Dual-boot LabVIEW RT/Windows 2000 on PXI

[Doug101]

Is it possible to configure a PXI-based embedded PC (NI 8176) to run both LabVIEW RT and Windows 2000 in a dual-boot setup? I would like to use the same PXI system to do both real-time system prototyping as well as finished product testing - though not at the same time, of course.

[JeffBoettcher]

Hello,

Yes, this is fairly easy to do. If you have a PXI controller purchased with Windows, you must purchase an embedded RT license to use the RT OS on that controller. For ordering information for this license, see the first link below.

The mechanics behind setting up the controller for dual boot (via a boot floppy) are detailed in the second link below.

KnowledgeBase 246DTUKN: Do I Need a Run-Time License to Install the LabVIEW Real-Time Engine on My R...

HIW: Hardware Configuration: RT Configuration Wizard: Booting a PXI Embedded Controller int
o RT

[ANDRÉ_CARVALHO]

Ok, but if you just do not have any floppy drive, how do you solve this problem? -Any idea? Does somebody have sucessfully used dual boot on the same HD?

Thanks,

André

; )

Message Edited by ANDRÉ CARVALHO on 02-09-2006 02:32 PM

[DavidEngr]

Hi André,

Just to clarify, all dual-boot systems use the same hard drive for both operating systems.  The floppy drive is used only for configuration.  If you do not have a floppy drive, you can use a USB CD-ROM drive to load the recovery CD that ships with the controller.  Please note that using the recovery CD may result in the loss of data from the previous Windows-only configuration.  All of the important files should be backed-up prior to any recovery.  For a better idea of what specific steps are involved, you can check out the following link:

http://digital.ni.com/public.nsf/websearch/227CF36870DB7BDB86256F790057F20F?OpenDocument

In particular, the section at the bottom goes through the process of converting to a dual-boot controller.

David H.

Applications Engineer

National Instruments