usb4000

[AKCanada]

Hi,

I'd like to know how to connect a usb4000 oceanoptics spectrometer to my computer. I'm not sure how to figure out which COM on the measurement and automation application corresponds to the usb4000 since I also have a fiberswitch connected. If the usb4000 is connected via usb shouldn't it show up as a usb device not a serial connected device? 

Would someone be able to help me with this?

Thanks!

[Albert.Geven]

It sure should be a us b device.
Did you read the help file/htm of the driver on NI driver page?

[AKCanada]

Hi,

Thanks for the post. Do you think the reason it doesn't show up on the device manager is because I haven't correctly installed the drivers yet? I thought it would show up regardless of whether the drivers are installed or not.

Thanks,

[Albert.Geven]

If you installed the drivers from Ocean Optics (and their software) than you have to change the driver to a usb driver that is recognized by LabVIEW/MAX.

If you did not install Ocean Optics software than you still have to install the NI USB inf file in XP and Win7.

How to do that is in the html file in the driver. Check program files/National Instruments/LabVIEWxyz/Instr.lib/ocean optics 2000 4000

on my system

C:\Program Files\National Instruments\LabVIEW 2012\instr.lib\Ocean Optics 2000 4000

Ocean Optics 2000 4000 Readme.html

Installation Instructions

• Go to Program Files>>National Instruments>>LabVIEW>>instr.lib>>Ocean Optics 2000 4000>>VISA_USB
• Select the folder for the model of instrument you are using.
• For Windows Vista and Windows 7, use the INF file with _vista in the file name (eg.Ocean Optics USB4000_vista.inf). For XP, use the other INF file.
• To install, right click and select Install.
• NI MAX should be able to detect this instrument after installing the INF file. 

[AKCanada]

Hi thanks for your help.

I followed these instructions in order to install the drivers http://www.ni.com/devzone/idnet/inetinst.htm so basically copied and pasted my driver folder into the correct directory.

However a small caveat I should mention is that I downloaded the drivers for Labview version 8.2.1 whereas I only have labview 8.0. Therefore an individual on the ni forums downgraded all the files in the driver directory to be compatible with labview 8.0 and now they can be opened.

So perhaps this might cause some issues although I wouldn't think so? I've also updated my NI vista to the latest version.

Another question I have is regarding the standard oceanoptics drivers. Would I need to uninstall these in order to work with the instrument with labview and see it show up on the 'measurement and automation explorer'?

Thanks!

[Albert.Geven]

You don't needto uninstall, but if you run the ocean optics software you need to reinstall the ni drivers.
You should be able to see the instrument in max, but also in a visa resource name

[AKCanada]

What do you mean by reinstall? I have copied and pasted the driver folder into the instr.lib directory. Does that not mean that it is automatically installed permanently? I am still not seeing it in the NI MAX 😞

Thanks,

[Albert.Geven]

Reconnect is maybe a better word here.
It is windows that needs to select either the usb raw driver or the ocean optics usb driver!

[AKCanada]

Hi,

So I am assuming this means I need to disconnect the usb cable and connect it again? I've tried that however it still doesn't show up.

[AKCanada]

Hi,

Thanks alot for your help. Does anyone know if this might be why I can't see my usb connected to labview : I downloaded the 8.2.1 labview driver for usb4000 oceanoptics, however I only have labview version 8.0. I did submit the entire driver folder to convert in the ni conversion forums so that it is compatible with 8.0. Do you think I need to upgrade the entire labview I have to run the driver and use the usb4000?

Perhaps this is why I can't see the usb in NIMAX?

Any help would be much appreciated - thanks!