National Instruments GPIB-PCII User manual

© Copyright 1990, 1994 National Instruments Corporation.
All Rights Reserved.
Getting Started with Your
GPIB-PCII/IIA and
the NI-488.2™Software
for MS-DOS/Windows Graphics
Applications
October 1994 Edition
Part Number 320269B-01

National Instruments Corporate Headquarters
6504 Bridge Point Parkway
Austin, TX 78730-5039
[phone]
Technical support fax: [phone]
[phone]
Branch Offices:
Australia [phone], Austria [phone], Belgium 02/757.00.20,
Canada (Ontario) [phone], Canada (Québec) [phone],
Denmark 45 76 26 00, Finland (90) 527 2321, France (1) 48 14 24 24,
Germany 089/741 31 30, Italy 02/48301892, Japan [phone],
Mexico 95 800 010 0793, Netherlands 03480-33466, Norway 32-84 84 00,
Singapore 2265886, Spain (91) 640 0085, Sweden 08-730 49 70,
Switzerland 056/20 51 51, Taiwan 02 377 1200, U.K. 0635 523545

Limited Warranty
The GPIB-PCII/IIA is warranted against defects in materials and
workmanship for a period of two years from the date of shipment, as
evidenced by receipts or other documentation. National Instruments will, at
its option, repair or replace equipment that proves to be defective during the
warranty period. This warranty includes parts and labor.
The media on which you receive National Instruments software are
warranted not to fail to execute programming instructions, due to defects in
materials and workmanship, for a period of 90 days from date of shipment,
as evidenced by receipts or other documentation. National Instruments will,
at its option, repair or replace software media that do not execute
programming instructions if National Instruments receives notice of such
defects during the warranty period. National Instruments does not warrant
that the operation of the software shall be uninterrupted or error free.
A Return Material Authorization (RMA) number must be obtained from the
factory and clearly marked on the outside of the package before any
equipment will be accepted for warranty work. National Instruments will
pay the shipping costs of returning to the owner parts which are covered by
warranty.
National Instruments believes that the information in this manual is
accurate. The document has been carefully reviewed for technical accuracy.
In the event that technical or typographical errors exist, National
Instruments reserves the right to make changes to subsequent editions of
this document without prior notice to holders of this edition. The reader
should consult National Instruments if errors are suspected. In no event
shall National Instruments be liable for any damages arising out of or
related to this document or the information contained in it.
EXCEPT AS SPECIFIED HEREIN, NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS MAKES NO
WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS
ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE. CUSTOMER'S RIGHT TO RECOVER DAMAGES
CAUSED BY FAULT OR NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF NATIONAL
INSTRUMENTS SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE AMOUNT THERETOFORE
PAID BY THE CUSTOMER. NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS WILL NOT BE
LIABLE FOR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM LOSS OF DATA, PROFITS,
USE OF PRODUCTS, OR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES,
EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY THEREOF. This limitation of the
liability of National Instruments will apply regardless of the form of action,

whether in contract or tort, including negligence. Any action against
National Instrument must be brought within one year after the cause of
action accrues. National Instruments shall not be liable for any delay in
performance due to causes beyond its reasonable control. The warranty
provided herein does not cover damages, defects, malfunctions, or service
failures caused by owner's failure to follow the National Instruments
installation, operation, or maintenance instructions; owner's modification of
the product; owner's abuse, misuse, or negligent acts; and power failure or
surges, fire, flood, accident, actions of third parties, or other events outside
reasonable control.
Copyright
Under the copyright laws, this book may not be copied, photocopied,
reproduced, or translated, in whole or in part, without the prior written
consent of National Instruments Corporation.
Trademarks
NAT4882®and NI-488.2™are trademarks of National Instruments
Corporation.
Product and company names listed are trademarks or trade names of their
respective companies.
WARNING REGARDING MEDICAL AND
CLINICAL USE OF NATIONAL
INSTRUMENTS PRODUCTS
National Instruments products are not designed with components and testing
intended to ensure a level of reliability suitable for use in treatment and
diagnosis of humans. Applications of National Instruments products
involving medical or clinical treatment can create a potential for accidental
injury caused by product failure, or by errors on the part of the user or
application designer. Any use or application of National Instruments
products for or involving medical or clinical treatment must be performed by
properly trained and qualified medical personnel, and all traditional medical
safeguards, equipment, and procedures that are appropriate in the particular
situation to prevent serious injury or death should always continue to be
used when National Instruments products are being used. National
Instruments products are NOT intended to be a substitute for any form of
established process, procedure, or equipment used to monitor or safeguard
human health and safety in medical or clinical treatment.

