TestStand GPIB error

[kphite]

My system: Windows XP, Labview 6.1, TestStand 2.0, NI PCI-GPIB card, Keithley 7001 Switch System, Keithley 24xx Sourcemeters, Agilent 34970A Data Acq/Switch Unit, Tektronix 5004 and PS2521G power supplies, Lecroy DSO, Agilent 33250A FGEN.

I get an GPIB error 6 (EABO) error when cold starting TestStand and executing my sequence. If I terminate the execution and run MAX (scan for instruments) and then restart my sequence the error disappears. If I run the instrument VI's without first running TestStand they run fine, however If I try and run them after I get the error during sequence execution they also get error 6. But, if I run MAX (scan for instruments) they run without errors.

All my GPIB functions are the old style (not 488.2). I'm not using VIS
A anywhere, since I've found the VISA functions to be even less reliable on my system.

I tried sending a standard *IDN? to one of my instruments as an early step in my sequence but it hangs as well (works fine after running MAX). I also tried increasing the timeouts but it didn't help.

I'm posting this under the TestStand category because as I said the VI's work fine until TestStand is run.

Any suggestions?

[Shannon R]

Kphite,

We haven't seen this problem before. My first thought is that there is some additional step happening in TestStand that is affecting your GPIB board. To troubleshoot, look at the sequence and make sure that the steps in your sequence are the same steps that are occurring when you execute just the VI. Second, I would try making a sequence with just one GPIB VI to ensure that only a limited behavior is occurring.

If the errors still occur from TestStand and not from LabVIEW, let us know. It would probably be best to contact us by email which you can initiate at www.ni.com/ask

I hope this helps.

Shannon R.
Applications Engineer
National Instruments