MAX3.1.1 hangs after installing LAB-PC+

[bkoch27]

I have installed NI-DAQ6.9.3 and manually configured the LAB-PC+ (jumper settings and Add New Hardware wizard).  It shows up OK in Windows Device Manager and shows that it is using resources that have no conflicts (IRQ5, DMA1, Address320).  However, now when I start up MAX3.1.1 it will hang when I try to expand the 'Devices and Interfaces' tab.  The only other thing installed is a PCI-GPIB card and that was working properly as I installed it first.  Is there something I could be missing?  The computer itself doesn't freeze so I can end MAX through Windows Task Manager.

I'm using NI-488.2 Version 2.4 for Windows 2000/XP (2005).

Thanks

[JoeFriedchicken]

Hi,

It looks like you have a newer version of MAX installed than what is supported by your Traditional NI-DAQ driver. You've chosen the correct NI-DAQ driver for your device because the NI-DAQ 7.0 Readme[1] says that support for the LAB-PC card was discontinued in 7.0. Unfortunately, you have MAX 3.1.1 which installs with Traditional NI-DAQ 7.4.4 [2].

In order for your DAQ card to be recognized in MAX, you need to revert your MAX installation. Please try these steps:

1. Uninstall MAX and any NI-DAQ drivers on your system.
2. Turn off your computer and remove your GPIB and DAQ cards.
3. Turn on your computer and install Traditional NI-DAQ 6.9.3 and any other drivers you need.
4. Reboot your computer.
5. Turn off your computer and install the GPIB and DAQ card.
6. Let Windows auto-detect your drivers.
   

If you're still having problems, please tell me what version of Windows are you using and the results after each step above. Thanks!

[1] NI-DAQ 7.0 Readme
http://ftp.ni.com/support/softlib/multifunction_daq/nidaqmx/7.0/ni-daq_7_0_readme.htm

[2] What Version of MAX (Measurement & Automation Explorer) Is Installed with NI-DAQ?
http://digital.ni.com/public.nsf/allkb/EE0FB9EB80AE148686257336006CED22?OpenDocument

[bkoch27]

FYI... I'm using Win XP Pro (This single board industrial PC that I bought to control our equipment apparently doesn't support NT like I was hoping...)

Unfortunately, it appears one cannot uninstall MAX 3.1.1 without also uninstalling all dependent NI components (NI-DAQ, as well as NI-VISA and NI-488.2).  So, I did that (uninstalled everything NI) and reinstalled NI-DAQ 6.9.3.  Then, I was able to get to the Lab-PC+ using MAX 2.2.  Now, I get the following error upon trying Test Panels: "The device is not responding to the selected base address.  Would you like to continue anyway?"  I double checked and the A5-A9 sliders correspond to address 320, which it is configured to use and has no conflicts...

Interestingly, now if I install NI-488.2 from the Version 2.4 CD (for WinXP), which installs MAX 3.1.1 over MAX 2.2, I can go into MAX 3.1.1 and still see the Lab-PC+ just fine, however, I get the same error.  I've double checked by clicking 'Yes' and going into Test Panel and it does appear to not be reading correctly on Analog Channel 0.

So, I now have everything showing up correctly and apparently functioning, except the test panel for Lab-PC+ isn't working.  I may try switching to other base addresses just for fun, but do you have any other suggestions?

Thanks,

Barry

[bkoch27]

Thanks for all the help by the way... I have an update.

I've switched to Address 240, same thing.

I also tried all the possible iterations of A5-A9 slider settings assuming I could be mis-interpreting orientation, etc.  Still no luck, I still get the base address error.

Is there a way to run a diagnostic on the board to see if it's malfunctioning.

Thanks.

[JoeFriedchicken]

Hi Barry,

It sounds like you've set your base address jumpers correctly (or at least exhausted all of the combinations :-). You may also want to check your IRQ and DMA jumper settings. Chapter 2 of the Lab-PC+ manual explains this procedure well.

Lab-PC+ User Manual

Another possibility is a blown fuse on the board. Please refer to the article below for more information.

Lab-PC+ Not Responding to Selected Base Address

If you're still having problems, please let me know what you try and what happens.

[bkoch27]

Here's a list of things I've tried this morning:

i) Verified IRQ & DMA jumpers; ii) Checked fuse- R=0.2Ohms & this is the same as the spare on the board; iii) Tried different IRQ- now using IRQ=7; iv) Tried different DMA- now using DMA=3; v) tried various different Base Addresses (100, 1E0, 200, 240, 320, 380)- my reasoning being perhaps only one of the A5-A9 sliders was malfunctioning....

In all cases I'm still getting the same error: "The device is not responding to the selected base address"

The only other thing I can think of (as I'm writing this) is trying a different ISA bus.  I'll do that and let you know if I have success.

Otherwise, anything else I can try?

Thanks

[JoeFriedchicken]

Hi Barry,

Thanks for double-checking your jumper settings. Trying the board in a different ISA slot is a good idea. There are a few other things to try as well:

1. Can you get the Lab-PC+ board to work in another computer?
2. Can you get a different ISA board to work in your current computer?

We're trying to isolate whether there is a general board failure or if there is another problem elsewhere in the computer system.

[bkoch27]

Joe,

Thanks for all your help... I think I have some closure.  I was able to try the Lab-PC+ board in an old NT machine that I scrounged up and it worked fine.  The difference is that with NT in MAX one can add the device directly from within MAX.  I've played around with different version of MAX on XP and although they will install they will not give an option to 'Insert' a Lab-PC+ within the MAX window.  One must use WinXP Add New Hardware Wizard, then one inevitably will get the address error.  My guess is it just won't work, which is a shame because I have a working DAQ card and all I want to do is read a simple analog voltage.  Alas, such is life.  I did manage to get ahold of a newer USB DAQPad, which I'm sure should work...

[JoeFriedchicken]

Hi Barry,

Thanks for your feedback. Lab-PC+ was last supported by Windows 2000 and Windows NT according to this thread:

multiple DAQ (LAb-PC+ and AT-MIO-16E-10)