Serial Ports Do Not Appear In IMAQ Vision Builder For Automated Inspection (VBAI)
Primary Software: Vision Builder for Automated Inspection
Primary Software Version: 3.0
Primary Software Fixed Version: N/A
Secondary Software: N/A
Hardware: Serial
Problem: I'm using Vision Builder for Automated Inspection (VBAI) and I want to use the Serial Port communication feature. When I try to set commands to be sent or to test the serial port none of them appear in the selection box (COM1, COM2, etc.). What's wrong?
Solution: The following troubleshooting steps should be performed to ensure you have correctly configured your hardware and have the appropriate software:
- Make sure NI-VISA 2.6.0 or higher is installed.
- Make sure your serial ports appear under Devices and Interfaces in Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX). If they don't then you need to troubleshoot the serial ports following the VISA Support guidelines. VBAI searches for the serial ports with the VISA installation in MAX, so if they are in MAX they should appear in VBAI.
- If your serial ports are in MAX and still they do not appear in VBAI, make sure the serial ports are actually functional. You can try the Windows Hyperterminal utility to set up a communications test.
Note: If one of your ports is not accessible (functional) the ports that follow that one will not appear in VBAI. For example, if COM1 is not accessible it will force COM2 and the rest to not appear. But if COM1 is functional but COM2 is not, then you will only see COM1.
- If Hyperterminal mentions that there is a port that is not accessible then you need to check Windows Device Manager ( Start » Settings » Control Panel » System » Hardware » Device Manager ). The listing for the serial ports will be under Ports (COM &LPT). Check that the serial ports are not conflicting.
- If they are not in conflict then try reinstalling the Windows Serial Port Driver. To do this, right click on the serial port listed under Ports (COM &LPT), go to Update Driver... and follow instructions.
- If even after all this procedure your serial port does not work then you will need to contact your computer's manufacturer. The serial port might be defective.
Related Links: Product Reference: NI Vision Builder for Automated Inspection Release Notes 3.0.1 Drivers and Updates: NI-VISA DriverKnowledgeBase 1M9D8H6Q: Serial Communication Starting PointSupport: Serial Products Troubleshooting WizardNI Developer Zone: How to Do a Serial Loopback Test
Attachments:
Report Date: 01/15/2003
Last Updated: 08/16/2007
Document ID: 2TEAGDXL
