National Instruments VXI-VME 600 User Manual
VXI/VME
Getting Started with Your VXI/VMEpc™ 600 Series for Windows 95/NT
VXI/VMEpc 600 Series for Windows 95/NT
May 1998 Edition
Part Number 321882A-01
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© Copyright 1998 National Instruments Corporation. All rights reserved.
Important Information
Warranty
The National Instrumen ts VXI/V MEpc 600 Se ries em bedde d compute rs and access ories are warrante d ag ainst defect s in
materials and workmanship for a period of one year from the date of shipment, as evidenced by receipts or other
documentation. National Instrume nts w ill, at i ts option , re pair o r repla ce eq uipment that prove s to be defe ctive d urin g the
warranty period. This warranty includes parts and labor.
The media on which you receive National Instruments software are warranted not to fail to execute programming
instructions, due to defects in materials and workmanship, for a period of 90 days from date of shipment, as evidenced
by receipts or other documentation. National Instruments will, at its option, repair or replace software media that do not
execute programming instructions if National Instruments receives notice of such defects during the warranty period.
National Instruments does not warrant that the operation of the software shall be uninterrupted or error free.
A Return Material Authorization (RMA) number must be obtained from the factory and clearly marked on the outside
of the package before any equipment will be accepted for warranty wo rk. National Instru ments will pay the shippi ng costs
of returning to the owner part s which are c overed by warranty.
National Instruments believes that the informatio n in this manual is accurate. The document ha s been careful ly reviewed
for technical accurac y. In the even t that te chn ical or t ypograp hic al errors ex ist, Nation al Inst rumen ts res erves the righ t to
make changes to subsequent editions of this document without prior notice to holders of this edition. The reader should
consult National Instruments if errors are suspected. In no event shall National Instruments be liable for any damages
arising out of or related to this document or the information contained in it.
XCEPT AS SPECIFIED HEREIN
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ATIONAL INSTRUMENTS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM LOSS OF DATA, PROFITS, USE OF PRODUCTS
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ATIONAL INSTRUMENTS MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS
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USTOMER’S RIGHT TO RECOVER DAMAGES CAUSED
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Trademarks
CVI™, LabVIEW™, NI-488.2™, NI-VISA™, NI-VXI™, and VXI/VMEpc™ are trademarks of National Instruments
Corporation.
Product and company names listed are trademarks or trade names of their respective companies.
WARNING REGARDING MEDICAL AND CLINICAL USE OF NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS PRODUCTS
National Instruments products are not designed with components and testing intended to ensure a level of reliability
suitable for use in treatment and diagnosis of humans. Applications of National Instruments products involving medical
or clinical treatment can create a potential for accidental injury caused by product failure, or by errors on the part of the
user or application des igner. An y use or ap plica tion of Na tiona l Instrume nts p roducts for or inv olvi ng medic al or c linica l
treatment must be performed by properly trained and qualifie d medic al pe rsonnel, an d all traditio nal med ical sa feguards,
equipment, and p roce dures tha t ar e a ppropria te in th e pa rticula r s itua tion to p revent s erious inju ry or d eath shou ld alway s
continue to be used whe n National Instruments pro ducts are being use d. Nation al Instrumen ts product s are NOT inte nded
to be a substitute for any fo rm of establis hed process, pro cedure, or e quipment us ed to monito r or safeguard h uman heal th
and safety in medical or clinical treatment.
Compliance
FCC/DOC Radio Frequency Interference
Class A Compliance
This equipment generates and uses radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in strict accordance
with the instructions in this manual, may cause interference to radio and television reception. Classification
requirements are the same for the F ede ra l Communications Commissio n (FCC) and the Canadian
Department of Comm uni cations (DOC). This equip ment has been tested and foun d to comply with the
following two regulatory agenci es :
Federal Communications Commission
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant
to part 15 of the FC C Rules. These limits are de signed to provide reasonable protection against harm ful
interference when the equipment is operate d in a commercial environment. This equipm ent generates,
uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction
manual, may cause harm ful interference to radi o communications. Ope r at ion of this equipment in a
residential area is likely to cause harmfu l interference in whic h ca se the user will be required to correct the
interference at his own expense.
