Creating star or linear configuration with INES PCI-GPIB

[Cannibal]

Hi everyone; I need some technical information. Please help...

This device takes the data from pressure and velocity (IR) sensors (Kistler 6203). After processing the data, it sends it to the PC (HP 9836), printer (HP2932A) and the plotter (HP7475A) via HPIB. As you see, these are  all old machines and systems.The concerned firm was "Krenz Electronics". As you know this firm have closed in a long time ago. Of course in past, this device have hade a compatible software for measuring the parametres but at this time this software is out of date and not enough for new datum so i cannot use it. So, I want to compose a software that will take and analize the data. I' m using LabVIEW 7.0 Express and my card is INES PCI-GPIB IEEE 488.2. Composing the software is not problem for me but i don't know how i can take the data from the test device. My idea about the sollution is adding my GPIB card added PC to the existent system via 2m GPIB cable like star or linear configuration. I' m not sure but I think  this is the only way to intervent the system. Because, test device has HPIB ports to communicate with the other devices.My aim is only renewing the software or creating the new one. I prefer the second one. Software problems are not as easy as like hardware problems.Even though i set up my card to the PC, In my Control Panel, NI 488.2 Configuration program says no GPIB interfaces present in the system. But i can see it in the Device Manager and it says it works properly. MAX don't see the card in devices and interfaces section.

Consequently, I need a starting point. For example, if i use simple GPIB READ command in LabVIEW how can i configure the settings (address, port etc.)? Or with some programs like NI Explore GPIB, MAX etc. how can i configure my system?

Thanks for informations...

hikmetkangal@mkek.gov.tr

[Dennis_Knutson]

Measurement & Automation Explorer is a utility program from National Instruments and is for (with very few exceptions) NI hardware only. You should not expect to see the INES board here. The vendor should have provided you with it's own configuration utility. Typically, you also won't be able to use the built-in LabVIEW GPIB functions. These are for NI boards. Some vendors provide a driver that is compatible so you will have to check with INES. Some vendors provide a VISA library for their controllers. If INES does, then you should be able to use the VISA functions in LabVIEW.