Academic Company Events NI Developer Zone Support Solutions Products & Services Contact NI MyNI

Legacy: SCXI System Connected to Parallel Port Via SCXI-1200

SCXI-1200 Manual

  • Have a copy of your SCXI-1200 User Manual handy while you follow the troubleshooting instructions given here. These instructions are intended to be a supplement to the SCXI-1200 User Manual, not a replacement.

Requirements:

  • If you want to use the parallel port (LPT port) to control your SCXI system, then you must have a SCXI-1200 as the first module in your chassis. The parallel port cable connects directly from the back of SCXI-1200 to the LPT port of your computer.

Parallel Port Interface:

  • If you plan to connect the SCXI-1200 directly to the parallel port of your computer, read this section carefully. An IBM-compatible computer can support up to three parallel printer ports, which are designated LPT1, LPT2, and LPT3. Each port uses three consecutive I/O addresses. When you power up your system, the BIOS assigns the printer ports to the logical LPT designations in the following order - LPT1, LPT2, and LPT3.

    The starting addresses of the parallel printer ports, in the order assigned to LPT designations, are 3BC, 378, and 278 hex. Therefore, if you have installed all three ports, 3BC hex is LPT1, 378 hex is LPT2, and 278 hex is LPT3. If you have not installed port 3BC hex, port 378 hex becomes LPT1 and port 278 hex becomes LPT2. If only one parallel port is present, it is LPT1. The SCXI-1200 can use the parallel port hardware interrupts for interrupt-driven data acquisition. Interrupt levels 7 and 5 are commonly used for parallel ports. Refer to your parallel port reference manual for details about interrupt selection. When you use the SCXI-1200, you must know which port and interrupt channel is being used. If you use the SCXI-1200 with NI-DAQ software, however, you select the port and interrupt at configuration time.

    If you are using the SCXI-1200 with the SCXI-2000 chassis or the SCXI-2400 module with RS-232/RS-485 communications, you do not need to be concerned with parallel port addresses and interrupts.

Installation procedure:

  1. We will discuss the installation of the following test setup:
    • SCXI-1000 Chassis
    • SCXI-1200 multifunction DAQ I/O module with parallel port cable
    • SCXI-1100 Analog Input Module with SCXI-1300 Terminal Block

    Notes:

    • This installation procedure will work with other setup consisting of SCXI-1200 and other modules. But, there are jumpers and other hardware settings specific to certain modules which need to be set correctly.

    • Please refer to this link for additional information on cable assemblies, terminal blocks and other accessories specfic to your module.

    • All manuals for SCXI chassis and modules can be downloaded by searching our Product Manual Library

  2. Insert the SCXI-1200 module into the first slot (closest to power switch) of the chassis and add other modules in the subsequent slots. Make sure the chassis is powered off when you insert the modules.

  3. Next, cable the module to the computer by connecting one of the 25-pin D SUB ends of the parallel port cable to the PC parallel port and the other end to the back of the SCXI-1200. Screw in the mounting screws on the connectors to establish a firm connection.

  4. Power on the chassis.

  5. In Windows 98/95:
    Go to Start >> Control Panel >> Add new hardware. Click the "next" button until you reach list of hardware. Select "SCXI-1200" under "Data Acquisition Devices." If Data Acquisition Devices does not show up, it is likely that you have not installed NI-DAQ correctly.

    For Windows NT:
    Go to step 6 directly.

  6. Launch the Measurement & Automation explorer by double-clicking the icon on the desktop.

  7. Double-click on the "Devices and Interfaces."
    In Windows 95/98, you should see SCXI-1200 (added in step 5) listed under "Devices and Interfaces." Right-click on SCXI-1200 and select "Properties." Jump to step 8.

    In Windows NT, right click on "Devices and Interfaces" and select "Create New". You will see a list of devices as shown below:

  8. In the next window, Click on "Modify." This will pop up the following window:

  9. From the pull down ring menu, select the parallel port (e.g. LPT1). Click OK and "Next" in the following window.

  10. Set the operating mode, polarity/range and the accessory used and click "Finish."

  11. Now you will see the SCXI-1200 listed under the "Devices and Interfaces."

  12. Continuation of the installation procedure


Back to Main SCXI Troubleshooting Page


Your Feedback! poor Poor  |  Excellent excellent   Yes No
 Document Quality?   Answered Your Question? 
  1 2 3 4 5
Please Provide Additional Feedback below
Please visit Request Support for product support inquiries. submit