Notices to User: Changes or modifications not expressly approved by National Instruments could void
If necessary, consult Nation al Instruments or an experience d radio/television technician for additional
suggestions. The following booklet prepared by the FCC may also be helpful: Interference to Home
Electronic Entertainment Equipment Handbook. This booklet is available from the U.S. Gove rnm e nt
Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402.
the user’s authority to operate the equipment under the FCC Rules.
This device complies with the FC C r u les only if used with s h ielded interface c abl es
of suitable quality and construction. National Instruments used such cables to test
this device and provides them for sale to the user. The use of inferior or nonshielded
interface cable s could void the user ’ s au th ority to operate th e equipment unde r th e
FCC rules.
Canadian Department of Communications
This Class A digital appa rat us m ee ts al l requirements of the Ca na dian Interference-Causing Equipment
Regulations.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe A respecte toutes les exigences du Règlement sur le matériel brouilleur
du Canada.
Contents
About This Manual
Organization of This Manual.........................................................................................vii
Conventions Used in This Manual.................................................................................viii
How to Use This Documentation Set ............................................................................ix
Related Documentation..................................................................................................x
Customer Communication.............................................................................................xi
Chapter 1
Introduction
How to Use This Manual...............................................................................................1-1
What You Need to Get Started......................................................................................1-1
Hardware Description....................................................................................................1-2
Software Description .....................................................................................................1-2
Software Configurations..................................................................................1-3
National Instruments Application Software....................................................1-4
Files and Directories Installed on Your Hard Drive......................................................1-5
Chapter 2
Setting up Your VXI/VME System
Configuring the Hardware.............................................................................................2 -1
Installing the Hardware..................................................................................................2-2
Installed Software .................................................................. ..... ...... .............................2-3
Booting Your System for the First Time.......................................................................2-3
Verifying Your System Configuration .............................................................. ...... ......2-4
Chapter 3
Developing Your Application
Configuration.................................................................................................................3-1
Device Interaction................................ ..... ...... .................................. ...... ..... ..................3-3
Programming with VXI.................................................................................................3-4
Notes about VME Support..............................................................................3-5
Compiler Symbols for NI-VXI........................................................................3-6
Debugging......................................................................................................................3-7
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National Instruments Corporation v VXI/VMEpc 600 Series for Windows 95/NT
Contents
Appendix A
Default Settings
Appendix B
Common Questions
Appendix C
Reinstalling the NI-VXI/VISA Software
Appendix D
Customer Communication
Glossary
Index
Tables
Table 3-1. NI-VXI/VISA Examples ......................................................................3-5
Table A-1. VXI/VMEpc 600 Series Hardware Default Settings ...........................A-1
Table A-2. VXIpc T&M Explorer Device Tab Default Settings ...........................A-2
Table A-3. VXIpc T&M Explorer Shared Memory Tab Default Settings ............. A-2
Table A-4. VXIpc T&M Explorer PCI Tab Default Settings ................................A-3
Table A-5. VXI/VME-MXI-2 T&M Explorer Device Tab Default Settings ........ A-3
Table A-6. VXI/VME-MXI-2 T&M Explorer VXI/VME Bus Tab
Default Settings .......................................... .................................. ...... ..A-4
Table A-7. VXI/VME-MXI-2 T&M Explorer MXI-2 Bus Tab
Default Settings .......................................... .................................. ...... ..A-4
VXI/VMEpc 600 Series for Windows 95/NT vi
©
National Instruments Corporation
About This Manual
Use this manual to get started with the VXI/VMEpc 600 Series embedded
computers and the NI-VXI/VISA software for Windows 95/NT. This
manual summarizes the setup instru ctions and default settings for the
hardware and software. You may find that these sections contain all the
information you need to get started.
Organization of This Manual
This manual is organized as follows:
• Chapter 1, Introduction, describes the VXI/VMEpc 600 Series of
embedded computers along with the NI-VXI/VISA software, lists
what you need to get started, lists optional software, and gives an
overview of the directory on your hard drive.
