why does one PC show COM1 and another ASRL1::INSTR

[SERIAL PROBLEM]

On one PC used in our lab the Full Development system is installed (with Serial, GPIB and ADC etc ), on another just the Basic Labview system (Serial only)

On one system the BASIC system our Test Program COM port comes up displayed as ASRL1::INSTR etc with selectable ASRL1...etc .

on the Full Development system   COM1,COM2,LPT  is selactable.  And that is what compiles into the executable (COM1).

On the PC's used to run the application  COM1 comes up and when run time out errors occur, but run ok when ASRL1:INSTR is entered manualy into the port I'd. Where in LAbview is the port id set?? or is it a WIndows item.

The VISA drivers etc all seem to work correctly and ID as ASRL1::INSTR on both machines

[Dennis_Knutson]

ASRL1::INSTR is the actual VISA resource name. Com1, Com2, etc. are aliases. You can assign an alias to any resource. for example, for a GPIB instrument, you might assign the alias DMM for GPIB0::3::INSTR and refer to the alias in your program. When you install the full version of VISA, MAX will automatically create the aliases COM1, etc. This is not done when you install the VISA run-time or the serial only version of VISA. You can do a couple of things. One is to use the actual VISA resource name in your program instead of the alias. You could also create the aliases on your run-time system. The aliases are in the file called visaconf.ini This is in \VXIpnp\WinNT\NIvisa. The file can be edited manually, in MAX, or by including it as part of the install program.

[JLS]

Yep,

Here are specifics on how to change or give aliases in MAX:

0. Launch MAX

1. Choose Tools -> NI-VISA -> VISA Options...

2. Click Aliases (under My System -> General Settings in the tree that appears in the center pane in MAX). 

3. Double click any resource you see populated to modify it's alias ("codename").

Best Regards,

JLS

PS - Dennis, I want to congratulate you on your recent milestone as well!  Your work on the forums is truly appreciated and certainly helpful!!!

[Brian_Powell]

As I understand it, the smaller VISA installers install the COM port
aliases if you have VISA 3.2 or later (and you're on Windows). Can the
original poster confirm what version of VISA he or she was using?

Brian

"Dennis Knutson" <x@no.email> wrote in message
news:1121353843018-241644@exchange.ni.com...
> ASRL1::INSTR is the actual VISA resource name. Com1, Com2, etc. are
> aliases. You can assign an alias to any resource. for example, for a GPIB
> instrument, you might assign the alias DMM for GPIB0::3::INSTR and refer
> to the alias in your program. When you install the full version of VISA,
> MAX will automatically create the aliases COM1, etc. This is not done when
> you install the VISA run-time or the serial only version of VISA. You can
> do a couple of things. One is to use the actual VISA resource name in your
> program instead of the alias. You could also create the aliases on your
> run-time system. The aliases are in the file called visaconf.ini This is
> in \VXIpnp\WinNT\NIvisa. The file can be edited manually, in MAX, or by
> including it as part of the install program.

[SERIAL PROBLEM]

Many thanks

Well that's one of the factors no understood and visible.

The versions of Visa are  Version 2.6 (Spec 2.2 ) on the  PCs' with Labview installed they haven't been changed in a while.

The client /run time engine PC's are newer will get a look over weekend (can't disturb factory!! during week) 

Will also  set up a new client thats clean !

TA