Academic Company Events NI Developer Zone Support Solutions Products & Services Contact NI MyNI
1 ratings:
 5 out of 5     Rate this Document

Determining and Upgrading PXI and VXI Embedded Controller BIOS Versions

Hardware: PXI/CompactPCI>>Controllers

Problem:
There are several different BIOS version numbers displayed when the embedded controller BIOS loads. I need to determine the BIOS version in my embedded controller to see if I need to upgrade it. How do I determine what version of the BIOS is running on my controller? How do I upgrade the BIOS?

Solution:
You can determine the version of the BIOS in your controller by pressing the Pause/Break key on your keyboard while booting, during the start up screen. The BIOS version will appear on the top of the screen, just before the RAM size check begins.

Usually two version numbers will appear: the first one is the Manufacturers BIOS Version, and the second one is the National Instruments BIOS version. The one that matters to you is the National Instruments BIOS version, which is the one that gets upgraded.

For example, for the NI 8180 Family of controllers (PXI-8186, PXI-8187), the NI 8171 Family of controllers (PXI-8176, PXI-8175, PXI-8174, PXI-8185, PXI-8184) and the NI VXIpc-870B Family of controllers (VXIpc-871B, VXIpc-872B), the BIOS version numbers that appear are:
  • PhoenixBIOS version, such as:
    PhoenixBIOS 4.0 Release 6.0.5
  • National Instruments version, such as:
    NI 8185 Controller BIOS Version 1.70

For PXI-8170 controllers, NI 8150B (PXI-8156B, PXI-8155B) and VXIpc-870 Family of controllers (VXIpc-871, VXIpc-872, VXIpc-873), the BIOS version numbers that appear are:
  • Award BIOS version, such as:
    Award Modular BIOS v.4.51PG
  • National Instruments version, such as:
    National Instruments PXI-8170 bios version 2.2 7/11/2001

Note: National Instruments does not recommend that you update your BIOS version unless you require functionality that a new BIOS provides. If you have questions, please contact National Instrument's Support group at ni.com/support.

Upgrading the BIOS on your PXI or VXI controller:
  1. Create an MS-DOS bootable USB Key as described in KnowledgeBase 355F5URA: Booting a PXI or VXI Controller from a USB Storage Device such as a USB Key
  2. Download your BIOS from ftp://ftp.ni.com/support/pxi/ for PXI controllers or ftp://ftp.ni.com/support/vxi/ for VXI controllers.
  3. Copy the necessary files to the boot key that you just created. The README.txt file included in the BIOS directory will have the latest installation instructions.
  4. Insert your USB key into your PXI or VXI controller.
  5. Boot into your controller's BIOS and ensure that your controller has "Legacy USB" support Enabled. This allows you to boot from a USB device.  This setting is found in the BIOS under Advanced » Integrated Peripherals » Legacy USB Support.  
  6. Reboot and enter the BIOS again.
  7. Ensure that your USB device is first in the list of bootable devices.
  8. Follow the instructions from the BIOS README to flash the BIOS.

    Note: Do not interrupt the BIOS flashing process. Doing so can corrupt your BIOS and require an RMA.


Related Links:
KnowledgeBase 3H3COSD8: What Peripheral Drivers Should I Use with My PXI or VXI Controller?
(obsolete) PXI and VXI Controllers BIOS Updates and Peripheral Drivers
KnowledgeBase 2VGFJSWD: Booting a PXI or a VXI Embedded Controller Without the Keyboard and the Mouse?

Attachments:





Report Date: 12/19/2001
Last Updated: 10/10/2008
Document ID: 2GIGKD0Z

Your Feedback! poor Poor  |  Excellent excellent   Yes No
 Document Quality? 
 Answered Your Question? 
  1 2 3 4 5
Please Contact NI for all product and support inquiries.submit