Startup VI has delayed Lookout communications alarm

[pat.kyne@slcontrols.com]

I am configuring an XP operating system to launch a Labview 7.1 VI automatically when the user logs in.

I am connecting to a GE Fanuc Series 90-30 PLC via the DSC and Industrial Automation  OPC Servers 5.1. The tags are configured to read through OPC Lookout driver.

I am recieving communications alarms from the OPC ,only when everything is started from an initial boot of the PC. Any subsequent cycling of the DSC engine clears the alarm.

Its as if the DSC is polling tags before the OPC server has a chance to fully launch itself and thus creating the alarms that continue intermittantly until the DSC engine is cycled.

[JamesC]

Hi Pat,

You seem to have hit the nail on the head. When you open up LabVIEW with DSC, the Tag engine also starts, and tries to check the status of the tags, in the SCF file that was last loaded.

What I suggest you do is write a batch file with these lines
Pause 5000
c:\<path to VI>

This should give you a 5 second pause afterthe user logs in, to give the OPC server time to initialize and then it will open the VI.

Please can you give this a try and let me know how it goes.

Regards
JamesC
NIUK and Ireland

[pat.kyne@slcontrols.com]

James,

I'm using XP Pro as the OS and used a similar delaying tactic in a batch file without success and with using mainy different timing scenarios. However the effort did reveal that the OPC exe called      ikopcsrv.exe   as being the programme behind the issue.

It seems that the DSC engine calls this programme every time it is launched but the initial call at boot/login does not get the desired result from it.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Pat.

[JamesC]

Hi Pat,

I am just installing DSC 7.1 as I have 8.0 and 8.2 DSC installed.

I need DSC 7.1 installed as we completely change the DSC interface with LV 8.0 and the advent of the Shared Variable.
My best guess at this point would be could you use at batch file to open ikopcsrv.exe at startup and then after a pause call your DSC program.

I will have a go at this after DSC is installed.

Regards
JamesC
NIUK and Ireland

[pat.kyne@slcontrols.com]

James,

I have tried different timing scenarios and starting the ikopcsrv.exe prior to the DSC via a batch file causes error. It apears the DSC should only be the one to call the OPC programme.

I have approc 114 tags in the OPC of which 8 are analogue.

Baud set to 19200. Could it be the initial loading?

Regards,

Pat.

[JamesC]

Hi Pat,

I am getting out of my depth here and have escalated your problem to the US to see if they have anymore information to offer.

Regards
JamesC
NIUK and Ireland