NI-DAQmx, version 8.6.1. Updating may corrupt the Measurement and Automation Explorer configuration file

[Blue_Estel]

Thank you for using NI-DAQmx, version 8.6.1. This release resolves an issue that occurs when upgrading from NI-DAQmx version 8.6f5 through 8.6f11 to version 8.6f12. Updating to 8.6f12 may corrupt the Measurement and Automation Explorer configuration file causing a MAX database connection error when opening Measurement and Automation Explorer.

I've updated to 8.6.1 and now MAX will not run.  How do I fix MAX?

~chris

[BeCeGa]

HI Chris, What caused the corruption in MAX was the version 8.6.0f12, the version 8.6.1 has this issue fixed. If you already had trouble with this,

Perform the following steps to delete the MAX configuration settings:

1. Exit all NI applications.
2. Launch the command window:
1. Select Run... from the Windows Start menu.
2. Type "cmd", and click OK.
3. Type "net stop mxssvr" and press Enter to stop the MAX database service. If you are prompted to stop other services, stop them.
4. Type "exit" and press Enter to close the command window.
3. Find the Data folder:

• On Windows XP and Windows 2000:
1. Navigate to C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\National Instruments\MAX\Data\
2. The folder named Application Data is a hidden folder.  You can view hidden folders by selecting Tools » Folder Options... » click the View tab, and selecting Show hidden files and folders.
• On Windows Vista: 
1. Navigate to C:\ProgramData\National Instruments\MAX\Data
2. If this folder cannot be seen, go to the C: drive and then in the menu bar, choose Organize » Folder and Search Options » click the View tab.
3. Select the Show hidden files and folders option.
4. Deselect the Hide protected Operating System files option.

4. Delete the Data folder.
   
   Note: Deleting the Data folder in its entirety will remove all configuration settings. The next time MAX is launched, you will have to configure all of your hardware again.
5. Reboot your computer.

For more information: Product Notice: Software Problem May Corrupt Configuration in MAX (NI-DAQmx)

This should fix the corruption.

Best Regards

[Blue_Estel]

I did all of that but I'm still having issues.

I can open MAX, but when I select any of my tasks I get the following messgage;

"Initialization Error: Failed to initialize the Assistant. Please contact National Instruments."

then I get a Windows Msg telling me that MAX has stopped working, the program has a problem and is closing.

I can initially open the tasks but after a couple seconds MAX crashes

~chris

[BeCeGa]

Hi chris besides this there are other things that can stop Max working correclty as some Antivirus and firewall settings. In the following link you can find some of them:

Why Do I Get a Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX) Database Connection Error?

Which is your OS?, what antivirus are you using? Make sure the NI Configuration Manager and NI Device Loader (nidevldu) Services are started Started (explained din the link above). 

Also another option is that DAQ was not installed correclty so you could uninstall DAQmx and install it again.

Hope this helps

[Blue_Estel]

Here's a screen shot of my error;

http://se-detroit.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/max_error.jpg

I know it's small and hard to read but it says; "Initialization Error: Failed to initialize the Assistant. Please Contact National Instruments."

I've done everything that you've posted up to this point however, it does not seem that I am having any issues connecting to the database.

The OS in XP and the antivirus is McAfee OAS.  I've been running with this config for about 6 months now.  I only started having issues once I upgraded to the 8.6.1 driver package last week.

~chris

Message Edited by Blue_Estel on 01-21-2008 09:52 AM

[Blue_Estel]

I unistalled & reinstalled DAQmx and the problem was still present.

So I uninstalled MAX and everything associated with that app.  After re-installing the MAX software, everything appears to be functioning again.

~chris

[Blue_Estel]

"The OS is XP and the antivirus is McAfee OAS"

I apologize, I'm running VISTA -not- XP.

[MF]

I too am having similar problems with the update to 8.6.1. If I open some old source code with Traditional DAQ drivers, I get a initialization error on the lvdaq.dll library. If I disable the NI Device Loader service, the source opens up. I do not know if it will run or not on my machine with real hardware because the real hardware is located on another machine. If I go into MAX and try to look at simulated devices, MAX bombs out. If I leave NI Device Loader to automatically start, MAX works fine. I would appreciate any suggestions. For system info, I am working on a Dell PC with 1 GB of RAM, no extra slots for hardware, and running Win XP Pro. I have reinstalled LV 8.5 5-6 times according to directions on this forum (remove LV and all NI software, delete registry entries, etc.). I have also reinstalled pieces of the software including Traditional DAQ 7.4.4.

Michael

[Hani R]

Hi Michael,

Does MAX crash if you create a simulated device (rather than view a previously created device)?  Simulated device may need to be recreated. 

Reinstalling LabVIEW would not help fix any issues with the DAQ driver.  Did you uninstall and reinstall the DAQ driver?  If you have already followed the steps in KnowledgeBase articles that were linked by Benjamin, you may want to uninstall DAQmx 8.6.1 and all of its dependancies and then install DAQmx 8.7 (released in January 2007). 

[MF]

Hello Hani,

Too late for another update try. I ended up getting my sys admin to "Ghost" the hardrive image and I started fresh. Not a bad way to go, starting over that is. All works fine and in unison together. One day, NI will make these install/uninstall/repair operations easier and not require such heavy handed fixes. At least that is what should happen ;-}


Michael Froehlich

PS NIDAQmx 8.7 in January, 2008? Where is the link?