Configuring a PXI-1010 or PXI-1011 Chassis in Measurement & Automation Explorer

1. Configuration Outline

1. Configuring the PXI-1010 in MAX
   1. Configuring Directions for MAX 2.x
      1. Configuration for Embedded Controllers
      2. Configuration for MXI-3
      3. Completing Configuration for Embedded Controllers and MXI-3 Extenders: Configuring the SCXI Chassis
   2. Configuring Directions for MAX 3.x and Later
      1. Identify Your PXI System in MAX
      2. Configuring the SCXI Portion of your System
2. Related Links

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2. Configuring the PXI-1010 in MAX

After the devices have been placed into the PXI chassis, there are different ways to configure the chassis depending upon the version of MAX installed on your machine. In order find this information, you can consult this KnowledgeBase which contains a list of the Traditional NI-DAQ drivers that install MAX. If your version of Traditional NI-DAQ is not listed here, follow these steps below:

1. Open MAX
2. On the Toolbar, navigate to Help » About.
3. On the About MAX screen, find the version installed.

Knowing the version of MAX on your machine, navigate to the appropriate section below.

Configuring Directions for MAX 2.x

In the following section, it will explain how to configure your PXI-1010/1011 in MAX. Depending upon how you are controlling your PXI chassis, the instructions are different for embedded controllers or for MXI-3 connections

Configuration for Embedded Controllers

1. Obtain the correct pxisys.ini file for your controller and chassis from the PXISYS.INI Files page. The pxisys.ini files are also on a disk that shipped with your PXI embedded controller.
   
   
2. Copy the appropriate .ini file into the following directory:
   
   • Windows 98/95/XP
     Place the pxisys.ini file into the C:\Windows directory.
   • Windows NT/2000
     Place the pxisys.ini file into the C:\WINNT directory.
   • Real-Time Operating System
     Place the pxisys.ini file into the C:\NI-RT\SYSTEM directory.
3. Install the data acquisition module that will control the SCXI module(s) in the last slot of the PXI chassis (slot 8 for the PXI-1010, slot 4 for the PXI-1011).
   
   Note: To check to see if your device is supported SCXI controller, please consult this KnowledgeBase for more information.
   
   
4. Refer to the Completing Configuration for Embedded Controllers and MXI-3 Extenders: Configuring the SCXI Chassis section to complete the chassis configuration.

Configuration for MXI-3

1. Download and install MXI-3 Software 1.15 onto your computer.
   
   
2. Install your MXI-3 extender in your PC and your PXI chassis according to the installation instructions in the related link MXI-3 Installation Guide.
   
   
3. Power on your PXI chassis then your PC. Run the MXI-3 Optimization application (Start » Programs » National Instruments MXI-3 » MXI-3 Optimization).
   
   Note: You can also configure the MXI-3 Optimization software to run automatically every time your computer boots up.
   
   
4. After following the installation instructions and running the MXI-3 Software, determine the model number of your PXI chassis (e.g., PXI-1010 or PXI-1011).
   
   
5. Using the chassis model number, locate the corresponding pxisys.ini file. An .ini file for several PXI chassis can be found in the C:\Program Files\National Instruments\MXI3\pxisys directory. The files are of the form pxisys_nnnn.ini, where nnnn is the PXI chassis model code.
   
   
6. Copy the pxisys_nnnn.ini file that corresponds to your chassis into the following directory:
   
   
   • Windows 98/95/XP
     Place the pxisys.ini file into the C:\Windows directory.
   • Windows NT/2000
     Place the pxisys.ini file into the C:\WINNT directory.
     
7. Rename the copied file (in the Windows or WINNT directory) to "pxisys" so that it is now called "pxisys.ini".
   
   
8. Shut down all PXI Chassis and PC and install the data acquisition board that will control the SCXI module(s) in the last slot of the PXI chassis (slot 8 for the PXI-1010, slot 4 for the PXI-1011).
   
   Note: To check to see if your device is supported SCXI controller, please consult this KnowledgeBase for more information.
   
   
9. Power on the PXI chassis (and SCXI) before powering on the PC. It is very important to power on the PXI chassis before powering on the PC each time you power up your system.
   
   
10. Refer to the Completing Configuration for Embedded Controllers and MXI-3 Extenders: Configuring the SCXI Chassis section below to complete the chassis configuration.