• Chapter 2, Setting up Your VXI/VME System, contains basic
instructions for setting up the VXI/VMEpc 600 Series and the
NI-VXI/VISA software.
• Chapter 3, Developing Your Application, discusses the so ftware
utilities you can use to start developing applications that use the
NI-VXI/VISA driver.
• Appendix A, Default Settings, summarizes the default settings for the
hardware and software in your kit.
• Appendix B, Common Questions, addresses common questions you
may have about using the NI-VXI/VISA software on the VXI/VMEpc
platform.
• Appendix C, Reinstalling the NI-VXI/VISA Software, contains the
instructions on how to reinstall your NI-VXI/VISA software. Your
VXI/VMEpc 600 Series controller was shipped with the
NI-VXI/VISA software already in st all ed. It is unlik el y th at you will
ever need to use these instructions.
• Appendix D, Customer C ommunication, contains forms you can use to
request help from National I nstruments or to comment on our products
and manuals.
•The Glossary contains an alphabetical list and description of terms
used in this manual, including abbreviations, acronyms, metric
prefixes, mnemonics, and symbols.
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National Instruments Corporation vii VXI/VMEpc 600 Series for Windows 95/NT
About This Manual
•The Index contains an alphabetical list of ke y ter ms and top ics used in
this manual, including the page where you can find each one.
Conventions Used in This Manual
The following conventions are used in this manual:
♦ The ♦ symbol indicates that the text following it applies only to a specific
product, a specific operating system, or a specific software version.
This icon to the left of bold italicized text denotes a note, which alerts you
to important information.
!
bold Bold text denotes the names of menus, menu items, or dialog box buttons
bold italic Bold italic text denote s a note, caution, or warning.
italic Italic text denotes emphasis, a cross reference, or an introduction to a key
monospace Text in this font denotes text or characters that you should literally enter
monospace bold Bold text in this font denotes the messages and responses that the computer
monospace italic
This icon to the left of bold italicized text denotes a caution, which advises
you of precautions to take to avoid injury, data loss, or a system crash.
This icon to the left of bold italicized text denotes a warning, which advises
you of precautions to take to avoid being electrically shocked.
or options.
concept. This font also den otes text f rom which you suppl y the appropriate
word or value.
from the keyboard, sections of code, programming examples, and syntax
examples. This font is also used for th e proper names of disk dri ves, paths ,
directories, programs, subprograms, device names, functions, variables,
filenames, and extensions.
automatically prints to the screen.
Italic text in this font denotes that you must enter the appropriate words or
values in the place of these items.
VXI/VMEpc 600 Series The term VXI/VMEpc 600 Series refers to a series of B-size, two-slot VXI
or VME embedded c ontrollers. Currently, this series consists of the
VXIpc-650 and VMEpc-650. This term is used when information applies
equally to the VXI and VME models.
©
VXI/VMEpc 600 Series for Windows 95/NT viii
National Instruments Corporation
How to Use This Documentation Set
About This Manual
NI-VXI
User Manual
NI-VXI
Reference
Getting Started
Manual
Series User Manual
Change Hardware
Settings (Optional)
NI-VXI and NI-VISA
NI Spy, VIC/VISAIC
Installation and
Configuration
VXI/VMEpc 600
Use Online
Utilities:
Function Help,
T&M Explorer,
NI-VISA
User Manual
NI-VISA
Reference
Begin by reading this manual, Getting Started with Your VXI/VMEpc 600
Series for Windows 95/NT, to get basic instructions for setting up the
hardware and software. This brief quick- start manu al describes ho w to get
started with your kit using the default hardware and software settings. Refer
to the following manuals for more information about the hardware or
software.
©
National Instruments Corporation ix VXI/VMEpc 600 Series for Windows 95/NT
About This Manual
The VXI/VMEpc 600 Series User Manual contains more details about
changing the hardware installation or configuration from the defaults, and
using the hardware.
