Software Manual

Section 01

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Starting Hardware and Software

Introduction

For the NT workstation to replace the HP, a few cables have to be disconnected from the old computer and connected to the new one. Make sure everything is connected right before starting the LabView software. The necessary steps are briefly described here.

Step 1: Change GPIB Connection

Several GPIB cable connectors are plugged into the LeCroy electronics frame and there is one connector that is not plugged in. Disconnect the GPIB cable that leads to the old HP computer and plug in the one that goes to the iotech box (see step 3 below).


Above: Connection for the HP computer

Below: Connection for the NT

Step 2: Change the Interface Cable

The second connection that needs to be changed can only be accessed from behind the instrument. Disconnect the cable that goes to the HP and plug in the one that comes from behind the iotech box as shown in the pictures on the left.

Step 3: Turn On the IOTech Box

Find the button on the back of the IOTech box and turn it on.

Step 4: Turn On the GPIB Bus Expander

That is the box that is sitting on top of the NT computer tower (at the time of this writing).

Step 5: Start the NT Computer

Now turn on the computer if it is not already on.

Step 6: Log In

Use your own login if you have one on this machine. If you don't have one, use "3F" as user name. Ask somebody else for the password.


Start_3f

Step 7: Start LabView

Once logged in, there should be an shortcut icon on the desktop called "Start_3f". Double click to start the LabView software. This should automatically start the 3f control. If it loads, but does not automatically run (see below), force it to start by clicking on the little right arrow in the LabView window:

Connection Problems

At this point it is not too unlikely that the window shown on the left pops up. There are three possible reasons for this to happen:

  • It could be that the raster is really set to 50, 250 or 500 micron and that the respective button is lit. In this case, simply press the zero raster button and this warning window should disappear.
  • Some quirk in the electronics sometimes leads to a situation where (at instrument startup) none of the raster buttons is lit. In this situation the actual raster setting could be anything. Pressing the zero button usually fixes this situation: The respective button light should come on and the warning window should disappear.
  • This warning window could also be an indication that the connection between the computer and the instrument is broken. If after pressing the zero raster button, the window still does not disappear, the problem clearly is this connection. Verify that all you have followed all the steps described above for starting up the instrument and then stop and restart LabView.
    You can also ignore the fact that there is no software - hardware connection and continue running the LabView software. This may occasionally be useful for debugging purposes. You will not be able to measure anything this way, though.

If this warning window does not show up at startup, the connection between the computer and the instrument was tested successfully.

Everything Running?

If the 3f control is running, the digital time display in the menu window will show the actual time with seconds. This is the best way to tell that everything is fine.

FJ Stadermann
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