How do I integrate the DAQ assistant?

[aminuteq]

I am using LabView Express 7.0.  I'm trying to do data acquisition with an instrument using a GPIB connection.  My LabView did not show a "DAQ assistant" function under the function menu, so I downloaded DAQmx.  Now that I have it downloaded, I still can't manage to create a "DAQ assistant" function.  How would I go about doing that?

[Dennis_Knutson]

Let's forget about your problem about not being able to run the DAQ Assistant. If you have a GPIB instrument, then you don't use DAQmx/DAQ Assistant at all. In the world of NI, when the word 'data acquisition' is mentioned, what every is talking about is the use of the DAQ boards from NI. For your generic 'acqusition of data" from a GPIB instrument, you should first search for a driver for it and if that doesn't work, you can try the Instrument I/O Assistant or write your own driver.

[Chad B]

Just to expand a bit on what Dennis said, if you're looking to control a specific instrument via GPIB, you might be able to find a driver for that instrument at ni.com/idnet.  If you do, download it, copy it to your instr.lib folder, and look for the VIs in the Instrument I/O palette.  If you can't find a driver there, you could also look at the VISA examples in Example Finder and refer to your instrument documentation for GPIB commands to use.  Good luck!