NI-IMAQdx Installation Locks Up MAX

[StevePenny]

I have a test station that amongst other devices includes Princeton EM11000 and ES4020 cameras connected to the test station through a Redlake MegaPlusII Camera Control Console via a firewire link. Prior to installing NI Vision Acquisition 8.5.1 software MAX 4.4.1 detects the other devices on the test station and operates correctly. But once the Vision Acquisition software is install and I try to list devices in MAX under Devices and Interfaces MAX locks up. If I uninstall just NI-IMAQdx 3.1.2 (part of NI Vision Acquisition 8.5.1) MAX works correctly again, i.e. I can list the devices on the test station (but not the cameras) in MAX without MAX locking up.

 

I've installed the software that comes with the Redlake control console and that works correctly with NI-IMAQdx installed, it detects the cameras and captures images. The camera control software we've developed that utilises IMAQdx also works correctly.

 

We do have another test station that contains the same software and hardware as the one I'm having problems with and MAX works correctly on that test station. Are there any configuration files that I can copy from one test station to the other that might solve the problem?

 

Steve

[Hillman]

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the post and I hope your well.

I wouldn't recommend copying configuration files across.

If the issue is restricted to one machine - then I would recommend comparing the setups of the machines.. Have you instaleld any Service Packs on the machine?

But Im afraid the fastest resolution maybe to Re-install the software in the correct order on to the machine. You can use MsiBlast to ensure and clean re-install. 

Also have you verified the machine isn't damaged in any way.. such as the PCI links.

Kind Regards,
James.

[StevePenny]

James

The test station uses WindowsXP Pro, which has Service Pack 2 installed.

We have following NI software installed:

LabView 8.5.1

LabWindows/CVI 8.5.1

LabView SignalExpress 2.5

TestStand 4.1

Vision Acquisition 8.5.1

Vision Development Module 8.5.0

Can you confirm that the above order is the correct installation order

Thanks

Steve 

[Hillman]

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the update.

Just remember this order,

1) Uninstall using these steps if possible.

2) Install Applications (no drivers and no hardware connected) - reboot.

3) Install Drivers (no hardware connected) - reboot.

4) Connect Hardware - use Windows Wizard to 'install' (locate) driver.

Please let us know how you get on, and if no joys - we can look into your issue further.

Also, you may want to generate a MAX Configuration report (MAX>>File>>New Report..). This will help compare your NI Configuration between the machines.

Kind Regards,
James.

[StevePenny]

James

I've uninstalled all NI software and reinstalled it as per reference but MAX still locks up with NI-IMAQdx 3.1.2 installed.

I've tried to get a configuration report using MAX but this also locks up MAX when NI-IMAQdx is installed!

Uninstalling NI-IMAQdx stops the lockups as I've said before.

I've attached two configuration reports, ni_support002.zip is the installation that does not lock up MAX, ni_support001.zip is the problem installation.

You'll notice that ni_support001.zip does not contain any information on NI-IMAQdx, I had to unistall it to get the report.

Regards

Steve

[Hillman]

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the update.

I will look into this issue, the files and I have also escallted the issue to the team in the states (as I am an UK Applications Engineer).

I don't know which office you are assigned too, but if you would like to discuss the issue please either contact your local office, or if your in the UK - 01635 523545 and ask to speak to James Hillman.

I will update you when I have more suggestions.

[Hillman]

Hi NI Forums!

Steve has contacted NI Tech Support and I will post the outcomes of our research and solution.

Kind Regards,
James.

[Hillman]

Hi All,

We resolved Steven's issue by reisntalling NI Vision Acquisition.

I would like to post some general advice for people whom have issues with IMAQ(dx): 

*May want to start with a clean machine...

1. Key - Simplify the setup. i.e. connect the cameras directly to the test machine.

2. Uninstall the redlake software

3. Install only IMAQdx.

4. IMAQdx 3.1.2 doesnt work, try version 3.2. 

My approach is: clean machine, install only IMAQdx, try one camera then try the second and then add all other pieces of hardware.

I hope this helps,

[StevePenny]

Solution from my perspective was:

 Cameras were not connected directly to the test machine as they have a proprietary interface, both the Princeton EM11000 and Princeton ES4020 cameras were connected to the Redlake (Princeton) MegaPlusII Camera Control Console, which in turn was connect to the test machine via a firewire link. MAX should see this configuration as one legacy firewire camera. 

Vision Acquisition Software 8.5.1 is delivered with MAX 4.3 but MAX 4.3 was not installed on the test machine due to MAX 4.4.1 already being installed as part of the setup of other NI devices.

 

Vision Acquisition Software 8.6 is delivered with MAX 4.5.

Full uninstall and reinstall of all NI and Redlake (Princeton) software made no difference. Updating Vision Acquisition Software 8.5.1 to 8.6 (IMAQdx 3.1.2 to 3.2) and MAX 4.4.1 to 4.5 solved the problem. Is the solution to use the version of MAX shipped with the Vision Acquisition Software? But as James suggests a structured installation on a clean test machine might well have avoided the problem in the first place.

 

Thanks for your help James

 

Steve

[Hillman]

Hi Steve,

Glad to hear that its working.

Reinstallation might have worked but the upgrade likely resolved the issue because we didnt see anomalous behavior but more a performance issue. IMAQdx was probably trying to query the cameras and failing.

Hope your well,