Problem controlling syringe pumps with LabVIEW 2013

[labgirl86]

Hello all, 

I am trying to use a program that was sent to me by a collaborator to control 2 KD Scientific syringe pumps using LabVIEW.  The pumps are connected to a Windows 7 computer via a phone line attached to the pump, which is then connected to an RJ11 to D-type RS-232 converter.  A Hawking Technology RS-232 to USB converter cable connects this converter to a USB port on the computer (this is because our computer only has 1 serial port but we have 2 syringe pumps).  This is the same set-up my collaborator was using and it worked with no issues.  

The problem arises when we try to control the syringe pumps with the LabVIEW program.  We have drivers for both the Hawking cables and KD Scientific syringe pumps installed on the computer, but our computer only recognizes that the cable is plugged in--it does not recognize the syringe pump as a "device."  We can run the LabVIEW program, but essentially nothing happens.  When we press "stop," we get an error message that says "Error 1073807202 occurred at VISA Open in KD Scientific 2XX series initialize vi."  I believe this means that the computer/LabVIEW is not able to communicate with the pumps even though we have the drivers installed and in the same folder as the program.

I am attaching the program we are trying to run (it is Version 2, it includes drivers for the syringe pumps), the driver we installed for the cables, as well as a screen shot of the error message.  If anyone knows of anything we can try it would be much appreciated.  The author of the program was at a loss since it worked just fine on his computer.

Thank you in advance!

Laura 

[NIquist]

Those USB to RS-232 adapters are notorius for mixing up COM ports.  Have you confirmed that the correct ports are being used?

[carlos_camargo]

It sounds like you have a problem with the configuration of your computer.  Make sure both are configured the exact same way with the same user (admin or whatever).  Check that the hardware registered properly through the hardware monitor.  If it is not being seen by the OS, then the LV can't really do anything about it.

Once you get past the OS:

Start by testing each of the components of the system (check that initialize works, etc...).

If LV can't pass, if possible see if they work through the command line.

If command line works and LV doesn't, you know where to go look for a solution.

[labgirl86 · Accepted solution]

I am indeed sure that the pumps are plugged into the correct COM ports.  So I just thought of something...I noticed on the NI website that there are drivers for NI VISA.  I know for a fact that I haven't installed those on this particular computer.  Does it make sense that these missing drivers could be the issue?  That would explain the error at VISA open.  I don't have administrative rights for this computer so I have to wait for an admin to log in and install the drivers.  I'll give an update with what happens.  Thanks everyone!  

[Dennis_Knutson]

Yes, the error message means that VISA is not installed.

[labgirl86]

That was the problem!  It works great now.  Thanks to everyone who offered suggestions 🙂