PCIe-6323 incompatibility with LabVIEW 7.1

[Steve_Cahill]

In the course of replacing an old test system's controller I recently bought a PCIe-6323 DAQ card to replace a PCI-6024, as PCI bus slots are limited for new machines, and I have run into a problem.

We run LabVIEW 7.1 as our corporate standard, and the advertised compatibility with LabVIEW for the PCIe-6323 was an important factor in the decision. I checked compatibility before I ordered (from the the NI support page "Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about NI-DAQmx and Traditional NI-DAQ (Legacy)" where the text claims that LabVIEW 7 or higher is supported by NI-DAQmx. The PCIe-6323 card needs NI-DAQmx 9.0. Unfortunately issues have arisen during the bring-up of the new setup; LabVIEW 7.1 doesn't see the PCIe-6323, even though I've apparently properly configured the device in the usual fashion using MAX.

In looking for the source of the problem, I found in the support page "NI-DAQ & LabVIEW Version Compatibility (for Windows)" that apparently NI-DAQmx version 9.0, which is needed to run the PCIe-6323, does not work with LabVIEW versions older than 8.2.

In looking for a solution I did find the directions for a backwards-compatibility solution "Traditional NI-DAQ Compatibility VIs 1.3 - Windows 2000/NT/XP" which claims to be a means by which most functions of those devices needing NI-DAQmx can be used with VIs written for LabVIEW 7.1; this would have worked for me, but unfortunately the installer fails with the message: "The installer was unable to locate the NI-DAQmx directory. The Traditional NI-DAQ Compatibility VIs require that both Traditional NI-DAQ and NIDAQmx already be installed on the system. Please install these drivers before installing the Compatibility VIs."

This message seems to be in error, as I have both "NI-DAQ 7.2, Traditional", and "NI-DAQmx 9.0.2" installed properly on the machine, per the "National Instruments Software" entry in the Add or Remove Software tool in the Control Panel. NI-DAQmx 9.0.2 appears to be functional as I can start and test-run the PCIe-6323 with Measurement and Automation Explorer and configure channels on the board; I just can't interface to it with LabVIEW.

Upgrading to LabVIEW 8.2 is not a solution because of the corporate standard use of LabVIEW 7.1; the work that I am doing will not be usable on other LabVIEW-enabled test stations if I change to the newer version.

Are there any options for solving this problem?

[Dennis_Knutson]

Don't think there is anything you can do. Support for 7.1 was dropped from the latest versions of DAQmx and the readme's on the download pages state this. The compatability VIs will be of no help either. What they are intended for is for programs that were written with traditional DAQ functions. They are VIs with the same names as functions in the traditional driver but they actually use DAQmx underneath.

LabVIEW 7.1 is old. What would it take to change this corporate standard to something supported by NI?

[Seth_B.]

Hello Steve,

Dennis is indeed correct.  Our X Series cards require NI-DAQmx 9.0 or later and NI-DAQmx 9.0 supports LabVIEW 8.2, 8.5, 8.6, and 2009.  NI-DAQmx support followed the NI LabVIEW Life Cycle Policy with regards to version support.  Moving forward, most new device drivers will no longer support LabVIEW 7.1.  You can look at the LabVIEW Life Cycle Policy page to get an idea of which versions are currently actively supported.  The NI PCIe-6251 would work for your application instead.  It is supported in NI-DAQmx 8.9, which was the last DAQmx version to support LabVIEW 7.1.  You should contact your NI sales representative and explain the situation.  They will be able to work with you to determine a good resolution to this issue.

Regards,

Message Edited by Seth B. on 12-03-2009 01:50 PM