How do I upgrade from LabView version 8.0 to 8.2.1?

[danguan]

Hi, I'm a student and a novice with using LabView. I downloaded the LakeShore 331S driver and am trying to control the cryostat through the RS232 serial connection. I have very little training in LabView so I tried to open the VI's that came in the 'Examples' folder under the assumption that these would help me learn how to set it up. However, when I try to open them, the following error pops up: "LabVIEW load error code 9: VI version (8.2.1) is newer than LabVIEW version (8.0)".

Is there a way to upgrade this for free if I still have all the papers and stuff from the original purchase? Or is there another way to access some kind of tutorials with wiring a temperature controller?

Thanks in advance for any help

[EMotts]

It seems odd that the Examples in 8.0 have been saved as version 8.2.1.  Are you sure there aren't two versions of LV on the computer?

You could post the VI's here and ask someone to convert them to 8.0:

Downconvert VI Requests

Or maybe someone with 8.0 loaded could send you the VI's.  Or maybe you could just start your own VI, and post questions here.

Ed

[danguan]

So someone kindly downconverted the two example VI's I posted from the driver, but they rely on other version 8.2.1 VI's to actually run as well. Should I keep asking for downconverts when I find that a VI requires another VI? Or is there a way to download drivers for older versions of LabView than the version they're already offered in?

I'm not sure I would know where to begin on starting a VI to control a temperature controller.

Thanks

Dan

[Dennis_Knutson]

Why don't you simply download the 8.0 version of the driver? Don't select the project style driver!

[danguan]

Well I downloaded the 8.0 version of the not-project-style driver. But like I said, I am unfamiliar with LabView programming so I'm not sure how to proceed now. I was mainly hoping to get access to the examples in the project style driver to try to teach myself how to use a temperature controller and how to use LabVIEW.

Or could you recommend a resource to help me educate myself on matters preferably related to creating LabVIEW VI's to control temperature controller devices?

Thanks for your help

[Dennis_Knutson]

There are examples in the 8.0 driver (i.e. LSCI 331 Getting Started Temperature Controller).

The best way to understand the driver is to first really study the programming and operations manual. Understanding how the controller itself works is essential.

You can look at the block diagrams of all the VIs. See the commands being sent. Turn on context help. As you move your mouse over a VI's icon and controls/indicators, you will get a description in the help window. On the main Instrument Driver Network page, there are links that explain what a driver is and how to use one. For a start on learning LabVIEW, check out this tutorial.

The best resource for learning about the controller may be the vendor. Doubt that there would be anything specific to LabVIEW but there might be some app notes you can review. The actual programming language is sort of irrelevant since they all would have to send the same commands.