PXI_Star not available

[pabr]

Hi,

I used to see PXI_Star available in the list of timing sources (in MAX and in LabVIEW).
My controller crashed, I had to format the hard drive and reinstall the software.
I also restored my tasks, but then in them, PXI_Star was unavailable (grayed-out).

Any idea what happened?

Thanks!

[chericks1]

Hi pabr,

Even if the PXI board is capable of performing different functions, depending on the slot that the board is installed in, the driver needs to be able to configure the board accordingly. This means that even if the board has physical connections to the timing and synchronization pins in the PXI backplane, it is up to the programmer of the driver to implement the functions that will allow the user to use those connections. National Instruments drivers allow you to take advantage of the capabilities of your PXI boards. I've read your message and it sounds like you have reinstalled these drivers.

The other requirement is to save the appropriate PXI System Initialization file (PXISYS.INI) in the WINDOWS directory of your computer, i.e. C:\WINDOWS. The PXISYS.INI file describes the architecture of the system and pairs up the PCI slot in the PXI chassis with the Slot number printed in the front of the chassis. It is absolutely necessary to save the PXISYS.INI file in the WINDOWS directory in your computer so drivers can find it and read it. This way a driver can find out in what slot of the PXI chassis the board is installed. The drivers then will enable different circuits on the board depending on the slot that the board is located.

When the controller crashed, this .INI file was probably corrupted or deleted. This is probably why you are not able to use PXI_Star. If you have an .INI file, I would delete it and create a new one.

Note: Measurement and Automation Explorer (MAX) 3.x can automatically generate the correct PXISYS.INI file and place it in the correct location. For instructions on configuring your PXI system in MAX 3.x, please review KnowledgeBase 32TDRRWD: Configuring the PXI System Entry in MAX 3.x. (linked below). For more information about the PXISYS.INI file please refer to KnowledgeBase 1EGB71UI: What Are PXISYS.INI and CHASSIS.INI? (linked below) and KnowledgeBase 2MDFG2WD: Programmatic PXI Slot Detection (linked below).

KnowledgeBase 32TDRRWD: Configuring the PXI System Entry in MAX 3.x

Knowledge Base 1EGB71UI: What Are PXISYS.INI and CHASSIS.INI?

Knowledge Base 2MDFG2WD : Programmatic PXI Slot Detection

Hope this helps!

Chad AE
Applications Engineer