When you are familiar with the material in these manuals, you can begin to
use the NI-VXI User Manual. This manual presents the concepts of VXI
and prepares you for detailed explanations of the NI-VXI functions. The
NI-VXI online help describes the NI-VXI functions to hel p you fully
understand the purpose and s yntax of each function. Y ou can f ind this same
information in the NI-VXI Programmer Reference Manual. These two
manuals are available in the
NI-VXIUsersMan.pdf and NI-VXIProgrammerMan.pdf,
names
c:\NIVXI\Manuals directory under the
respectively. Use the Acrobat Reader program, Version 3 or later, to open
these files.
You can also access the NI-VXI online help for Windows 95/NT in the
NIVXI folder.
Refer to the NI-VXI Graphical Utilities Reference Manual and the NI-VXI
Text Utilities Reference Manual to learn more about the NI-VXI utilities.
Refer to the NI-VISA User Manual to learn about VISA and how to use it
in your system. The NI-VISA online help describes the attributes, events,
and operations you can us e in NI-VISA. You can find this same i nformation
in the NI-VISA Programmer Reference Manual. These two manuals are
available in the
Win95 or WinNT) under the names NI-VISAUsersMan.pdf and
either
NI-VISAProgrammersMan.pdf, respectively. Use the Acrobat Reader
c:\Vxipnp\os\NIvisa\Manuals directory (where os is
program, Version 3 or later, to open these files.
Related Documentation
The followi ng documents contain i nformatio n that you may fin d helpful as
you read this manual:
• ANSI/IEEE Standard 1014-1987, IEEE Stan dard for a Versatile
Backplane Bus: VMEbus
• ANSI/IEEE Standard 1155-1993, IEEE VMEbus Extensions for
Instrumentation: VXIbus
• ANSI/VITA 1-1994, VME64
• VXI-6, VXIbus Mainframe Extender Specification, Rev. 1.0, VXIbus
Consortium
VXI/VMEpc 600 Series for Windows 95/NT x
©
National Instruments Corporation
Customer Communication
National Instruments wants to receive your comments on our products
and manuals. We are interested in the applications you develop with our
products, and we want to help if you have problems with them. To make it
easy for you to contact us, thi s manual contains comment and conf iguration
forms for you to complete. These forms are in Appendix D, Customer
Communication, at the end of this manual.
About This Manual
©
National Instruments Corporation xi VXI/VMEpc 600 Series for Windows 95/NT
Introduction
This chapter describes the VXI/VMEpc 600 Series of emb edded computers
along with the NI-VXI/VISA software, lists what you need to get started,
lists optional soft ware, and gi ves an overvi ew of th e director y str uctur e on
your hard drive.
How to Use This Manual
The following flowchart shows where to turn in this man ual for more
details on configuring and using the hardware and software.
1
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Gather What You Need
to Get Started
Yes
Using Hardware
Defaults?
Install Hardware, Verify System,
Run T&M Explorer to Configure
All Devices in System
Develop Y our Application
What You Need to Get Started
❑ VXI/VMEpc-650 embedded controller
❑ VXIbus or VMEbus mainframe
❑ Keyboard (and included adapter cable)
❑ Mouse
No
Refer to Your
VXI/VMEpc 600
Series User Manual
©
National Instruments Corporation 1-1 VXI/VMEpc 600 Series for Windows 95/NT
Chapter 1 Introduction
❑ Monitor with VGA or better resolution
❑ National Instruments software media for the VXI/VMEpc 600 Series
The NI-VXI/VISA software is alr eady inst alled on your VXI/VME pc-650
computer. It is also included on disk in the event that you need to reinstall
your software. For installation instructions, please refer to Appendix C,
Reinstalling the NI-VXI/VISA Software.
Hardware Description
The VXI/VMEpc 600 Series models are B-size embedded co mputers based
on x86 processor architecture and on the Peripheral Component Interface
(PCI) bus. These computers are high-performance, easy-to-use platforms
for controlling VXIbus or VMEbus systems, featuring complete VXI and
VME functionality through interactive utilities and C fun c tion calls.
