restart if they somehow turn off.  Finally, I've removed all NI programs from the computer and reinstalled just the drivers that came with the USB 6509 card itself.  This had no effect.  Nor did a fresh install of the latest version 9.4 DAQmx driver downloaded from the website.  I've also tried two different (and both new) USB 6509 devices.  Both behave the same.  Ironically, a USB-6221 device can be recognized in each circumstance.  Also, I've attempted to find drivers in the device manager manually searching for the file nisdig.inf.  This file can't be found in a general search of the computer.  I've also installed the hotfix on the windowsXP service pack 3 operating system and installed all other updates for this operating system  with no significant change.  Any more ideas floating around?  Thanks!

[Ryan_S]

Hey Scribache,

       From what you're describing, it sounds like the drivers are failing to properly identify and install with the USB 6509. I've hooked up a 6509 and when I uninstall the drivers from the device, device manager looks like this:

The 6509 shows up under Other devices, but is still identified as an NI USB-Digital device. Does your system exhibit a similar behavior? My system then automatically installs the drivers and the device moves into the Data Acquisition Devices category. However, you can also manually identify the drivers. There are two ways to do this, and it sounds like you may have already tried something similar to this:

1. In Device Manager, right-click on the device and choose Update Driver Software.

2. Choose Browse my computer for driver software. This is where the two methods split:

Path A:

A.1. Under Search for driver software in this location, browse to C:\Program Files\National Instruments, then click OK.

A.2. The system should identify the device as the USB-6509 and install the correct drivers.

Path B:

B.1. Choose "Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer"

B.2. Make sure that "Show compatible hardware" is unchecked

B.3. Scroll through the list and select "USB-6509", then click Next

B.4. Windows will install the drivers

The device should now be recognized and the LED on the back of the 6509 should be lit. The LED will not light up until the device is recognized and ready to communicate. Hope this helps!

--Ryan S.

[scribache]

Hi Ryan_S,

Your solution helped somewhat but only in combination with some esoteric knowledge about where the proper drivers are actually located.  The steps below worked for me.

1-Right click on the non-functional USB in the device manager
2-Choose:  Update driver
3-"Can windows connect to Windows Update to search for software?"-no, not this time
4-Install from a list or specific location (Advanced)-Check the box that says "include this location in the search"
5-browse to H:\\Program Files\National Instruments\NI-DAQ\staging\nixs  (you are not allowed to select folders elsewhere in the directory tree...the ok button seems to be only active when the folder selected directly contains drivers...e.g., the drivers are not in a subdirectory)
6-There will be messages about a "static digital firmware loader" doing something while the driver is installed.  The card will briefly be recognized and then the same device manager, update driver window will pop open again automatically.  Strangely enough, you have to follow steps 1-6 one more time before the device will actually be recognized and stay that way.

Thanks for the help and suggestions!

scribache