Finally we're back on track...
Hi and thanks Neos. In response Yes and No. In synopsis:
Yes, I think it is definitely an issue with application instances. But no, I don't have an answer - I think because I was trying to do the impossible and share global variables across instances/exectuables. Possibly using VI server will prove to be a productive route possibly not. At this point I'm not sure and need to do some reading.
But quite frankly I'm not sure I care. I was hoping that there would be a simple answer. It's fine that there isn't as I can work around it - but I have to focus on using Labview to get data not on how to use Labview to get data. My VIs work when opened in the main application instance so I shall stick to that and tell our users not to be stupid.
Thanks to everyone for all your responses (even the obtuse and condesending ones - you made me laugh). However, it seems that this thread has run it's course and is too polluted/obscure to prove any use to anybody else out there. So unless you have a nugget (and I mean a really big one) I suggest you don't bother replying - you'll just pollute the internet further and anger the God of data.