These embedded computers can take advantage of the VXI/VME
high-performance backplane capabilities and give you direct control of
VXI/VME registers, memory, interrupts, and triggers.
All models in the VXI/VMEpc 600 Series are fully VXI
compliant and can be used with PC-compatible software tools, the
National Instruments LabVIEW and LabWindows/CVI application
software, and the NI-VXI, NI-VISA, and NI-488.2 bus interface software.
For in-depth details on the VXI/VMEpc 600 Series hardware—including
a description of the differences between the various models in their
respective series—refer to the VXI/VMEpc 600 Series User Manual.
Software Description
NI-VXI is the name of the VXI/VME bus control library for your
VXI/VMEpc 600 Series. You can create applications using NI-VXI to
control your VXI and VME devices. NI-VXI gives you complete
VXI/VME functionality, including an API for performing basic VXI/VME
data transfers and handling VXI/VME interrupts as well as VXI-specific
functionality, such as doing message-based communication and handling
VXIbus triggers.
NI-VISA is the National Instruments implementation o f the VISA
specification. VISA is a uniform API for communicating and controlling
Serial, GPIB, VXI, and VME instruments. This API aids in the creation of
more portable applications and instrument drivers.
plug&play
VXI/VMEpc 600 Series for Windows 95/NT 1-2
©
National Instruments Corporation
Chapter 1 Introduction
The NI-VXI/VISA software for the VXI/VMEpc 600 Series is already
installed on your hard drive. It includes an interactive configuration and
troubleshooting program, libraries of software routines for test and
measurement (T&M) programming, interactive control programs for both
NI-VXI and NI-VISA, a logging utility you can use for debugging your
applications, and a VXI Resource Manager. You can use this software to
seamlessly program multiple-mainframe configurations and have software
compatibility across a variety of controller platforms.
National Instruments also includes the NI-488.2 software kit, which gives
you access to the industry-standard NI-488.2 software for controlling
external GPIB instruments through the GPIB port on the front panel. The
GPIB interface on your VXI/VMEpc controller is fully compatible with the
NI-488.2 driver for a variety of operating systems. Any software using
NI-488.2 will run on the VXI/VMEpc-650.
Use T&M Explorer to view your entire T&M system and configure v arious
components, whether they are Serial, GPIB, VXI, or VME devices. This
utility also adopts the functionality of the NI-DAQ Configuration utility so
you can configure National Instruments VXI-DAQ cards.
For VXI users, T&M Explorer also features various options of how to run
the VXI Resource Manager (Resman). You can still execute Resman
independently to configure your instruments after a power cycle, but you
can also perform resource manager operations directly from T&M Explorer
or configure it to run Resman automatically at startup.
The NI Spy utility tracks the calls your application makes to National
Instruments T&M drivers, including NI-VXI, NI-VISA, and NI-488.2.
NI Spy helps you debug your application by clearly highlighting the
functions that return errors. You can let NI Spy keep a log of your
program’s calls to these drivers so that you can check them for errors
at your convenience.
Software Configurations
There are three software configurations described in this manual:
• NI-VXI for Windows 95—This is a fully 32-bit native Plug and P l ay
driver for Windo w s 95. You can run only 32-bit applications with this
driver. Applications developed using this driver run with NI-VXI for
Windows NT without the need to recompile.
• NI-VXI for Windows NT—This is a 32-bit driver designed for
Windows NT. You c an use this version to develop and run 32-bit
applications for Windows 95/NT.
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National Instruments Corporation 1-3 VXI/VMEpc 600 Series for Windows 95/NT
Chapter 1 Introduction
• NI-VISA for Windows 95/NT—This is a 32-bit driver designed for
Windows 95/NT. Note that for VME and VXI support, the NI-VXI
driver must be installed. You can use this driver to develop and run
32-bit applications for Windows 95/NT.
National Instruments Application Software
Your VXI/VMEpc 600 Series kit comes with the NI-VXI/VISA bus
interface software already installed for you. In addition, you can use the
National Instruments LabVIEW and LabWin dows / CVI appli cati on
programs and instrument drivers to ease your programming tasks. These
standardized programs match the modular virtual instrument capability of
VXI/VME and can reduce your VXI/VME software development time.
