How to include Instrument drivers in Lab-view apps builder

[mikesub]

Hi,

I am using Labvier 7,1, I have managed to use the Application builder for a simple program, but have problems with a larger program that includes P & P instrument drivers (for GPIB)

I can create an installer, but when I try & install it, I get a great number of errors, all relating to being unable to find all the vi for the Instrument driver functions.

I tried several variations,  including support files, & including the instrument driver dll's from C:\vxipnp\winnt\bin\

this time I got app f.ailed to start , needs VISA32. dll was not found.

I had expected there to be a standard way of using applications Builder to include GPIB p & P Instrument drivers, guess I'm nieve, being a newbe. Any help will be greatly appreciated

Mikesub

[Dennis_Knutson]

The app builder prior to 8.x was only designed to install the application you created. The actual instrument driver VIs should be included in the app but the IVI driver itself (the low level dll) is not. You should really include the installer for the IVI driver and not just the dlls. This is the .msi file that is on the instrument driver download page. If you are getting an error about VISA32, then it sounds like VISA was not installed either. I usually install VISA and NI-GPIB from the CD that comes with the GPIB board and I do this when I install the board into the computer. However, you can also include these installers with your app as well. On the Installer Settings tab, click the Advanced button. You have the option there of 'Run executable after installation'. The simplest thing to do is to create a .bat file that will call the other installers you include with the distribution. Don't forget that you also need the IVI Compliance Package so include that installer as well.

[mikesub]

Thanks for the reply Dennis.

Yes, I guess Im wrong thinking that the GPB Instrument drivers are part of the Labview application, rather than seperate applications. I dont think NI documentation is very clear in this area.   I did Install NI-488-2 from the CD with the GPIB board, on to the PC I am trying to install the executable. there wasnt an option to load VISA.

All the Instrument drivers are VXI Plug & Play, so I didnt think I needed the  IVI compliance package. I will try again

regards

Mikesub

[Dennis_Knutson]

It can be confusing and LabVIEW 8.x has made great strides in making it simpler to include all of the necessary installers.

The c:\vxipnp folder is also where the instrument specific IVI drivers are installed and I assumed that was thet ype of driver you were using. If are not using IVI class drivers, then the IVI Complance Package is not required.