"You have upgraded your 488.2 software" with USB to GPIB adapter

[jaydiep]

I'm developing an application using LabView 8.2.1 on a laptop, and almost every time I plug the USB to GPIB converter into it I get this message.  It wants to install the USB to GPIB adapter each time (new hardware wizard) which sometimes is successful and sometimes not for no obvious reason.  When it doesn't work I get initialization errors when trying to interface to the GPIB instruments (Agilent 87xx Vector Network Analyzers) and my application won't run as a result. Contrary to what the message says, I haven't upgraded the 488.2 software, and don't know why I get this message.  Is there someplace I can find the compatibility table between LabView 8.2.1, 488.2, USB to GPIB converter, and NI-VISA versions?  Sorry for the convoluted description, but it's a very confusing situation.  Thanks for any suggestions.

[Chad B]

As long as you have a relatively recent version of 488.2, it should work fine with LabVIEW, but it sounds like the problem is happening before LabVIEW is even involved.  Which specific GPIB USB device is it?  Also, have you tried this GPIB interface on another computer?

[jaydiep]

Chad, thanks for your reply.  This is a NI GPIB-USB-B adapter, and it works on other computers.  The others are desktop machines, while the one that's acting up is a laptop.  All are running Win XP.

Jay

[Chad B]

If the same thing is not happening on the other computers, here's what I'd do.  I know it seems like overkill, but I think Windows is loading a corrupted version of the driver.  Here's how to fix it:

1. Plug in the GPIB-USB-B and install it (if Windows can find it, that is.)
2. Right-click My Computer, click Properties, click the Hardware tab, and open Device Manager.
3. Find the GPIB-USB-B in the list (probably under National Instruments GPIB Interfaces), right-click it, and select Uninstall.
4. Once the uninstall is completed, unplug the GPIB-USB-B.
5. Open Control Panel, go to Add/Remove Programs, and click National Instruments.  Then click the Change button.
6. Click NI-488.2 and NI-VISA, and uninstall them both.  Reboot after both are uninstalled.
   
7. Download the latest versions of NI-488.2 and NI-VISA from the following two links:
   http://joule.ni.com/nidu/cds/view/p/id/335/lang/en
   http://joule.ni.com/nidu/cds/view/p/id/831/lang/en
8. Install both of those packages, then reboot.
9. Plug in your GPIB-USB-B, and it should install with a shiny new driver.
10. Run some tests, then try unplugging and reconnecting the device.  Everything should work swimmingly now.

If it doesn't, please let me know.  Thanks!

[jaydiep]

Chad,

Thanks for your reply.  I did what you suggested, but when replugging the USB-GPIB-B after installing the latest versions of NI 488.2 and NI-VISA I got the same "A problem occurred with your hardware installation" message.  Do you have any suggestions on what to do next?

Thanks.

Jay

[Chad B]

Jay,

Have you tried it in multiple USB ports on that computer? Can you isolate the issue to a certain port?

Also, what model is the laptop? Some laptops have power-saving features that wreak havoc on USB drivers.

[jaydiep]

This is an IBM ThinkPad R40, and I've been consistently using the rear USB port.  It has a second one on the side which I'll try.  It's been inconsistent with the rear port - sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.  There's no obvious pattern to it.  I'll try the other one and let you know.

Thanks.  Jay