NI PCIe-8362

[brokebelt]

We installed an NI PCIe-8362 into a Super c2sbc-q motherboard in the X4 pcie slot. The MXI4 8362 connected to two NI PXI-8360. The machine booted correctly for several days. After that we found the PC would not boot (hangs in BIOS). We removed the 8362 and the machine still doesn't boot but hangs in the BIOS. The same symptoms occurred after moving the 8362 to another Super c2sbc-q motherboard.  The motherboard/8362 combination seems to ruin the motherboard.

We had the same symptoms over a year ago but then the symptoms occured when we installed the 8362 into the video x16 PXIe slot. That "ruined" the motherboard but we determined by using a new Super C2sbc-q and installing the 8362 in the PCIe X4 slot the machine booted and all PXI I/O boards  booted worked correctly. In fact several machines in that configuration have been in constant use for over a year. That configuration : Super c2sbc-q and xPCIe 8362 in the X4 slot works for machines configured over a year ago, but is failing with recently purchased boards of the same type.

Do you have any experience or insight into how we could be ruining motherboards with the NI PCIe 8362/Super c2sbc-q motherboard combination?  Again this combination works well based on hardware from over a year ago. We can't understand why now we are seeing those symptoms - the motherboard becomes useless.  

[Joshua-B]

Hi brokebelt,

Is the PCIe slot on the motherboard intended to be used with a graphics or video card?  The user manual for the PCIe-8362 states on page 3-2 that "The BIOS or motherboard may not support the NI PCIe-8361/8362 in a slot 

intended for a graphics card."  I believe this is probably what was happening when you mentioned trying to use this card in a video x16 slot of a different motherboard.  If this card worked on an older version of the motherboard you are trying to use, it is possible that there has been a revision to either the motherboard or BIOS that makes it so it doesn't support anything other than a graphics card in that slot.  

I would recommend checking the user manual for the motherboard or check with the manufacturer to see if this slot is intended for a graphics card or not.  Hopefully this is helpful!  I'm going to attach a link to the PCIe-8362 user manual below.

MXI-Express x1 Series User Manual

http://forums.ni.com/t5/forums/replypage/board-id/270/message-id/12053

[Robert__R]

brokebelt,

That's a bizarre situation.  The NI PCIe-8362 doesn't really have a way to electrically damage the motherboard.  It can't draw enough power (because of fuses) to cause damage, and it's normal power draw is far below what those slots can provide.  Even if it could damage the PCIe lanes or other signals it would probably render the slot useless, not the motherboard.

So it sounds like the BIOS is getting into a bad state somehow.  Do you know if the versions are different between last year's boards and the new boards?  I assume you've tried clearing the BIOS.  Have you unplugged the power and pulled the CMOS battery for a while?  Is there any sort of BIOS recovery or second BIOS?  Can the motherboard vendor diagnose the motherboard?

- Robert

[brokebelt]

Hi Josh,

The motherboard's PCIe X4 slot is not associated with the motherboard graphics. The machine worked properly for several days with the PXIe8362 in the PCIe X4 slot of the motherboard before failing.   

We intentionally avoid installing the PXIe NI8362 in the PXIeX16 intended for graphics based on experience from over a year ago with this motherboard and PXIe8362 combination - that combination did fail in a similar manner and that's why we avoid it.

We are also working with the motherboard manufacturer in an attempt to determine the failure of the motherboard  (which no longer boots even without any PCIe/PCI cards in it) in order to determine the cause.

John

[Joshua-B]

Hi John,

We do have a utility that is a workaround for some common BIOS compatibility issues with MXI-Express.  I'm providing a link to the download below, but I'm hesitant to tell you to use this before you hear from the motherboard manufacturer because I don't want you to continue damaging motherboards needlessly.  I would at least recommend reading through the readme file for the utility though to see if it is something you would like to try.

MXI-Express BIOS Compatibility Software 1.5 - Windows 7/8/XP 32-bit/Vista

https://www.ni.com/en/support/downloads/drivers/download.mxi-express-bios-compatibility.html

[brokebelt]

Robert,

For what it's worth it does seem like the motherboard is getting into a bad state rather than a catastrophic failure (there's no visual nor "aromatic" indication of damage).  I double checked that we had reset the BIOS, removed the battery (unplugging line voltage is part of that procedure).

We also received a response from Josh another NI engineer regarding a utility - thanks for the suggestion. We saw that but we aren't yet ready to risk another motherboard (besides we boot QNX rather than Windows).

We should be receiving another NI8362 on Monday. We will likely try it in a motherboard from another manufacturer to attempt to determine the cast of devices that cause this odd problem. We should also be hearing something from the motherboard vendor/manufacture.

Thanks,

John