How Do I Make My PXI or VXI Controller Boot From a Floppy Disk?
Primary Software: Driver Software>>NI-VXI/VISA
Primary Software Version: 3.1
Primary Software Fixed Version: N/A
Secondary Software: N/A
Hardware: PXI/CompactPCI>>Controllers>>PXI-8155B, VXI/VME/MXI>>VXI Controllers
Problem: I want my PXI or VXI controller to boot from the floppy into the
A: prompt to restore the operating system, but it always tries to boot from the hard drive first. What do I need to change?
Or, I want my RT Series PXI controller to boot into the Real-Time Operating System from an RT PXI Boot Disk, but it always tries to boot from the hard drive first. What do I need to change?
Solution: A BIOS setting for the embedded controller needs to be changed. BIOS stands for Basic Input/Output System and it is what runs first to get the controller running. You will need a monitor and keyboard connected to the controller to make a change in the BIOS. Please refer to the table below and the BIOS that applies to your controller for instructions on how to make the required changes.
PHOENIX BIOS SETUP UTILITY from PHOENIX- Boot or reboot the controller.
- While it is booting, enter the BIOS by pressing Delete (when the controller is booting up, the required key to enter the BIOS is displayed on the bottom of the screen).
- After entering the BIOS you will need to use the arrow keys (right arrow key) to navigate to the Boot section.
- Make sure that the Removable Devices entry is first. Use the arrow keys to highlight this entry and type the Enter key to expand the entry. Check that the "Legacy Floppy Drives" is enabled. This will allow the controller to boot from the floppy disk, by forcing it to check the floppy drive, A:, first for the boot instructions.
Note: The exact names of the BIOS headings and features may differ between the BIOS versions, but they will be similar.
- Save and Exit the BIOS.
- Now your controller should boot from the floppy disk first, allowing you to boot into the A: prompt.
Note: If you are using an RT Series PXI controller you can now boot into the RT Engine from the RT Series PXI Boot Disk.
CMOS SETUP UTILITY from AWARD SOFTWARE INC.- Boot or reboot the controller.
- While it is booting, enter the BIOS by pressing Delete. The key you press to enter the BIOS is displayed on the bottom of the screen when the controller is booting up.
- After entering the BIOS you will need to use the arrow keys to navigate to the BIOS Features Setup heading and press Enter.
- Use the arrow keys to navigate to the Boot Sequence heading.
- Make sure the Boot Sequence is set to A, C, SCSI. This will allow the controller to boot from the floppy disk, by forcing it to check the floppy drive, A:, first for boot instructions. Note: The exact names of the BIOS headings and features may differ between the BIOS versions, but they will be similar.
- Save your changes and exit the BIOS.
- Now your controller should boot from the floppy disk first, allowing you to boot into the A: prompt.
Note: If you are using an RT Series PXI controller you can now boot into the RT Engine from the RT Series PXI Boot Disk.
AMBIOS HIFLEX SETUP UTILITY from AMBIOS- Boot or reboot the controller.
- While it is booting, enter the BIOS by pressing Delete. The key you press to enter the BIOS is displayed on the bottom of the screen when the controller is booting up.
- After entering the BIOS you will need to use the arrow keys to navigate to the Advanced CMOS Setup heading and press Enter.
- Make sure the Bootup Sequence is set to A:,C:,CDROM. This will allow the controller to boot from the floppy disk, by forcing it to check the floppy drive, A:, first for boot instructions. Note: The exact names of the BIOS headings and features may differ between different BIOS versions, but they will be similar.
- Save your changes and exit the BIOS.
- Now your controller should boot from the floppy disk first, allowing you to boot into the A: prompt.
Note: If you are using an RT Series PXI controller you can now boot into the RT Engine from the RT Series PXI Boot Disk.
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Report Date: 05/01/2000
Last Updated: 05/24/2004
Document ID: 1X0H52KS