These programs are fully VXIplug&play compliant and feature extensive
libraries of VXI instrument drivers written to take full advantage of direct
VXI control. LabVIEW and LabWind ows/CVI include all the t ools needed
for instrument control, data acquisition, analysis, and presentation.
LabVIEW is a complete programming environment that departs from the
sequential nature of traditional programming languages and features a
graphical programming environment.
LabWindows/CVI is an interactive C development environment for
building test and measurement and instrument control systems. It includes
interactive code-gener ation tools and a graphical editor for building custom
user interfaces.
When you boot your system for the f irst time, you can insert a configuration
disk to access either or both of these application programming
environments. Ref er to the
in Chapter 2,
Setting up Your VXI/VME System
Booting Your System for the First Time
, for more information. Both
section
LabVIEW and LabWindo ws/CVI integrate the VXI and VISA libraries that
are required to support your VXI/VMEpc-650. You also get hundreds of
complete instrument drivers, which are modular, source-code programs
that handle the communication with your instrument to speed your
application development.
VXI/VMEpc 600 Series for Windows 95/NT 1-4
©
National Instruments Corporation
Chapter 1 Introduction
Files and Directories Installed on Your Hard Drive
Your hard drive includes a directory called images in its root that contains
software and soft copies of manuals for the operating system and for the
peripherals. The directory str ucture under the
organized into several levels.
images directory itself, you will find a manuals directory,
In the
os directory, and directories for each of the peripherals of your
an
computer.
manuals directory contains quick reference guides, technical
The
reference manuals, and National Instruments software manuals, all in
Adobe Acrobat portable document for mat (PDF) . Use the Acrobat Reader
program, version 3 or later, to open and read these manual files on your
computer, and to print them if desired. To access any of these manuals,
change your directory to
c:\images\Vxx600\manuals and list the
contents of that directory.
os directory contains a subdirectory corresponding to the operating
The
system installed on your computer . That subd irectory contains an image o f
the CD from which your operating system was installed. As a result you do
not have to inser t the CD when you install a n e w peripheral. When you a re
asked to insert the CD, you can simply direct the system to look in the
images\os directory instead.
images directory is logically
For example, if your system has Windows 95 installed, you should find
an image of the Windows 95 CD in
c:\images\os\win95.
The rest of the directories correspond to each of the peripherals in
your system. Within each of these directories are the drivers for the
peripherals. These files and directories are copied exactly from the
distribution disks of the manufacturers, so the naming conventions
vary from peripheral to peripheral.
Because the naming conventions may not be completely straightforward,
National Instruments provides a text file named
images directory. The drivers.txt file explains how to install support
drivers.txt in the
for each peripheral. You may want to print this file for reference when yo u
install your peripheral device drivers.
©
National Instruments Corporation 1-5 VXI/VMEpc 600 Series for Windows 95/NT
Setting up Your VXI/VME System
This chapter contains basic instructions for setting up the VXI/VMEpc 600
Series and the NI-VXI/VISA software.
You can use this material as a guide to quickly configure and operate your
VXI/VME system using the VXI/VMEpc 600 Series. This chapter assumes
that you intend to perform a basic configuration as follows:
• You have one VXI/VMEbus chassis in which you will be using the
VXI/VMEpc-650 as System Controller.
• You will be using the NI-VXI/VISA software for initialization,
configuration, and device interaction.
• You will use the default hardware and software settings.
Configuring the Hardware
The default hardware settings are acceptable for most typical applications.
Refer to Appendix A, Default Settings, for a complete listing of the
hardware and software default settings.
2
The VXI/VMEpc 600 Series User Manual fully describes the configuration
and installation of each embedded computer in the VXI/VMEpc 600
Series. Refer to this manual if you want to try a different hardware
configuratio n, or if you would lik e more information on a particu lar setting.
