PXI-8195 boot problem

[Alex01]

We have a PXI-8195 controller in a PXI-1042 chassis.  During a recent training session by our NI rep, John S., we were advised that we could improve the system performance by increasing the ram on the PXI-8195.  John also provided us with a utility to determine what type and speed of ram was inside the 8195 so we could purchase the correct type of ram.

The machine had 256MB and we later bought and installed 2 sticks of 1GB memory, replacing the original 256MB.  During the installation, we were unsure of how to remove the 8195 from the chassis so we first removed the top cover on the chassis.  Once we were able to see inside the unit, we removed the 8195 and installed the ram.  The 8195 was inserted back into the chassis and powered on, leaving the top chassis cover off just in case there was a problem with the installation.  The BIOS showed 2GB of memory and booted up to Windows XP just fine without any problems.

So we powered down, installed the top cover of the chassis back on to the unit, and now..... it won't boot!  We've tried everything, including putting the original ram into the system, switching ram slots, leaving the cover off and on, etc.

All that happens when we press the power button is the green power LED comes on but nothing else.  Nothing is displayed on screen, no system POST, no error messages, no beep codes, no hard drive LED.  Even the USB mouse and keyboard don't seem to be getting any power from the 8195.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to troubleshoot the problem?  Our hardware configuration is as follows: In addition to the PXI-8195, we have (2x) PXI-4472 and a PXI-6251, all inside a PXI-1042 chassis.

[Roland A.]

Hello Alex01:

Thank you for contacting National Instruments. The correct way to remove a controller is to slide it out of the chassis. I would say try removing all the modules and then remove and re-insert the controller the correct way into the chassis and try to boot it up.

[Alex01]

Hi Roland,

Thank you for the prompt reply.  Today we removed the other modules from the chassis as you suggested but unfortunately the controller still does not boot up.  Nothing is displayed on the screen at all.

We also tried different combinations of modules installed in the chassis to see if it would make a difference, but it did not have any effect.  Again, the only thing that happens is the power LED turns on but nothing else.  Any ideas on how to proceed from here?

Thanks,

Alex

[jwf]

When you say that the power LED turns on, which LED are you talking about?  There is one in the PXI-1042 chassis power button and there is also a PWR OK LED in the face of the controller.  They should both be green.

Also, with all of the repeated removal and insertion of the controller, I wonder if a backplane pin may have been bent.  If you remove the PXI-8195 controller, you will see the 2 connectors that it plugs into in the chassis' backplane.  If any of those pins are bent, the controller may not be able to boot.  So check if there are any bent or crushed pins on the backplane.

Also with removing the cover, you probably had to pull the power supply shuttle out and re-insert it.  Make sure that it is inserted properly and secured with the screws to ensure that it makes good contact with the backplane.

If you have another controller in another system somewhere, you could try that one to see if it boots.

-jason

[Alex01]

Hi Jason,

When we power the unit on, both the chassis LED (embedded in the power button) and the controller LED (labeled PWR OK) turn on and stay green as expected. 

I checked the controller and backplane connector for any signs of damage and it appears that all the pins are straight and unbent, with no missing pins on the backplane.  Likewise, the controller's female connector shows no sign of damage and everything appears to be ok.  Additionally, I looked over the power supply unit and it appeared to be solidly in place; we have never disconnected or removed this unit before so I believe it's unlikely the power supply is the problem.

Alas, we only have one PXI controller and one chassis so we can't test it with another unit.

[jwf]

Perhaps a check of the pins in the seven peripheral slots as well.  If a PCI pin in one of the slots is bent and touching a ground pin or another PCI pin, it may keep the controller from booting.  It doesn't sound like there is a power issue or one or both of the LEDs would not be green.

Also, ensure that the memory is seated well.

You mentioned taking to the top cover off, so I assumed that you meant the PXI-1042 chassis top cover.  This requires you to pull the power supply shuttle out a bit.  Perhaps you meant something else.

I believe there are 8 LEDs (DS2 - DS9) on the top of one of the controller circuit cards behind the front panel where you cannot see them unless you look down through the vent holes in top of the chassis.  What is the state of these LEDs when the controller hangs during booting? 

-Jason 

[Alex01]

Previously, we did remove the top cover of the PXI-1042 but did not remove the power supply.  With a slight application of force, the top cover can be put back on the chassis.

Following your suggestions, we removed the top cover and all the modules from the chassis and inspected the pins.  Again, no bent pins nor missing pins were seen on the backplane connectors; they were all shiny and did not show signs of any wear or damage.  Same for the connectors on the modules.  I do want to note that our NI equipment is new and virtually unused; we have just transitioned from acquiring equipment for our lab to now setting up and learning to use it.

The memory (single 256MB module) was checked to make sure it is installed correctly; we also tried switching to the other ram slot.  We also tried using new 2x1GB modules.

We also looked at the DS leds near the top edge of the PXI-8195.  We saw 9 of them, labeled from DS1 to DS9.  All of them flash on momentarily when we first power the system up; presumably this is a self-test.  Following that, the controller simply does not boot up and the leds do not turn on again.

[jwf]

"We also looked at the DS leds near the top edge of the PXI-8195.  We saw 9 of them, labeled from DS1 to DS9.  All of them flash on momentarily when we first power the system up; presumably this is a self-test.  Following that, the controller simply does not boot up and the leds do not turn on again."

The LEDs should come on, cycle through self-test codes and then go out and the controller should beging booting.  This should take a second or two.  This isn't happening for you. 

Something else you might check would be the flexible circuit card that connects between the two main circuit cards to see if it is seated properly.  It has a connector on each end and is kind of brownish colored.  Check to see that it is firmly seated on the mating connector on each board.

If this doesn't help, I reccomend that you contact by phone our Applications Engineers.  They should be able to help you resolve this problem or get it fixed for you.

Thanks for your patience.

-Jason

[Alex01]

We took a look at the flexible circuit card and it is solidly in place.  We were still puzzled about what was wrong with our controller, so we subsequently contacted our NI rep who came yesterday and loaned us a PXI-8186 controller.  We'll send our faulty PXI-8195 back to NI for testing and any necessary repairs.

Once we get our controller back and we find out why our unit wasn't working, I'll post an update here.

Thanks for the assistance,

Alex

Message Edited by Alex01 on 06-07-2007 11:37 AM