Learn a little more LabVIEW. Learn the idea behind the Principle of Data Flow, which makes LabVIEW allow multiple loops to run simultaneously so you can really do "Real-Time" operations. If you spend all your time in a loop waiting for a key to be pressed, there are few CPU cycles left to do other things.
Spend more time with the LabVIEW Tutorials (or, if you are taking a Class in LabVIEW, do all of the Examples and write all of the test programs). Pay attention to the Structures (except for the Sequence Structure -- you almost never was/need to use that). At some point (fairly early, I hope), you will be told about the Event Structure -- pay attention to it!!
Once you've mastered these basic fundamental concepts (Structures and Principle of Data Flow), your Program will almost write itself.
Try very hard to avoid using Express VIs. The basic Functions (like File I/O) provided with LabVIEW are pretty straight-forward and easy to use. Avoid using the awful Dynamic Data Wire -- this is only there to trick beginners into thinking "LabVIEW is easy, I don't need to learn anything" (LabVIEW is relatively easy compared to text-based languages, but you do need to learn a few things). When it was first introduced, I tried playing with it for about a week, then totally abandoned it and never looked back (except to try to discourage beginners from falling into the DDW Trap).
Bob Schor
