The error means 'The given session or object reference is invalid.' If you don't have automtic error dialogs turned on you can get the explanation by right clicking on the error out indicator and selecting 'Explain Error'. Your VISA Resource Name is incorrect. The syntax is a little different than just providing an address number so if you just typed something into the control, it's probably incorrect. With a VISA Resource Name control, the easiest thing to do is to click on the little 'down' arrow on the right side of the control. You will get a list of all VISA resources on your computer. This will include com and parallel ports but you will also see your GPIB instrument. It will be listed something like 'GPIB0::5::INSTR'. You can also assign an alias in MAX such as 'PowerSupply' and then that will be listed.