Completing Configuration for Embedded Controllers and MXI-3 Extenders: Configuring the SCXI Chassis

1. Open the Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX) version 2.x (you will find the icon on the desktop of your computer). Make sure the controlling data acquisition board appears under "Devices and Interfaces."
   
   
2. Right-click on "Devices and Interfaces" and choose Create New from the pop-up menu.
   
   
3. In the Create New window select the appropriate PXI chassis (1010 or 1011) and click Next.
   
   
4. If you see an error message that states that it could not locate the pxisys.ini, make sure that you followed the steps above which explain how to copy the correct pxisys.ini file into the proper location.
   
   
5. If the Control SCXI with Internal Bus option is grayed out:
   
   • Make sure you have the latest version of NI-DAQ installed.
     
     
   • The PXI-DAQ module must be in the slot closest to the SCXI chassis.
     
     
   • Make sure that the SCXI section of the chassis is powered on.
     
     
   • Verify that you have the correct pxisys.ini file (not the chassis.ini) and that it is in the appropriate directory.
   
   Note: You will not be able to control the SCXI chassis over the internal bus until you select "Control SCXI with Internal Bus".
   
   
6. Make sure that the chassis ID and address match the dip switch settings on the PXI-1010 chassis. There are no dip switches on the PXI-1011 chassis.
   
   
7. Click OK and you will be prompted to auto detect any SCXI modules. Make sure that the SCXI section of the chassis is powered on, and that your modules are inserted. If both are true, you can click "Yes" to auto-detect the modules.
   
   
8. The chassis should now show up in the Devices and Interfaces section of MAX. After installation, you can manually add modules to the unit by right-clicking on the slots available in the PXI chassis sub-menu (under Devices and Interfaces) and choosing Insert from the pop-up menu. Again, if the Control SCXI with Internal Bus option was grayed out, manually adding the modules will not solve the problem. (The procedure is the same for a standard SCXI module.)

Configuring Directions for MAX 3.x or Later

In MAX, the steps required for configuring your PXI-1010 or PXI-1011 chassis are the same, regardless of whether you use an embedded controller or MXI connection.

The first section of this tutorial article explains how to configure your controller and the PXI portion of the chassis. This directs MAX to the appropriate PXISYS.INI configuration file on your computer. The second portion of this tutorial explains how to configure the SCXI portion of the chassis.

Identifying Your PXI System In MAX

In MAX, the controller and chassis used in your PXI system must ALWAYS be identified. As such, the following steps must be performed even if you are using a chassis other than the PXI-1010 or PXI-1011.

1. Launch MAX under Start » Programs » National Instruments » Measurement & Automation
   
   
2. Click on the Devices and Interfaces section in the Configuration tree to expand it.
   
   
3. If the PXI system controller has not yet been configured it will be labelled as "PXI System (Unidentified)". Right-click on this entry and select Identify As from the menu. Choose the controller model that you are using.
   
   
   Note: If you are using MXI (i.e. a remote controller) to control the PXI portion of your chassis, you should select "External PC".
   
   
4. Right-click on the chassis that appears under the PXI System entry and select Identify As from the menu. Choose your PXI-SCXI combo chassis (e.g. PXI-1010 or PXI-1011).
   
   
5. Once the controller and chassis are identified, the PXI portion of your system configuration will be complete.

Configuring the SCXI Portion of your System

Ensure that you have a PXI data acquisition device installed in the right most slot of your PXI combo chassis. This device will control the SCXI portion of the chassis through the PXI-SCXI chassis's backplane.

1. Turn on the power to the SCXI portion of your combo chassis if your combo chassis has separate power for the PXI and SCXI portions.
   
   
2. In MAX, right-click on Devices and Interfaces and choose Create New.
   
   
3. Select your combo chassis (PXI-1010 or PXI-1011) from either the "NI-DAQmx SCXI Chassis" or "Traditional NI-DAQ Device" list and click on Finish.
   
   
4. Continue through the remainder of the configuration prompts to complete the SCXI portion of your system configuration. After this has been completed, it will look like the picture below.

More information on configuring your SCXI system can be found in the MAX help under Help » Help Topics » PXI (search for SCXI).

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3. Related Links

KnowledgeBase 1EGB71UI: What Are PXISYS.INI and CHASSIS.INI?
VXI/PXI Support: PXISYS.INI Files
KnowledgeBase 2D6DMR58: Which PXI DAQ Cards will Control the SCXI Backplane in PXI-1010-1011?