Serial ENET "has encountered a problem"

[viCam]

Hello All,

I am using a Serial ENET device to perform real time data logging from an instrument for extended periods. My program runs just fine for hours at a time, but unequivically will stop communicating upon recieving this windows error (also attached):

"NI-Serial ENET User-Mode Service has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience."

After this happens, the instrument ceases communication and I must restart the computer before it is restored.

I've tried changing the timout value on the COM port from 2 to 10 to 60 seconds, which appears to delay the error, but anything above 60 seconds just seems unreasonable to me.

The NI-Spy file was too large to attach but I've included a program screenshot capturing the event.

Please help!!

Thankyou!

-Cameron

[viCam]

Does anyone have any ideas for this? Is this a dumb question with an obvious answer? Am I asking in the wrong place? Should I just call support?

Critical that this works, I just cannot figure out what is wrong.

Thanks,

-Cameron

[Anna_K.]

Hello, what version of NI VISA do you have? Does this problem occur when running on other machines? What operating system are you running on?

Also I notice that you are continually opening and closing the VISA session, is this necessary? Usually when performing multiple operations on the same serial port, you open a single session and close it when all operations complete.

[Anna_K.]

Hello, what version of NI VISA do you have? Does this problem occur when running on other machines? What operating system are you running on?

Also I notice that you are continually opening and closing the VISA session, is this necessary? Usually when performing multiple operations on the same serial port, you open a single session and close it when all operations complete.

[viCam]

Hi Anna, thanks for replying.

I am using LV 6.1 if that is the same version as the VISA. I have not tried using the program on any other machines and I am using Windows XP.

No, it is not necessary that I open and close the port for every loop, however, I thought this to be the problem before and ammended it to run continuosly while open, then close after it was finished yet still had the same problem. Granted, at this time I had not tried different timeout values. I've left it the way it currently is because it greatly simplifies the program.

So I suppose I could try running on a different machine, or altering the program to run with the port open again while modifying timeout values, or both.

Given this info, is there a solution you think I should try first?

[Anna_K.]

Hmm, have you always had the problem or did this start suddenly? You can check wich version of NI VISA you have by opening Measurement and Automation Explorer and checking under the software section. Which Serial Enet do you have? 2 port or 4 port? 232 or 485?

[JasonSmith]

It would also be good to know which version of NI-Serial is installed, and which version of Windows you are using. If you are already using the latest NI-Serial, there is an alternative you can try which uses the ENET device directly through VISA, without passing through NI-Serial. Take a look at the following link for more details. Since your application is already using VISA, it should be a fairly simple change.

Can I Use the ENET-232 or ENET-485 on Systems with VISA Support Only?

-Jason S.

[viCam]

I've always had this problem, but in the beginning it would happen after just a few minutes unti I changed the timeout value to 10, then 60 seconds, thereafter it began happening approximately every 3-6 hours.

So I am using VISA version 4.6 with 4 RS232 ports.

[viCam]

Thanks Jason, I do already have the latest NI-Serial installed (just purchased this 2 months ago), so I will take a look at the link then try that method and report back on results.

-Cameron

[Anna_K.]

It looks like LabVIEW 6.1 is not supported in the VISA 4.6 readme because it is a newer version of the driver. This might be the issue, is it possible to upgrade your LabVIEW? or you may need to install an old version of VISA.