Can I Install or Uninstall VXI Modules Without Powering Down My PC?
Hardware: VXI/VME/MXI>>VXI Interfaces>>VXI-8360, VXI/VME/MXI>>VXI Interfaces>>VXI-8360T
Problem: I am using a VXI chassis connected to my PC with a VXI-MXI-Express connection. I would like to change out modules without shutting my PC down. I've heard of a method to put the chassis in an offline mode while the PC is still running, which will allow modules to be swapped. How can I take my VXI chassis offline to swap modules?
Solution: The ideal method to install or uninstall VXI modules when using a VXI-MXI-Express link between a PC and a VXI chassis is to do the following:
- Shut down and power off the PC
- Power off the VXI chassis
- Add or remove modules
- Power on the VXI chassis
- Power on the PC
With VXI-MXI-Express, there is also a way to take the VXI chassis offline to swap modules without shutting down the PC. Instructions on how to do this are listed below.
Important Notes:
- While this process is supported for a VXI-MXI-Express link, it should NOT be used with other PCI/PCIe bridges.
- This procedure is supported under Windows XP only.
- It is very important to follow this procedure in the correct order shown. Failure to do so will increase the chance for the PC to crash and a reboot will be necessary.
Procedure to take a VXI chassis offline with VXI-MXI-Express:
- Make sure that both the VXI chassis and the PC are running
- Make sure that no software including MAX or other National Instruments software is open or running
- Open Windows Device Manager
- In Device Manager, select View»Devices by Connection
- Browse through the tree list for a listing for the VXI-836x that will be listed under PCI Standard PCI-to-PCI Bridge
Note: The tree hierarchy will be organized differently for different PCs, but the VXI-836x should be listed under a PCI Standard PCI-to-PCI Bridge if the hardware has been detected properly by the BIOS.
- Right-click on the PCI Standard PCI-to-PCI Bridge label that the VXI-836x is directly listed under and choose Disable. Here is an example of what this could look like:
- Turn off the VXI chassis
- Add or remove any VXI modules that need to be changed
- Verify that the exact same 836x VXI controller is in the same slot in the chassis as it was before the bus was disabled
- Turn the VXI chassis back on
- Right click again on the PCI Standard PCI-to-PCI Bridge listing and choose Enable.
- Rerun Resman before doing anything else with the hardware
You should now be able to operate the hardware normally.
Related Links:
Attachments:
Report Date: 11/05/2007
Last Updated: 02/15/2008
Document ID: 4F48AQBE
