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CompactRIO Controller Installation Issue: Connected - Safe Mode (Improper Installation)

Primary Software: LabVIEW Modules>>Real-Time Module
Primary Software Version: 2009
Primary Software Fixed Version: N/A
Secondary Software: Driver Software>>NI-RIO
Hardware: Compact FieldPoint>>Controllers

Problem:
I have just received my compactRIO controller and after installing LabVIEW RT software, the controller boots into SafeMode with the status of  Connected - Safe Mode (Improper Installation).  How do I get my CompactRIO controller out of this state?

Solution:
If possible first try is to make sure that the installation on the host machine works on another controller of the same model.  For more infomation related to this topic see "Improper Installation" Message on cRIO with NI-RIO 3.1 and NI-MAX 4.5.   This will help rule out an improper installation on the host computer, How do I Uninstall or Repair NI Software?

If it does install correctly on another CompactRIO controller, then your controller may have a rare condition where the bootline is corrupted from Manufacturing.  The bootline contains all the information that the VxWorks bootrom needs to load a VxWorks kernel image into the target's memory.  To repair this do the following steps:
  1. Set the SafeMode switch to on and reboot your controller (this step is necessary to write to the bootline located on the flash of the compactRIO controller).
  2. Locate the controller from MAX and reformat the controller (this will reformat the controller as well as repair the bootline).  The controller will reboot.  
  3. Set the SafeMode switch back to off position.
  4. Install desired software.
Note:  Problem has been seen in the CompactRIO 9012, but this issue could pertain to any VxWorks based CompactRIO Controller. 

Related Links:
KnowledgeBase 2Y4CCJK8:  Troubleshooting Hardware Installation Problems
KnowledgeBase 2V97P72H:  How do I Unistall or Repair NI Software?
KnowledgeBase 4T4AAL4M: "Improper Installation" Message on cRIO with NI-RIO 3.1 and NI-MAX 4.5

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Report Date: 06/15/2009
Last Updated: 06/17/2009
Document ID: 4YE6N2PJ

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