Errors code 12 and 31 - My PXI system is not working

[FilipeTaveiros]

I tried to fix the erros on my pxi system using the MXI-Express BIOS Compatibility Software 1.3 - Windows 7 64 bit/7 x86/XP x86/Vista x86/Vista x64

This software is intended to solve errors code 12 and/or 31 showing in the device manager of windows. But this software does not currently support any system with hardware that contains multiple PCI Express root buses, only the ones with single root bus. But according to this software, my computer has MULTIPLE PCI EXPRESS ROOT BUSES. What to do then? Windows just don't recognize my PXI System. There is two screenshots of the error.

My System description:
Dell precision workstation T5500
Windows 7 64bits

PCIe-8371 x4 connected to a x8 slot

PXIe-8370 Controller

PXIe-1075 Chassis
PXI-5600 RF Downconverter
PXI-5142 OSP Digitizer
PXI-5610 RF Upconverter
PXIe-5442 AWG OSP

I appreciate the help.

[TimS.]

Hi,

Well, swapping my 10GbE and MXIe-PCIe cards was the fix for me. You can try that but if it doesn't work for you then I don't have any other solution. The NI folks tested a MXIe system in a R5400 Dell for me and it worked for them which was what led me to try swapping slots. Like you, none of the BIOS compatiblity or other software updates worked for me. Let me know if that works for you.

Regards,

Tim S.

[FilipeTaveiros]

Hi Tim,

I tried to do what you told but it did not worked for me. But I have a few questions:

1- When you swapped your nvidia graphics card how did you change the configuration at the bios? I have searched the bios setup of my T5500 and did not found where to set the new configuration for the graphics slot. I am asking because I already tried to swap the MXI card, but always leaving the Nvidia graphics in the same place. But I see you swapped everything.

2- When you swapped the MXI card, did you set the jumper at mode 1 or 0? You used a x16 PCIe Slot?

3- Did you have to download specific x64 drivers for your PXI modules?

Thank you, regards.

[TimS.]

Hmm that's not good news.

1 - sorry for the confusion on this, I never actually moved the NVIDIA card on my R5400 workstation since it has a dedicated x16 graphics slot. I only swapped the 10Gb Ethernet card and the MXI card.

2 - After the swap, my 10 GbE card was in the PCIe x8 slot and the MXI card was in the PCIe x16 slot in my R5400. The jumper on the MXI was still set to whatever the BIOS compatibility installation instructions set it to (can't remember what that was off the top of my head).

3 - I'm actually only using Win7 32-bit so I didn't need to get different drivers.

Also, I did update the BIOS to the latest firmware off of Dell's website throughout this process. However, that didn't immediately fix anything but it definitely is another variable in the equation if you haven't done that yet.

Regards,

Tim

[FilipeTaveiros]

Thank you for your help Tim. I appreciate. I already updated the BIOS to the latest revision.

I noticed something: When I swap MXI card from a x8 PCIe slot to another PCIe x8 slot, the error code 12 is gone... only error 31 remains. And, when I swap it to a x16 PCIe slot card all errors remain plus my Ethernet card stops working and shows the same error code 12.

Does that mean anything? Any NI engineer please help? I already emailed and phoned a lot of engineers from NI but they really seems don't care. I am really sorry to say this, but it is what I am seeing.

[TimS.]

Well, it's good that you were able to get rid of error code 12. That is the worse one since Windows can't even access your device with that one. For Error 31, I had to go on Microsofts website to look it up since I don't speak spanish, "Code 31 This device is not working properly because Windows cannot load the drivers required for this device. (Code 31)". For this error I believe your issue is something you asked me earlier about having to download different drivers for 64-bit OS vs 32-bit OS. I am using 32-bit Win7 so I never had this issue. I believe that there is an advanced properties option somewhere in device manager to force the driver to run in legacy (32-bit) mode. Maybe you can try that to get your driver to work.

Regards,

Tim S.

[mr_ · Accepted solution]

Filipe-  I think I can help here. With the T5500, we should try slot 2 or 4. We have seen some peculiar interrupt issues with Dell's slot 1 and you may or may not see this behavior too. Unfortunately, I don't have all the details regarding that issue. Regardless, there is also a known issue with Dell's BIOS that limits the PCIe bus number range, which can lead to unexpected behavior when extending your PCIe bus via MXI-Express.

This leaves us with a couple of options:

1- We can upgrade your BIOS to not have the bus number range limitation so low

Dell may have a BIOS available for the T5500. You may want to contact Dell Tech Support and ask for another BIOS that has been released---it may not be available on via the web.

2- We can try to leverage the MXI-Express BIOS Compatibility Software v1.4, which support multi-root complexes

You'll have to sign up for the beta software at ni.com/beta. Once approved, you should be able to download and install accordingly.

I'll send you a PM about #1. I'd like to help us much as possible.

Regards,

[Abel_Souza]

What Versions of NI-RFSA and NI-RFSG drivers do have you installed into your computer? Follow the links of the last versions:

http://joule.ni.com/nidu/cds/view/p/id/1621/lang/en
http://joule.ni.com/nidu/cds/view/p/id/1620/lang/en

You also use the application attached on document linked bellow to verify limitations on your computer that cannot be corrected by MXI-Express BIOS Compatibility Software.

http://digital.ni.com/public.nsf/allkb/BF84B75E08D2A7708625763B00670007?OpenDocument

Regards,

Abel Souza

[FilipeTaveiros]

Awesome, let's do that. I am happy to help others that may have this problem in the future. So they won't soffer as much as I am. I already sent a PM to you with my email and signed up in the beta program.

Thank you.

[FilipeTaveiros]

Finally I was able to solve this issue. My thanks to users tsileo and Abel Souza, that helped me out, and my special thanks to user Tyler C that sent me a BETA BIOS update, specially developed to my WS Dell T500, that solved the problems of multiple root buses. After updating the bios, everything worked out.

Thanks.

Best regards.