VInstrumentation - Frequently Asked Questions FAQs

Q1 I have plugged in the VIPS pod but nothing happens?
Q2 I have checked the ports but still nothing happens?
Q3 I have a single pod plugged into the parallel port. What position should this be in?
Q4 I have set logging ON on the toolbar but nothing logs. What’s going on?
Q5 I am working with Win 3.1 and the software won’t work. Why not?
Q6 I want to drive the pods from my own software. Where do I start?
Q7 Can VInstrumentation systems be run on a NT, 2000 or XP machine?
Q8 Can the VIPS T100 module or VIPod101/T be used to measure voltage?

Q1 I have plugged in the VIPS pod but nothing happens?
A1 There can be a number of reasons for this associated with the parallel port configuration. Sometimes manufacturers, especially laptop manufacturers, map the ports in a non standard way. Try the following steps:

1 The software is normally set to drive LPT1. This can be changed from the menu bar using the File|Port option. Try ports 2 and 3 to see if they work. If not :-
2 Examine the settings of your parallel port you are using – the LPT number should be written beside the parallel connector. You can examine the settings using the Windows Control Panel

1. Open the Win95/98 Control Panel by clicking on Start|Settings|Control Panel.

2. On the Control Panel, double click the System icon and then click the Device Manager tab. The parallel ports fitted on your machine are listed under Ports(COM & LPT). Click on this line to show the ports fitted then click on the LPT port you are using. Select the Resources tab and a window showing the characteristic of the port appears. The resources should be Interrupt Request – 7, Input/Output range 0378-037B to correspond with VIPS port 1, range 03BF-03BF for VIPS port 2 and 0278-027B for VIPS port 3. Sometimes the Interrupt request is 5.

3. If there are 3 entries in the resources window, this is the problem. It means that your port is set to Enhanced mode. The only way to reset this to the standard mode required by VIPS is via the Setup facility – if you have one. If you do not have a standard setup facility, you will have to consult your manufacturers manual to see how this can be done. On booting your PC, there is an option on the first page to enter setup by pressing F1. Do this. On entering setup there should be a section labeled Integrated Peripherals. Selecting this should display the current settings for the parallel port. Troublesome laptops are normally set to Enhanced mode. To get things working, a setting such as ‘Compatible’ or ‘Standard’ should be set – the exact wording depends on the manufacturer. Exit the setup and reboot. VIPS should now work.

Q2 I have checked the ports but still nothing happens?
A2 The laptop may not be supplying enough power to the pod. Most laptops can drive at least 1 pod but if the pod is not working, check the voltage between the +5V pin and ground. If this is not close to +5V then power is the problem. if this is the problem. Desktop PC’s can easily supply 4 pods.

Q3 I have a single pod plugged into the parallel port. What position should this be in?
A Single pods are always in position 1. If you have a single VIPS20 and the initial screen comes up showing a VIPS20 in position 2, the pod will not work. Click on the Pod type button in position, select Pod Select from the drop down menu then click on VIPS20. On exit, the pod type will show VIPS20 and the pod will work.

Q4 I have set logging ON on the toolbar but nothing logs. What’s going on?
A4 Because there can be 4 pods and you may not want to log all 4, logging for each position must be enables separately. Click on the pod type button to get the drop down menu the click Log On/Off. If the pod is selected for logging, the word “Log” appears to the right of the pod type button. If you want your own name for the log file, click Log File and enter a 6 digit alphanumeric file name. VIPs automatically adds an edition number each time logging starts.

Q5 I am working with Win 3.1 and the software won’t work. Why not?
A5 You need to be using a compatible version of Win32S. Not all Win32S versions work. and we will send you a version we know that works and instructions of how to uninstall you old version.

Q6 I want to drive the pods from my own software. Where do I start?
A6 You need to use DLL – Dynamic Library Loading. There is a set of VIPS drivers in the VIPS.dll file. Examples of how to use these files can be downloaded from the download page. There is also a downloadable file that gives an assembly listing of each pod driver if you want to incorporate that into your program.

Q7 Can VInstrumentation systems be run on a NT, 2000 or XP machine?
A7 Yes and No.

Unlike Win3.1,95 and 98, these are pre-emptive operating systems which make it difficult to run real-time software on NT/2000/XP machines. However, by using a generalised driver (UserPort) we have made the VIPS programs run under NT/2000/XP. There are a few limitations at the high speed end of operations.

VICL (Virtual Control Laboratory) does work under NT and 2000 provided the sample time is 10mS or greater. This involved adding an additional driver to your system that overrides NT security and allows access to the parallel ports.

If you are writing your own software and do not require a sample interval of less than 1mS, UserPort will allow you to do this. With this additional driver running, all VIPS dll and assembler drivers will work on NT like machines.

Q8 Can the VIPS T100 module or VIPod101/T be used to measure voltage?
A8 Yes. With the T100, the full scale range is limited, the sample rate is low and universal thermocouple connectors are required. Select Setup from the position dropdown menu then choose mV instead of a temperature range.

The T100 has been replaced with the VIPod101/T. The VIP101 is a 24bit sigma-delta convertor with 8 single-ended channels. Adding the VIThrm connector converts the VIPS101 to the equivalent of a T100. The VIPod101 can be used without the VIThrm connectors to measure 8 differential signals.