Using GPIB-USB HS with Labview 3.1

[bui]

Hi,

I have a old computer with Labview 3.1 and Windown 3.1, and the GPIB card in the old computer is broken.

I am using Labview to make some measurements via GPIB.

So I switched to a new computer and I am still using the old vi with the conversion kit from NI (which I can run Labview 3.1 in Windows XP)

I also bought the GPIB-USB HS, and installed it.

The problem now is that there is a GPIB function in Labview 3.1 which I need to tell it the address of the GPIB.

After switching to the GPIB-USB HS, I dont know what is the address.

It doesnt show in any port # in the device manager.

I also tried from 0~127, and none of them works.

Do I need to modify anything in the vi of Labview 3.1?

And how do I find out the address of the GPIB-USB HS?

Thanks

[Dennis_Knutson]

What version of NI-488.2 did you install? With later versions (later than for win 3.1), with the driver, there is a program called Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX) installed. This is a utility program that you use to configure the GPIB controller. You first intall the driver and then when you plug in the GPIB-USB, it will recognize it. If you have MAX installed, the controller should be listed there.

[bui]

Yes, there is a MAX program.

But how can I use it with Labview 3.1 ( how do I send any input or set any address in Labview 3.1)?

Thanks

[Dennis_Knutson]

You don't use MAX with LabVIEW. You use MAX to verify that the GPIB controller is installed and working. You can also use MAX to find any instruments that are connected and what their addresses are. The first step is to make sure that MAX sees the controller and all is okay there before worrying about LabVIEW.

Now, whether you can use the GPIB functions in LabVIEW 3.1, I have no idea. The GPIB-USB-HS is one of the newest controllers from NI and you need to be running a recent version of NI-488.2 in order for it to work. NI dropped support for LabVIEW 3.1 a very, very long time ago and their is a distinct possiblity that 3.1 will not work with this controller. Maybe someone from NI would have a definite answer.

Frankly, I think it's about time you upgraded your version of LabVIEW.

[bui]

Yes, I want to swtich to newer version of Labview.

But I will need to rewrite all the vi if I change from 3.1 to 7.1 or 8.1

[Dennis_Knutson]

You won't have to rewrite everything. You may not have to rewrite anything at all. It really depends on what functions you have in the old program. I'd say post the VI but 3.1 is to old to directly load into recent versions of LabVIEW. You will need a special conversion package that is free from NI. Some people have the converter, though and it probably wouldn't hurt to post it so someone can look at it and judge how much rework is required.

[bui]

I have the conversion package from NI.

I haven't tried to convert it yet, because I think there will be lots of problems after conversion.

I attached the library anyway.

Thanks for you help.

[xseadog]

Hey BUI,

unable to help as you have not provided the converted vi's

Suggest that you zip a back up of your oripinal file/library.
Then do a conversion and upload the code.

Another suggestion is to do screen dumps of your coding  so that you have some documentation

Most 'painters' have migrated to labview versions higher than 6.1. So do the conversion as no one can help unless than still run with 3.1 or 4. Both these versions are pre 2000

xseadog

[Krista H]

Hi,

The version that supports the USB-GPIB-HS is version 2.4. As can be seen in the readme.txt file this supports back to LabVIEW 6.1. This is the oldest version of LabVIEW that this can be used with. As for your VI's if you would post your VI's or the versions of them after the upgrade this would be helpful. We might be able to look at them and see if you might be encountering alot of issues because of an upgrade to LabVIEW.

[Nick_D]

Hey Bui,

Regarding the issue about finding the address, you should be able to click on the GPIB0 in MAX, and it should display the image. I've attached both a screenshot of MAX, and the labVIEW<->GPIB.vi  that you can find in labVIEW. It's a simple program that does communication with a GPIB device. If you go to labVIEW and open the menu, Help->Find Examples...->Search(Tab)->And search for GPIB, you should be able to find the VI.

If this doesn't work, just let us know, and I can introduce another troubleshooting strategy afterwards.

Message Edited by Nick D on 04-09-2007 03:35 PM