FCC/DOC Radio Frequency
Interference Compliance
This equipment generates and uses radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in strict accordance with the instructions in this manual,
may cause interference to radio and television reception. This equipment
has been tested and found to comply with the following two regulatory
agencies:
Federal Communications Commission
This device complies with Part 15 of the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) Rules for a Class B digital device. A Class B device is
distinguishable from a Class A device by the appearance of an FCC ID
number located on the Class B device.
Canadian Department of Communications
This device complies with the limits for radio noise emissions from digital
apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the Canadian
Department of Communications (DOC).
Le présent appareil numérique n’émet pas de bruits radioélectriques
dépassant les limites applicables aux appareils numériques de classe B
prescrites dans le règlement sur le brouillage radioélectrique édicté par le
ministère des communications du Canada.
Instructions to Users
These regulations are designed to provide reasonable protection against
interference from the equipment to radio and television reception in
residential areas.
There is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation. However, the chances of interference are much less if the
equipment is installed and used according to this instruction manual.

If the equipment does cause interference to radio or television reception,
which can be determined by turning the equipment on and off, one or more
of the following suggestions may reduce or eliminate the problem.
• Operate the equipment and the receiver on different branches of your
AC electrical system.
• Move the equipment away from the receiver with which it is interfering.
• Reorient or relocate the receiver’s antenna.
• Be sure that the equipment is plugged into a grounded outlet and that
the grounding has not been defeated with a cheater plug.
Notice to user: Changes or modifications not expressly approved by
National Instruments could void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment under the FCC Rules.
If necessary, consult National Instruments or an experienced radio/television
technician for additional suggestions. The following booklet prepared by
the FCC may also be helpful: How to Identify and Resolve Radio-TV
Interference Problems. This booklet is available from the U.S. Government
Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402, Stock Number 004-000-00345-4.

© National Instruments Corp. ix GPIB-PCII/IIA for Graphics
Contents
About This Manual ..........................................................................xiii
Organization of This Manual......................................................xiii
Conventions Used in This Manual.............................................xiv
Related Documentation ..............................................................xv
Customer Communication..........................................................xv
Chapter 1
Introduction and Hardware Installation.................................1-1
What You Need to Get Started...................................................1-1
Optional Equipment....................................................................1-2
Hardware Description.................................................................1-2
Software Description..................................................................1-3
Installing the GPIB-PCII/IIA .....................................................1-3
Chapter 2
NI-488.2 Software Files...................................................................2-1
NI-488.2 Software Programs and Files for MS-DOS.................2-1
NI-488.2 Software Programs and Files for Windows ...............2-2
Chapter 3
Software Installation .......................................................................3-1
Installing the NI-488.2 Software for MS-DOS...........................3-1
Step 1. Run INSTALL...............................................3-1
Step 2. Test the Software Installation ........................3-2
Installing the NI-488.2 Software for Windows ..........................3-3
Step 1. Run INSTALL...............................................3-3
Step 2. Set Up the Windows Applications.................3-4
Step 3. Test the Software Installation ........................3-5
Appendix A
Hardware Specifications................................................................A-1
Appendix B
Changing Board and Device Characteristics.........................B-1
Board and Device Characteristics...............................................B-1
Characteristics of the Graphics Devices.......................B-1
Characteristics of Each GPIB-PCII/IIA ......................B-2

