IBWRT ERROR during calibration

[gzajac]

Recently had to purchace a new computer to use with our ES8712ES network analyzer hooked up to a DCM ES350 PC controller to test cat5 cables.  Had to upgrade and get a new NI GPIB-AT/TNT PCI card for this.  When i load one of our spec sheets and go to run a test it goes through a calibration and at the end when it says calculating and saving coefficients it crashes and this error pops up.

IBWRT ERROR:

      ibsta = c100 < ERR TIMO CMPL           

      iberr = 6 EABO <Op. aborted

      ibcnt = 0

 Can anyone help me out with trying to track down what might be the problem.  My knowledge is limited with this type of equipment.

Thanks

[pflores]

Here are some helpful articles found by searching ni.com:

KnowledgeBase

GPIB Installation/Configuration Troubleshooting

This looks like a timeout error when trying to write on the bus. Since GPIB calls for a confirmation by a receiver, the write will timeout if no device on the bus acknowledges the GPIB message.

What happens when you try to Scan for Instruments?

This should show your GPIB device in the Connected Instruments window in MAX. My guess is that it will not show up. Verify that your GPIB settings match that of the GPIB controller.

[gzajac]

Thanks for the reply, when i go to the connections list it does find my controller, if I say no to the re-calibration it will go through the tests just like normal and save the resuts to the computer, only if i say yes to the re-calibration will it crash with that error, this is the second computer i have tried and both have the same error.  I am just worried that by saying no to the re-calibration at the beginning of the test it might effect the accuracry of the test results. 

 I am just confused as to when is says it is trying to save the calculations from the calibration, where is it trying to save them too, the computer, the analyzer?

Thank for your suggestions,  I will look them over, and go trough all the settings again to see if they look correct.

[pflores]

What software are you using? What is asking you to do re-calibration?

Did you confirm if you hit "Scan for Instruments" that your Network Analyzer does appear?

[gzajac]

Yes it does show up when i do a scan for instruments, we are using software from DCM industries where we purchased our Cable and Patch Cord Test System controller.  I am trying to get some techical support with them in case it has something to do with a sotware configuration, but their support so far is not all that helpfull to say the least.  On the main screen of the software there is a calibration button where you can manually calibrate the analyzer, if i do it from there it works, but when i load my spec sheet in and try to run the Cat5E test it asks you to re-calibrate the machine and it does this after every test, according to the manual it should only ask you to do that again if the  settings have changed, if i say yes to the re-calibration it will eventually timout with that error when trying to save the calibration settings.  So i am not entirely sure if it is a GPIB problem or the cable testing software at this point. When i purchased everything DCM industries told me to get a National Instruments GPIB card because it has been tested and works with there software. 

[pflores]

gzajac,

I am sorry that DCM has not been helpful, but it looks like they arewho you need to talk to. It sounds like you have a good connection to the device, and can do some actions. Why it is asking you to re-calibrate, and then failing seems to be in software.

Is it a free software? Can you post a link to it? How about the user manual?

Regards

[gzajac]

 I think you are right, the root of the problem is on the software side, i finally have gotton a response from DCM anfter many attempts, i am going to try some of thier suggestions, but i think i might be on the right track.

Thanks for all your help, appreciate it.

[pflores]

Great, let us know how it works out.