While using Build App installer, how does one include drivers for hardware

[Bahadir]

I have a LabView vi and I would like to create an application to be installed on a different computer that also requires a PCI-6503 digital IO card for the purpose. While using Build Application to create the installer, is there a way I can include the necessary hardware drivers for the DIO card?

   Thanks.

    -Bahadir

[Philip_Courtois]

Hi Bahadir,

Your request for the option of including specific drivers (in your case NI-DAQmx) with the installer of your executable is something that is something we have heard from many customers. With any version of LabVIEW up to 7.1.1, you have always had to install the drivers separately or in best case by creating your own *.bat file that defines the installation procedure of the driver.

However, LabVIEW 8 is here for your rescue! We have listened to our customers and now you have the simple option of putting a checkmark for the option of the driver you want to be distributed with your installer. Check these options from the Installer Provider:



Please read more about the new possibilities with LabVIEW 8 from this tutorial:

Distributing Applications with the LabVIEW Application Builder 

The best part of it all is that you can try it all (including Application Builder) out by downloading the Evaluation version here:

LabVIEW 8 Evaluation Software Download 

Notice that the Evaluation version of LabVIEW 8 is similar to the Professional Development System, except from a watermark and the fact that is only runs for 30 days. Everything else is possible!!!

Try out LabVIEW 8 and check out all the other places we have listened to our customers...

Have fun!

[Bahadir]

How is the situation with LabWindows? Can LabWindows package the required hw drivers into the same installer with the executable?

   take care,

   Bahadir

[Philip_Courtois]

Hi Bahadir,

You should ask this question in the dedicated LabWindows/CVI forum instead.

Good luck!

[JohanL]

Hi Philip,

I don't see NI-VISA in the Additional Installers list. I have tried re-installing NI-VISA 3.4 (runtime and server), but it still doesn't show up in LabVIEW 8 additional installers. Any clues? Thanks!

[Philip_Courtois]

Hi Johan,

As far as I know, NI-VISA 3.4 should show up fine after being installed. However, I will verify this on my own machines.

I'll get back to you...

[Yukee]

Philip,

        I have tried LV8.0, I find as I created an executable file. there are not installer. but some files, an *.exe file.

where is the installer ? such as LV7.1, it can create an installer and a *.exe file ? 

[JohanL]

Hi Philip,

It's allright now. All we need to do was to install the NI-VISA using the full Drivers CD installer. Apparently the Additional Installers does not recognize individually installed drivers, and the list will only be populated after installing the same drivers from the Drivers CD. Cheers!

Johan

[Philip_Courtois]

Hi Yukee,

In LabVIEW 8 we introduce something called "Build Specifications". These Build Specifications describe how to build a certain object. That object can be an executable (as you already tried), a DLL, a ZIP file, etc. The interesting thing is that the installer is now also a creatable object and therefore has to be created after the executable.

Please read more in the following tutorial:

What Is The Build Specification Feature In Application Builder?

Have fun - and more of it with LabVIEW 8!

[Yukee]

Philip,

          Thanks, as the link that I got it. the operation is from the small Window, normally, I ignore it.