LabView 8.2 and old NI-DAQ 6.7 VB6 applications on same computer

[sprice]

I am currently controlling a PCI-6602 and PCI-6052E card using VB6 and the NI-DAQ 6.7 package but would like to begin a change over to LabView.  My question is whether or not it is possible to continue to use my old software which is writen for NI-DAQ 6.7 and install LabView 8.2 on the same computer to begin the writing of new data aquisition software.  I can't afford to have the old software break as some of it is fairly complex and I don't have the time to rewrite it in a new environment immediately.

I appologize if this has been asked before but after multiple searches using different terms I have still come up empty.

Thanks for the help!
-Shane

[Nick_CH]

Hello Shane,

In my opinion, there is no problem to continuing using the PCI-6602 and PCI-6052E with VB6 and the NI-DAQ6.7 in the same time as developing you new application with LabVIEW 8.20.

The PCI-6602 and the PCI-6052E are supported by the traditional DAQ (NI-DAQ) and the new driver NI-DAQmx
What I will suggest you:
- Install Labview 8.20 and the new driver NI-DAQmx (the last version is the 8.5) for your new development
- keep installing VB6 and the NI-DAQ6.7

PS: Both driver can be installed in the same computer. In MAX (Measurement & Automation Explorer), You will see the cards under both drivers

To understand how using the new NI-DAQmx driver, have a look on www.ni.com/gettingstarted

Best regards
Nick_CH

[sprice]

Thank you Nick for the response and the link to what looks like some helpful reading.

I was just having trouble finding verification that the drivers and other files that will be installed with LabView would not override or overwrite the NI-DAQ drivers.

Look forward to learning LabView and all that it has to offer.

[Nick_CH]

Hello Shane,

I could not find the verification that the driver and other find would not be override or overwrite.

However, LabVIEW is an Application Development Software like VB6 and do not install any driver components.
LabVIEW will uses functions from the driver NI-DAQ or NI-DAQmx to control the Hardware.

Then, I find answer from Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about NI-DAQmx and Traditional NI-DAQ (Legacy) 
Q: Can I use Traditional NI-DAQ (Legacy) and NI-DAQmx at the same time?
A: You can use Traditional NI-DAQ (Legacy) and NI-DAQmx at the same time if you have two DAQ devices and one of them is using Traditional NI-DAQ (Legacy) and the other NI-DAQmx.
If you only have one DAQ device, you can still use both Traditional NI-DAQ (Legacy) and NI-DAQmx but only in sequence – not at the same time. You need to reset your device to switch between Traditional NI-DAQ (Legacy) and the NI-DAQmx driver as part of the sequence.

So you can install NI-DAQ with NI-DAQmx in the same platform

Finally, if your are using LabVIEW 8.20, You muss use the driver NI-DAQmx 8.3 or later as mentioned on the page NI-DAQ for Windows Support for Different LabVIEW Versions 

Best regards
Nick_CH

[stilly32]

You can have Tradtional DAQ and DAQmx on the same computer, however, there are a couple additional caveats I would add. DAQmx and Traditional DAQ 6.9.3 and before do not work well on the same computer - they can cause some serious issues. If you want to keep using the Legacy code, I would install Tradtional DAQ 7.1 or later. Check out this KB - Using Older Versions of NI-DAQ (6.9.3) with LabVIEW 7.x or 8.x.

The earliest version of Traditional DAQ to support LabVIEW 8.2 is 7.4.1 - you should be able to upgrade to that and maintain support in VB 6. If you are doing any new development, I would do it in DAQmx. You cannot use DAQmx and Tradtional DAQ on the same card on the same time, but you can use them on different cards at the same time and on the same card at different times. 

Hope this helps, 

Andrew S.

National Instruments 

[sprice]

Thanks for the replys.  I will have to give these recommendations a try.  I don't really want to continue to use the legacy NI-DAQ but at this point don't have alot of choice.