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GPIB Hardware and Software Diagnostic Tests In DOS

Primary Software: Driver Software>>NI-488.2
Primary Software Version: 2.7.2
Primary Software Fixed Version: N/A
Secondary Software: N/A
Hardware: GPIB>>Plug-in Controllers>>AT-GPIB/TNT (PnP), GPIB>>Plug-in Controllers>>AT-GPIB/TNT+

Problem:
How can I test my GPIB installation in DOS?

Solution:
Included with your NI-488.2 driver software are two programs that can be used to test your hardware and software installations:ibtest and ibdiag. To verify and test the hardware and software installation, run the ibtest software diagnostic program that came with your NI-488.2 software. The ibtest program is an NI-488.2 application that makes calls to the driver just as your application does. To verify and test the hardware installation, run the ibdiag hardware diagnostic program that came with your NI-488.2 software. ibdiag verifies that your hardware is functioning properly and that the configuration of your board does not conflict with anything else in your system.

Software Diagnostic Program
Follow these steps to run ibtest:

  1. Disconnect any GPIB cables.
  2. Go to the directory where the software is installed (for example, c:\at-gpib).
  3. Enter the following command: ibtest

The software diagnostic will then test the driver by making calls to each configured GPIB controller.

If ibtest completes with no errors, you have installed the NI-488.2 software correctly.

Note: The diagnostic test will try to test controllers GPIB0 through GPIB3, even though you may only have one GPIB controller (GPIB0). This is normal.

If ibtest returns an error message for GPIB0, then make sure you have configured the software as described in KnowledgeBase 446ILSGH: NI-488.2 Driver Software Configuration in DOS. Additional information on hardware and software diagnostic error codes may be obtained from the GPIB Getting Started manual, in the troubleshooting section.

Hardware Diagnostic Program
Follow these steps to run ibdiag:

  1. Disconnect any GPIB cables.
  2. Go to the directory where the software is installed (for example, c:\at-gpib).
  3. Enter the following command: ibdiag

The hardware diagnostic will then test all configured boards. If the test fails to find any GPIB controllers, you must configure them first in ibconf. For details on doing this, see KnowledgeBase 446ILSGH: NI-488.2 Driver Software Configuration in DOS

If ibdiag completes with no errors, your hardware is functioning properly. If ibdiag returns an error message, go back to the previous step and reconfigure the board to not use a DMA channel or an IRQ. Then shut down the computer, remove the IRQ, DACK, and DRQ jumpers, and boot up again. Rerun the hardware diagnostic test. At this point only the board's base I/O address is being tested. If the diagnostic continues to fail, then there are only three possible reasons:

  1. The Base I/O Address selected has a conflict with another hardware component in your computer. You should try other addresses, being certain to modify the DIP switches and ibconf settings each time.
  2. The Base I/O Address selected in ibconf is not a legal address. If using a Non-Plug and Play board, the Base I/O Address selected in ibconf does not match the DIP switch settings on the board. Sometimes users accidentally set the switches exactly opposite of what they should be. Be certain that you are following the switch diagram given in ibconf correctly.
    Note: The AT-GPIB/TNT (PnP) and AT-GPIB/TNT+ have valid address ranges of 0x0100 to 0x03E0 in increments of 0x20 bytes.
  3. The board has been damaged and needs repair. Call National Instruments if you feel this is the case.

If both the hardware and software diagnostic tests pass, then your next task is to communicate with your GPIB device through the Interactive Control (IBIC).



Related Links:
KnowledgeBase 446ILSGH: NI-488.2 Driver Software Configuration in DOS

Attachments:


ibdiag_at-tnt.gifibtest.gif

Report Date: 12/01/2006
Last Updated: 12/28/2006
Document ID: 440CKFGH

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