Contents
GPIB-PCII/IIA for Graphics x © National Instruments Corp.
Default Configurations...............................................................B-2
Primary Default Characteristics...................................B-3
Repeat Addressing (Device Characteristic Only) ........B-4
Changing Board and Device Characteristics..............................B-4
Changing Characteristics for MS-DOS........................B-4
Running IBCONF..........................................B-4
Changing Characteristics for Windows .......................B-5
Running WIBCONF ......................................B-5
Appendix C
Hardware and Software Configuration...................................C-1
Verifying the GPIC-PC Mode Setting........................................C-2
Verifying the Hardware Configuration Settings.........................C-3
Changing Hardware Configuration Settings...............................C-4
Step 1. Configure the Hardware.................................C-4
Base I/O Address Selection...........................C-4
GPIC-PCII Mode.............................C-5
GPIC-PCIIA Mode..........................C-7
Possible Conflicts............................C-9
Interrupt Selection .........................................C-11
Shared Interrupts in GPIC-PCIIA
Mode................................................C-12
Possible Conflicts............................C-16
DMA Channel Selection................................C-17
Possible Conflicts............................C-19
Shield Ground Configuration.........................C-19
Step 2. Run the IBDIAG Diagnostic Program...........C-20
Step 3. Configure the Software..................................C-20
Configuring the Software for MS-DOS.........C-21
Configuring the Software for Windows.........C-22
Appendix D
Interactive Software Installation................................................D-1
INSTALL for MS-DOS..............................................................D-1
Installing the Software for MS-DOS ...........................D-2
Running IBDIAG for MS-DOS...................................D-3
Exiting INSTALL ........................................................D-3
INSTALL for Windows .............................................................D-4
Installing the Software for Windows ...........................D-4
Running IBDIAG for Windows...................................D-5
Exiting INSTALL ........................................................D-5

Contents
© National Instruments Corp. xi GPIB-PCII/IIA for Graphics
Appendix E
Customer Communication............................................................E-1
Glossary.................................................................................................G-1
Figures
Figure 1-1. Installing the GPIB-PCII/IIA...........................................1-4
Figure C-1. GPIC-PCII/IIA Parts Locator Diagram...........................C-1
Figure C-2. GPIC-PC Mode Selection Settings..................................C-2
Figure C-3. Base I/O Address Switch Settings for GPIC-PCII
Mode................................................................................C-6
Figure C-4. Base I/O Address Switch Settings for GPIC-PCIIA
Mode................................................................................C-7
Figure C-5. Default Interrupt Jumper Setting for GPIC-PCII Mode ..C-12
Figure C-6. Default Interrupt Jumper Setting for GPIC-PCIIA
Mode................................................................................C-13
Figure C-7. Interrupt Jumper Settings for GPIC-PCIIA Mode...........C-14
Figure C-8. DMA Channel Jumper Setting for DMA Channel 1.......C-18
Figure C-9. Ground Configuration Jumper Settings...........................C-20
Tables
Table A-1. Electrical Characteristics.................................................A-1
Table A-2. Environmental Characteristics.........................................A-1
Table A-3. Physical Characteristics...................................................A-2
Table C-1. Factory Default Settings and Available Configurations
for GPIC-PCII Mode .......................................................C-3
Table C-2. Factory Default Settings and Available Configurations
for GPIC-PCIIA Mode.....................................................C-3
Table C-3. I/O Addresses Used by Other Devices.............................C-10
Table C-4. Interrupt Levels Used by Other Devices .........................C-16
Table C-5. DMA Channels for the GPIC-PCII/IIA...........................C-18

© National Instruments Corp. xiii GPIB-PCII/IIA for Graphics
About This Manual
This manual contains instructions for installing and configuring the
National Instruments GPIB-PCII/IIA interface board and the NI-488.2
software handler for MS-DOS/Windows graphics applications.
Organization of This Manual
This manual is organized as follows:
• Chapter 1, Introduction and Hardware Installation, lists what you need
to get started and optional equipment you can order, gives a brief
description of the hardware and the NI-488.2 software, and contains
instructions for installing your GPIB-PCII/IIA.
• Chapter 2, NI-488.2 Software Files, describes the software files
contained on your NI-488.2 distribution diskette.
• Chapter 3, Software Installation, contains instructions for installing the
NI-488.2 software files.
• Appendix A, Hardware Specifications, describes the electrical,
environmental, and physical characteristics of the GPIB-PCII/IIA and
the recommended operating conditions.
• Appendix B, Changing Board and Device Characteristics, contains
instructions for changing the default board and device characteristics of
the NI-488.2 handler for MS-DOS/Windows.
• Appendix C, Hardware and Software Configuration,contains
instructions for changing the configuration settings of your
GPIB-PCII/IIA.
• Appendix D, Interactive Software Installation, contains instructions for
running the interactive version of INSTALL.
• Appendix E, Customer Communication, contains forms you can use to
request help from National Instruments or to comment on our products
and manuals.

