nidmfpan.exe won't start test panel

[encore]

Here's the full history... we've been building new computers and USB6008 into a complete product, testing them, and shipping them. All use XP Pro, none use a hub other than what's on the PC's motherboard. Our computer is a single-board AMD LX800 by Lippert.

We took an identical computer (not yet installed in a system) and attached an older USB6008 module of unknown history (but under 2 years old) for an experiment. This was the first time our software setup refused to start test panels. I assumed there was a problem with the computer, so I moved the USB cable from the separate computer to the computer in our tested product. That computer which had been running before and was ready to ship, now also refused to start test panels. That made me think the USB module was at fault, so I put the tested product back together, and the previously working computer now refused to start test panels.

At this point I started this thread. Since then we've reformatted the installed computer, reloaded XP and NI software, then reattached the tested USB6008OEM, and had the same results.

At this point I have two computers and 2 or 3 USB modules that are "infected". I'm hesitant to experiment with further computers and USB modules, since we still need to ship product.  As you probably know, it takes more than 10 minutes to reload XP, and since this newly-formatted computer won't work, there's no working restore point to go back to.

If there's a procedure to re-flash the USB6008OEM with known good firmware, or otherwise put it in "stupid" mode so it'll ask XP for clean firmware when it's reconnected, that would help narrow things down as well. My other thought is a recently-deployed Microsoft update might conflict with NI software.

Tom / Encore

[Brooks_C]

Hello Tom,

Would it be alright if I contacted you directly to work on this issue via email or telephone?  You can post back with contact info if you like, or if you'd like to keep that information private just post back giving me permission to get your information from the IT department and I will contact you.

Best Regards,

[encore]

Sounds good to me. I just checked my NI profile, all the contact info there is correct.

Tom

[encore]

Okay, one more datapoint. We have a completely new computer, and never-programmed USB6008OEM board, which we've just assembled into a system. This set of hardware has never contacted any of the "infected" computers or USB6008 boards.

Partway through our test procedure, we use Test Panel to verify signal wiring.  This brand-new system also has the Test Panel crash problem. I'm now leaning 80% toward Microsoft updates for XP Pro being the source of the problem. I'm going to lowlevel format and reload XP again, and not let it connect to the internet. Then we'll see if the old "infected" hardware and computer work. If they work, I'll apply MS KB items one at a time, testing Test Panel between each update, to see when it breaks.

We're not doing anything exotic here - but I'm amazed nobody else has seen this problem.

Tom

[Brooks_C]

This customer has contacted National Instruments offline. This post will be updated when a solution is found.

Cheers,

[Brooks_C · Accepted solution]

This issue was resolved by installing the most recent version of NI-DAQmx (8.7.1).

Best Regards,