Automation Explorer Loosing USB Configurations

[tomsedlack]

I have a test fixture that has a USB-6008 and 2 USB-6501 modules connected to a 4-port hub.  The hub is then run to the test computer (via a single cable rather then 3).  I set each device up in Automation Explorer as Dev1, Dev2, and Dev3.  The computer I am using to run the test fixture has 10 USB ports that are all run to a variety of mainboard hubs.  If the test fixture gets plugged into a different USB port on the PC, the 3 devices (usually) launch the new hardware wizard and all the assignments get changed.  The other scenario is that the names change (Dev1 becomes Dev2 or Dev4).

Is there a way to lock the configuration so that, no matter what USB port the interface is connected to, it will keep the configuration I set initially?

I am using WinXP, Automation Explorer v4.2, and DAQmx v8.3.1.

Thanks,

Tom

[Matthew_W]

 Hi Tom,

Here is what I understand your issue to be:

 When the USB hub is plugged into the USB port then the USB devices re-enumerate, sometimes changing the Dev# previously assigned to the devices. In your application you are using Dev1 specifically for tasks, Dev2 for other tasks, etc.

Does this happen every time?  Does this happen if you plug the USB-6008 or USB-6501 in by itself?

What version of DAQmx do you have installed? The latest version is 8.6 and can be found here. Are you using DAQmx or DAQmx Base? If this is a WinXP machine you should be using DAQmx not DAQmx Base.

 You can programatically determine the USB device serial numbers & Dev #, you would then use that information to setup your tasks correctly no matter what Dev# is assigned to the devices.
 Here's how you might do that:

 

Here's a screenshot of the front panel:




Please do post back with DAQmx version, if it occurs with just a single device, any more relevant information you might think of. Updating to the latest version of DAQmx is always a great idea.

Have a great evening,

MatthewW
Applications Engineer
National Instruments
 
 
 



Message Edited by Matthew W on 11-04-2007 07:38 PM

[Anthony_de_Vries]

Try to give descriptive names to the USB devices.  (In MAX, right-click and select rename)  

That's easier to use in the program, and they don't get renamed by MAX.    I think MAX uses serial numbers or something like that to keep track of the names, so it won't be screwed up when you put it in a different USB port.