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The PXI System Tree in MAX Does Not List All of My PXI Controllers, Chassis or Devices After Upgrading a Driver

Primary Software: Utility Software>>Measurement & Automation Explorer
Primary Software Version: 3.0
Primary Software Fixed Version: N/A
Secondary Software: Driver Software>>NI-Device, Driver Software>>NI-FGEN, Driver Software>>NI-CAN, Driver Software>>NI-488.2, Driver Software>>NI-IMAQ for IEEE-1394, Driver Software>>NI-VISA, Driver Software>>NI-SCOPE

Problem: I am using Windows 2000 on a PXI controller or a PC connected to a PXI system via MXI-3, and I am unable to properly configure my PXI system in Measurement and Automation Explorer (MAX). Also, I noticed that the PXI System worked correctly before I recently upgraded some driver versions.

In the left-side Configuration window, I first try to identify my PXI controller and chassis by right-clicking on the PXI System (under Devices and Interfaces) and choosing first my controller, and then my chassis. However, after selecting both the chassis and controller, I notice that only the controller is listed and no additional devices are listed under the Devices and Interfaces » PXI System sub-section. My listing instead looks similar to the configuration shown in "MAX_no_chassis.jpg" (attached below).

How do I make my PXI devices show up under the PXI System sub-section of Devices and Interfaces in MAX?

Solution: Certain NI drivers are known to expose this behavior. These include, but are not limited to:
  • NI-488.2 v2.1
  • NI-VISA 3.0.1
  • NI-FGEN 2.0
  • NI-IMAQ for 1394 v1.5
  • NI-Device 1.4
  • NI-CAN 2.1
  • NI-Scope 2.5.0
  • Drivers from the August 2003 DriverCD


Solution 1: Patch the PXI Provider
The PXI Provider is a plug-in component for PXI support in MAX. If the PXI Provider becomes corrupt, you will see this behavior. To solve this problem, you will need to either patch or update your PXI Provider. In order to patch your PXI provider, download the file "PXI_Provider.msi" attached below. Double-click on the file to begin the installation and follow the on-screen instructions. To update your system, you will need the PXI Chassis Software. To obtain this software please contact a National Instruments Applications Engineer by following the Request Support link below.

Solution 2: Disable Legacy USB support
The behavior described in the Problem has been found to occur on PXI systems running Windows 2000 and having Legacy USB support enabled in the BIOS. You can verify that your system is being affected by this particular problem by following these steps:
  1. Right click on the PXI System under Devices and Interfaces in MAX.
  2. From the right-click menu, select Show PXI Buses
  3. Expand out all possible branches of the PXI System sub-section.
  4. You should see multiple extra listings for PXI Bus 255 (may possibly use another number than 255)
  5. Refer to "MAX_extra_bus.jpg" (attached below) for an example of these extra listings
If you see the extra PXI bus entries then you may be experiencing this issue.

If you are experiencing this behavior, NI strongly recommends that you disable Legacy USB support in the BIOS. Legacy USB support is typically needed only for operating systems that do not natively support USB keyboards and mice. Windows 2000 and higher natively support these features, and disabling Legacy USB will not affect the use of any USB devices in Windows 2000.

If you are using an NI 8171 Series or NI 8180 Series controller, Legacy USB support can be disabled in the BIOS configuration utility.
  1. Enter the BIOS configuration by pressing the Delete key when you first boot up your controller.
  2. Select the Advanced menu and press the Enter key.
  3. Select Integrated Peripherals and press the Enter key.
  4. Select Legacy USB Support and press the Enter key.
  5. Select Disabled and press the Enter key.
  6. Press the F10 key, select yes, and press the Enter key.
For details on the BIOS configuration utility, please refer to the user manual for your controller.

Related Links:
Manuals: NI PXI-8186 User Manual
Manuals: NI PXI-8184/8185 User Manual
Manuals: NI 8171 Series User Manual (NI 8176, NI 8175, NI 8174)
Request Support

Attachments:


MAX_no_chassis.jpgMAX_extra_bus.jpgPXI_Provider.msi


Report Date: 07/24/2003
Last Updated: 09/22/2004
Document ID: 2YOF2AJ6

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