Errors while trying to deploy pda labview 8 tutorial

[biographie]

I am including the text file with the errors.  From what I have read, I am assuming I messed up.  I am just learning about the PDA stuff.  I am using a Dell Axim X51v.  I only had embedded visiual C++ 4.0 and pocket pc 2003 stuff installed with the pda module for labview.  Everything I am reading is telling me that I need visual studio 2005 and the new 8.0.1 upgrade.  Will this fix my problem?  Also, I am assuming I need to uninstall the pda module currently, and then install visual studio and then the pda module.  Is this correct?  I am wondering if the module wasn't able to load these files because it could not find the microsoft develop stuff first.  Thanks.

PS - I was following the directions included in the pda module package for installing the Bluetooth and SMS stuff.  The Axim said it installed correctly, but there could be issues becuase it was written for a previous version.  Do I still need these items with Mobile 5, or what?

[Megan B.]

Hi biographie,

The additional software required to run LV PDA is all listed in this KnowledgeBase, Where Can I Find the Microsoft Tools I Need for the LabVIEW PDA Module?.  If you are using Windows Mobile 5.0, then you indeed need MS Visual Studio 2005 and the 8.0.1 upgrade.  You're correct that the best method is going to be to uninstall lthe PDA module, install the secondary software, and then reinstall LV PDA (and then the 8.0.1 upgrade). 

I believe you you still need to follow the instructions for Bluetooth and SMS, but I'm not really sure what directions you are talking about.  Can you please post the name of the document you are referring to?

Thanks,
Megan B.
Applications Engineer
National Instruments

[Greycat]

This is a little off topic but ...  I was looking at using the AXIM x51v for my project but, after many dialogues with Dell, I was told that the bluetooth implementation in the Axim would not use the WIDCOMM drivers (as it uses the MS BT drivers [which only work some of the time anyways]) ... just would not work.  If you are using Bluetooth connectivity with the Axim through Labview ... I would love to know.  Have you been successful at this?  Or perhaps this is the problem ....Thanks.

Greycat

[biographie]

Hi Megan,

Thanks for the links.  I found those links when I started having issues.  The document I am referring to is the "Getting Started with Labview PDA Module" guide that came with the pda module cd.  The bluetooth and sms installs are discussed in the additional tools section.

It looks as if I might have success.  I did a bad thing and uninstalled embedded c++ 4 assuming that visual studio 2005 would handle whatever the labview pda module was requiring.  Wrong!  You need to keep embedded 4 and whatever sdk versions installed as is, and add studio 2005 on top of that with the last step being the pda module update for labview.  As of last night, I was getting both pocket pc 2003 and mobile 5 target items in the project window.  I will try to deploy the tutorial to the actual device today.

Do you have no idea what those errors were caused by in the text file I uploaded?  Maybe I will get lucky with all the software reinstalling I have done, and it will be fixed.

I don't plan on using bluetooth.  But you never know in the future.  What I do have a need for is to be able to communicate between a spectrum analyzer (gpib or ethernet) and the pda.  I also want to do some ftp stuff between the pda and other devices.

One thing that I am finding very disturbing is the limited capability of the pda feature.  It seems more gimmick than useful.  Why on earth don't we have VISA available?  More and more of these pda devices are coming with wireless networking built into them.  It would be nice to be able to communicate with instruments via ethernet/network.  Do we have TCP communication available?  Is it possible to commicate with instruments with a raw TCP socket without the VISA layer?  Meaning, can I send GPIB style visa commands over a TCP connection, and expect responses.  What would I need to make it work?

[tst]

a) I agree. To some extent, the PDA module still looks like an experiment and not like a finished product. I expect that most of the problems with it come from not being able to have an RTE and having to translate the code to C.

b) VISA isn't available because it's a demanding addition. Porting the VISA layer to CE is probably not worth it due to PDAs having limited processing power and to the small market size. There are TCP and UDP functions available in the communications pallete which you can use to transfer data. There are also serial functions in the palettes. You can find examples for both in the example finder.

[Megan B.]

Hi biographie,

Unfortunately I don't know exactly what factor was causing the errors you saw when you tried to deploy.  The most likely cause is that LV 8.0 doesn't support Windows Mobile (you may be able to build the executable and then transfer it to the PDA).  The software compatibility issues with Embedded and Visual Studio were also likely a part of the problem.  I think it's very likely that straightening that out and upgrading to 8.0.1 will make the difference. 

I certainly understand your frustration with the limitations of PDA.  I know that R&D is looking into a number of different features.  I highly recommend you submit a product suggestion for any features you are particularly looking for (http://digital.ni.com/applications/psc.nsf/default?openform).  These suggestions go straight to R&D and are a good way to get your voice heard.

I hope this helps,
Megan Beck
Applications Engineer
National Instruments

[MTU Grad Student]

Hello,

Today was my first day of building the PDA tutorial with Labview 8.0 and its accompanying "Labview PDA module 8.0". I am actually in Michigan Tech Univ, where Labview is over the network and I asked my system administrator today to install the required 3 # of "MS embedded softwares".

When I processed the step - by - step information and was BUILDING the PDA application for deploying in the Pocket PC 2003 target ( as an emulator ), the build specification with the example tutorial - Pocket PC tutorial as given in the "PDA module for Pocket PC Tutorial" chapter of "Getting started with Labview PDA module - version 8.0".....processed  all the 28 files that it required. However, after the 28 files...it showed me the waiting  and came up with an error saying -
                              " Error building executable. Unable to create file." An unknown error occured. Please contact National Instruments for more help.

Was this build error because -
(1) The system administrator installed Labview PDA module 8.0 before the embedded tools from Microsoft, or due to,

(2) Labview requires "usable space" to BUILD and DEPLOY applications - that may not be possible in my case because I do not have an "administrator access" on the University's network.

Will, reinstallation of the MS embedded tools and the Labview PDA module 8.0 solve this issue?

Niranjan.

[MTU Grad Student]

Attached here are the tutorial files that I am having problems with in the PDA module 8.0 tutorial  -  "BUILD error" - ....i forgot to post before.

Niranjan.

[Andy F.]

Niranjan,

To answer your first question the order of the Installation of the Microsoft tools shouldn't matter.  I have forgotten to install one tool or another before and installed them after LabVIEW PDA and have had no problems, so I don't think this is the case.  Probably more likely is your second question.  I would open your Build Specification for the PDA Application and check to see where the file that is being generated is being put.  If you open the Build Specification this setting will be on the Application Info page and is listed as the Destination Directory.  Is this path to a local folder on your computer or to the network.  Building this file to the network will almost certainly cause an error, so make sure that you specificy a local folder. 

Hope this helps!
Andy F.

[m.lancini]

I'm a total newbie for what concerns PDA applications so maybe I got something wrong...

..but it seems I have the same problem of Niranjan...

I'm trying to build an example vi usign my pocketpc (2003) as a target using labview 8.0

I installed first labview 8 then embedded c++ sp4 and then pocket pc sdk 2003.

Finally I installed labview 8 pda module.

but every time I try to build a vi (even the supplied examples) I get a

" Error building executable. Unable to create file." An unknown error occured. Please contact National Instruments for more help

my destination folder is \my documents on the PDA and a local folder on my pc, and I have access to both and a lot of space on both...

I tried even build the same vi for a PDA emulator target and I get the same cryptic error message...

any idea?