Why does my PXI-4130 only respond to resource name "Dev1"?

[jonkuhn]

I am trying to communicate with a PXI-4130 using the C API.  According to the Measurement and Automation Explorer the PXI-4130 is installed in PXI Chassis 1 Slot 2.  However when I call niDCPower_init with the resource name set to "PXI1Slot2" I get the  VI_ERROR_RSRC_NFOUND error.  I also tried using "PXI1::15::INSTR" which shows up in MAX, and setting a "VISA Alias on my System" and both of these give the same error.  The NI-DCPower Soft Front Panel can connect to the device, and reports that it is using the resource name "Dev1".  If i close the NI-DCPower soft front panel and try using "Dev1" as the resource name I am able to connect, but only if I close the soft front panel.

So my two questions are:

1. Why can I only connect to this device using "Dev1" as the resource name, and where is this setting located so I can change it if I want to?
2. Is it possible to have the soft front panel (maybe in a read only mode) and my software talking to the device simultaniously? (With a PXI-2530 relay matrix and the NI-Switch front panel this is possible)

Thanks
Jon Kuhn

[RT4CY]

Hi John,

Could you post back with a screenshot of your Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX) configuration tree?  Be sure to expand Devices and Interfaces as well as NI-DAQmx Devices.  This is where the PXI 4130 should be named "Dev 1". 

As far as using the Soft Front Panel, you can only use one or the other.  This is because the DC Power Soft Front Panel needs to open a resource to the Power Supply.  If you try running the simple Gen Voltage DC Power example while the Soft Front Panel is open, you will get an error. 

The reason you can do this with switches is because the Switch Soft Front Panel updates its schematic view based on a channel connection list.  This list is updated every time you use the Connect Channels or Disconnect Channels functions.  More information can be found in the NI Switches Help file.  

[jonkuhn]

Below is a screenshot.  Our 4060 DMM is listed as Device 4 under NI-DAQ but I don't see a Dev3.

Thanks,
Jon Kuhn

[RT4CY]

Hey John,

Both your PXI 2530 and PXI 4130 should have shown up in MAX under NI-DAQmx Devices.  I am guessing you do not have NI-DAQmx installed.  You can verify this by expanding Software in MAX.  You can find the download for the latest DAQmx driver here.

[RT4CY]

I'm sorry, it seems that NI-DCPower installs DAQmx automatically.  Seems that the issue may lie with MAX.  I would recommend deleting the MAX database and rebooting.  Rebooting will recreate the database for you.  Note that you will lose the information in the previous database (such as DAQmx device configuration, DAQmx Tasks, SwitchExecutive configurations).

If this doesn't work, try doing a repair on MAX.  Go to your Add/Remove programs list and click Change/Remove for National Instruments software.  Select Measurement & Automation Explorer and click Repair.

Please post back if you have any further issues.