Using and Troubleshooting the GPIB-VXI/C

Setting Up HyperTerminal to Access the GPIB-VXI/C

You can access the GPIB-VXI/C through the serial interface. In Windows 9x/NT/2000, the easiest way is to use HyperTerminal (Start » Programs » Accessories » HyperTerminal and select Hypertrm.exe).

In order to use the serial interface you will need to connect a 9-pin serial cable between the controller and one of the COM ports on your computer. You cannot use an ordinary serial cable. The GPIB-VXI/C requires a special cable. You can build this cable yourself or order it from National Instruments, P/N 181139-02. The serial cable made by National Instruments has a label that says GPIB-VXI on one end. Make sure that this end is connected to the GPIB-VXI/Cs serial interface. To build the cable yourself, Refer to Appendix D of the GPIB-VXI/C User Manual for a description of the signal pins on the RS-232 connector or KnowledgeBase 21O9UTMB. After connecting the cable, you can view the RESMAN output from a terminal emulator such as HyperTerminal.

To prepare a HyperTerminal Session, follow the instructions listed below:

Double click on the Hypertrm.exe icon.
You will be asked to define the name of the session (GPIB-VXIC in this example).
Select the Com port you want to use in the Connect using option.
You will be asked for the serial port settings. The serial port settings of the GPIB-VXI/C are 9600 baud, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, and no parity. The GPIB-VXI/C also uses Hardware Flow Control.
Power on the chassis. If Switch S21 is set to the Print Enabled position (Switch S11 in older GPIB-VXI/C boards), you will see the Resman output displayed on the screen.
After Resman has displayed its output, there is a GPIB-VXI prompt. You can issue commands to the GPIB-VXI/C from this prompt. Please refer to the section Common commands for the GPIB-VXI/C.