Use the T&M Explorer utility in NI-VXI/VISA to change any of the
configuration settings for the VXI/VMEpc. For information on the
software, including optional settings, use T&M Explorer and its online
help. Use the W i ndo ws Start menu to open either the NI-VXI or NI-VISA
program group and select T&M Explorer. To access the T&M Explorer
online help, open the Help menu and select Help Topics.
©
National Instruments Corporation 2-1 VXI/VMEpc 600 Series for Windows 95/NT
Chapter 2 Setting up Your VXI/VME System
Installing the Hardware
!
!
Caution
Warning
Caution
To prevent electrostatic discharge, touch the antistatic plastic package to a
metal part of your VXI/VMEbus chassis before removing the VXI/VMEpc-650
from the package.
To protect both yourself and the chassis from electrical hazards, thechassis
should remain off until you are finished installing the VXI/VMEpc module.
Plug in your chassis but leave the power turned off. Install the
VXI/VMEpc-650 in the first slot of the VXI/VME chassis—designated
as Slot 0 in VXI systems, or as Slot 1 in a VME chassis. In its default
configuration, the VXI/VMEpc 600 Series automatically detects whether it
should be the system co ntrolle r. Although you can use the module in other
slots as non-system controller, this example describes the basic installation
as system controller. The system controller operates certain VXI/VMEbus
lines as required for VXI/VME systems. Verify that any other devices with
system controller capability that are located in the same chassis are not
configured as system controller.
Having more than one device configured as system contro ller will damage the
VXI/VME system.
For VXI systems that include VME devices, ensure that the VME devices
are not configured in the upper 16 KB (starting from 0xC000) of the A16
address space. This region is reserved for VXI device configuration
registers, which are used for initializing, configuring, and interacting with
VXI devices.
Also ensure that no VXI devices in your system are config ured for logical
address 0, which is the default configuration for the VXI/VMEpc 600
Series.
Complete your installation as follows:
1. Attach cables for your keyboard, mouse, video, and any devices you
want to connect to your system. Refer to the VXI/VMEpc 600 Series
User Manual if you are not certain about any of these connections.
2. Turn on power to the chassis.
3. Follow the prompts in the Setup program.
VXI/VMEpc 600 Series for Windows 95/NT 2-2
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National Instruments Corporation
Chapter 2 Setting up Your VXI/VME System
Installed Software
Your VXI/VMEpc 600 Series kit comes with the NI-VXI/VISA bus
interface software already installed. However, if you receive a software
update, or if you need to reinstall software in the event that your files were
accidentally erased, refer to Appendix C, Reinstalling the NI-VXI/VISA
Software. This appendix explains how to use the Setup program.
If you need to reinstall LabVIEW or LabWindows/CVI, use the CD or
diskette package that came with these programs.
Booting Your System for the First Time
At Windows 95/NT startup, you are pro mpted t o insert a disk to config ure
the system for LabVIEW or LabWindows/CVI. These programming
environments are already installed on your system but you must insert a
configuration disk when prompted so that you can access and use them. If
you ordered either of these programming environments, select the
appropriate checkbox and insert the configuration disk. Follow the
instructions as prompted.
Do not select either checkbox if you did not order LabVIEW or
LabWindows/CVI. Continue with the rest of the Setup program.
Caution
!
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National Instruments Corporation 2-3 VXI/VMEpc 600 Series for Windows 95/NT
Do not disregard the prompt to configure the system for LabVIEW or
LabWindows/CVI. The Setup program assumes you do not need these programs
and deletes them from your hard drive unless you insert the configuration disk
during the initial setup. If you neglect to do this, you will need to install LabVIEW
or LabWindows/CVI from the CD or diskette set if you want to use either program.
If your system includes any VXI devices, you s h ould now run T& M
Explorer . It p rompts y ou to r un Resman, whi ch is the National In struments
Resource Manager. You must run Resman every time the chassis power is
cycled so that your application can access devices in the VXI/VME chassis.
You can configure T&M Explorer to automatically run Resman on
power-up. T&M Explorer contains right-click help that leads you through
your configuration tasks.
Whether you are a VXI or VME user, please continue with Chapter 3,
Developing Your Application, for information about using T&M Explorer
in your system.
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