Labview 5.1 and XP

[LaurenLL]

In newer versions of LabVIEW, you can simply drag a channel from MAX into LabVIEW.  To configure tasks outside of MAX, you can use the AI Config in LabVIEW 5.1.  The create virtual channel function is only available in newer versions of LabVIEW.  It sounds like most of your questions relate to what was previously setup in a program you may have inherited, so it is difficult for me to address the objectives of the developers.

To find out a little more about the hierarchy, I recommend taking a look at the specific heirarchy drawings.  If you can locate the top level VI, you can select View >> VI Hierarchy, which may help give you an idea of how everything fits together. 

Regards,

Lauren

[BME_genuis]

Lauren,

I appreciate the help in my quest to make sense of this system.  My goal is to set up a development computer to mimick our system computer which runs a breathing simulator.  Let me explain what it has:

PCI-6071E DAQ Card                                                                                                                                                                                   

SCXI 1000, 1100, 1124, 1163, 1102

Labview 5.1 and 6.8.1 DAQ Driver on Windows ME

I want to put this on a stand alone computer running XP but I dont have any extra NI hardware.  I want to simulate the hardware in MAX.  I know this is a compatibility nightmare. 

I am currently learning the 5.1 VIs that run the system.  The problem I am having is getting all the subVIs to be executable on my development computer when I run the top level VI.  They are indeed executable on the system computer.  Is it because I dont have any actual hardware connected?  Specifically, the subVI that keeps giving me errors is the Write Digital Output.vi (isn't that a standard VI).  I presume VIs act differently when there is no hardware attached.  I am using AI Config.vi, AO Group Config.vi, and DIO Port Config.vi to configure my channels while configuring a few virtual channels in MAX.

Thanks again!

-Scott

[Dennis_Knutson]

You can't simulate hardware with traditional DAQ. It is only DAQmx that has the simulate ability. Without the actual hardware, you cannot run without errors. You would have to make major modifications to the software to not call the DAQ functions. If you wanted to go through all of that, it might be just as much work to upgrade your old version of LabVIEW and replace the obsolete DAQ functions.

[BME_genuis]

Dennis,

So what are my options as in being able to run the VI on the development machine?  Should I just view the code and learn how it works so I can troubleshoot the system machine?

-Scott

[Dennis_Knutson]

Looking at the code is about all you can do. This will be a pretty severe limitation for someone who is just learning LabVIEW. It would be a pretty severe limitation to an experienced programmer as well.

[BME_genuis]

Dennis,

Do you think taking the Labview courses will aid me in my quest?  Keep in mind it is 5.1 code.  At the very least I can run most of the subVIs and debug those separately.  Any other suggestions?

-Scott

[LaurenLL]

Hi Scott,

Having a good understanding of how LabVIEW works will certainly help in upgrading VIs, although as Dennis said, it will still be a difficult process.  The classes are all taught in the latest version of LabVIEW, but could still be extremely helpful in understanding and working with old versions as well.  For more information on our customer education courses, take a look at the following link.

Regards,

Lauren

[BME_genuis]

I will take the class.  In the meantime, I was hoping you code help me understand a few pieces of code.

I think this relates to the running of the DAQ. 

[Eric_Cunningham]

Hi Scott,

Actually, the code that you posted consists of one Boolean global variable and one Boolean local variable with an NAND logical operator.  That means if both of the variables are true, then the function returns a false.  Otherwise it returns a true.  The film strip is a sequence structure.  There are no DAQ VIs in this post.

There is a really convenient tool to use in order to learn what a piece of code does.  Press Ctl+H to reveal the Context Help.  When you hover over a VI or a wire, the Context Help gives a brief explanation of what the function does.

Eric C
Applications Engineer
National Instruments

[NI-Bongo]

Hi BMEGenius,

Here are some more resources you can also take a look at before you are able to take the LabVIEW Basics courses

How to Learn LabVIEW
http://digital.ni.com/public.nsf/allkb/7D5F60ADBFD9CDC2862572BA005DD96A?OpenDocument


Hopefully this information will help you in your process of sorting through the old VIs.

Regards,
John Bongaarts
Applications Engineering
National Instruments