Need Help with RS232c Serial Communication with 2 HIAC/ROYCO 5230 Particle Counters using LabVIEW 6.1

[enginaaron]

I am having problems trying to establish Serial Communication via RS232 using Com1 & Com2 ports.  I am using the example program  " LabVIEW <-> Serial.VI" that is included with Labview 6.1. 

I thought at first it was the host computer port or cable, but when I connect Pins 2 & 3 on the cable using a paper clip, the program will return any data that I send, so this is definitely not the problem.

The counters are not responding to any commands as outlined in the provided manufacturer O.M., and I am not getting response from the counters.

Has anyone out there worked with these counters and have any advice?  Any help would be greatly appreciated.  We are in the process of upgrading our LabVIEW to V8.x, but would like to get started now on my coding to meet schedule.

Regards,

Aaron

[Dennis_Knutson]

Can you post the user manual? Can you also explain exactly how you are sending the commands? For example, are you including the \r\n that is shown as part of the default text in the string to write control? These are the control codes for CR and LF. Also, have you verified that it works with a program like Hyperterminal? Shorting pins 2 & 3 only verifies that the serial port on the pc is working. It does not verify the com settings for the instrument or that you have the correct cable to it.

[enginaaron]

Thanks Dennis!  You are right, shorting the cable at pins 2 & 3 did prove anything, other than I was getting a signal sent out from Com1 on my workstation.....even though it was suggested to do this on the NI website.  The problem was simply a matter of a couple of pins being switched on the cable.  After finding my problem, I am now able to "talk" to the counters using hyperterminal, and once I develop and test all of the code necessary to run my test-cycle, I will bring it into LabVIEW.  Thanks for asking me some good questions that made me retrace my steps.......

Regards,

enginaaron