PXI 6733 Error -50400

[labJunky]

hello, 

I am having a problem with one of my hardware PXI cards. It's the PXI 6733 analog output card. Yesterday it started generating an error when I try to play a waveform. This error occur also when I use the test panel in Measurement & Automation Explorer version 4.4. 

I select the device, and run the test panel. Then on analog output page, I select an output channel, and select Mode: Sinewave Generation.

I click start and I get the following message more or less instantly:

"Error -50400 Occurred at Test Panel

Possible Reason(s):

The transfer did not complete within the timeout period of with in the specified number of retries."

This also sometimes causes the computer to crash, producing the windows blue screen, or simply freezing the computer.

The problem seems to affect waveform generation only, because the static voltage updates work on the test panel.

This device can also be run from the Traditional NI DAQ test panel. Running a sinewave output here results in a Error -10805. Again static updates are functioning normally.

I was wondering if someone can tell me a way to isolate the problem. I want to know if it's a hardware problem, or a software one.  My feeling is the that it's a hardware fault, we have some grounding problems in our lab.

Any advise would be helpful.

Thank you, Paul.

[aNIta B]

Hi Paul,

          A few things to look at would be (since this appears to be a timeout issue) to change the Transfer Mechanism to see if you still get the same error.  As well, I'm curious, what Rate do you have it set at in your test panel (please try adjusting this to see if you get the same error)?  Does this error occur on all channels?  Have you had this device in the past, and has it worked then?  Does it work in a different computer? 

             One other thing to check would be to see if your power requirements are being met.  This device is one of a few that requires both a 5V supply and a 3.3V supply from the PCI bus.  You'll want to verify that your motherboard has a 3.3V supply for the PCI bus before doing other troubleshooting (found in the specifiations here: http://www.ni.com/pdf/manuals/322080e.pdf#page=67). 

            As well, Does your device pass a self test? Let me know what you find out!

[labJunky]

Hello Thank you for you reply.

Here is a list of answers to your questions.

1. The error occurs with DMA or interrupt transfer.

2. The rate is set at 1 kHz and there is no dependance of the rate on whether the error is produce.

3. The error occurs on all channels.

4. This has not happened before when I have used the test panel with this card.

5. The card is used inside a PXI box. All other card in the box function normally.

6. The card was working before so it probably isn't a power problem. Static Updates work normally.

7. The card passes the self test. 

It seems very strange to me that static update for, but waveforms don't. I made a test task, where I vary the number of sample I send the device, and the rate. But the error always occurs no matter what the conditions of the waveform. Could it be a memory buffer on the card which has developed a fault?

thanks,

paul. 

[aNIta B]

Hi Paul,

        It sounds like there is something wrong with card where it's not correctly transferring the data.  In your case, I would recommend sending your card in for RMA.   You can do this by calling 1-866-ASK-MYNI (275-6964).  Thanks!