About This Manual
GPIB-PCII/IIA for Graphics xiv © National Instruments Corp.
• The Glossary contains an alphabetical list and description of terms used
in this manual, including abbreviations, acronyms, metric prefixes,
mnemonics, and symbols.
Conventions Used in This Manual
Throughout this manual, the following conventions are used to distinguish
elements of text:
bold Bold text denotes menus, menu items, dialog
buttons, or options.
italic Italic text denotes emphasis, a cross reference, or
an introduction to a key concept.
bold italic Bold italic text denotes a note, caution, or
warning.
monospace Text in this font denotes text or characters that
are to be literally input from the keyboard,
sections of code, programming examples, and
syntax examples. This font is also used for the
proper names of disk drives, paths, directories,
programs, subprograms, subroutines, device
names, functions, variables, filenames, and
extensions, and for statements and comments
taken from program code.
italic monospace Italic text in this font denotes that you must
supply the appropriate words or values in the
place of these items.
<> Angle brackets enclose the name of a key on the
keyboard—for example, <Ctrl>.
- A hyphen between two or more key names
enclosed in angle brackets denotes that you
should simultaneously press the named keys—
for example, <Ctrl-Alt-Del>.
<Shift> Key names are capitalized.

About This Manual
© National Instruments Corp. xv GPIB-PCII/IIA for Graphics
Enter Enter is reserved to mean that the commands
immediately succeeding the word must be typed
into the computer, and then executed by pressing
the <Enter> key on the keyboard.
IEEE 488 and IEEE 488 and IEEE 488.2 refer to the
IEEE 488.2 ANSI/IEEE Standard 488.1-1987 and the
ANSI/IEEE Standard 488.2-1987, respectively,
which define the GPIB.
Abbreviations, acronyms, metric prefixes, mnemonics, symbols, and terms
are listed in the Glossary.
Related Documentation
The following documents contain information that you may find helpful as
you read this manual.
• ANSI/IEEE Standard 488.1-1987, IEEE Standard Digital Interface for
Programmable Instrumentation
• ANSI/IEEE Standard 488.2-1987, IEEE Standard Codes, Formats,
Protocols, and Common Commands
•Microsoft MS-DOS User's Guide, Microsoft Corporation
•Microsoft Windows User's Guide, Microsoft Corporation
Customer Communication
National Instruments wants to receive your comments on our products and
manuals. We are interested in the applications you develop with our
products, and we want to help if you have problems with them. To make it
easy for you to contact us, this manual contains comment and configuration
forms for you to complete. These forms are in Appendix E, Customer
Communication, at the end of this manual.

© National Instruments Corp. 1-1 GPIB-PCII/IIA for Graphics
Chapter 1
Introduction and Hardware
Installation
This chapter lists what you need to get started and optional equipment you
can order, gives a brief description of the hardware and the NI-488.2
software, and contains instructions for installing your GPIB-PCII/IIA.
What You Need to Get Started
GPIB-PCII/IIA interface board set for one of the following modes:
GPIB-PCIIA
or
GPIB-PCII
3.5 in. NI-488.2 Distribution Diskette for Graphics Applications
MS-DOS/Windows
One of the following operating systems installed on your computer:
MS-DOS version 3.0 or higher (or equivalent)
or
Windows version 3.1 or higher

Introduction and Hardware Installation Chapter 1
GPIB-PCII/IIA for Graphics 1-2 © National Instruments Corp.
Optional Equipment
You can contact National Instruments to order any of the following optional
equipment.
• GPIB Bus Extenders
Parallel – 100 to 120 VAC
Parallel – 220 to 240 VAC
Fiber-optic – 100 to 120 VAC
Fiber-optic – 220 to 240 VAC
Coaxial – 100 to 120 VAC
Coaxial – 220 to 240 VAC
• GPIB Connector Extender
• GPIB-SWITCH Box
• Shielded GPIB Cables*
Type X1 single-shielded cables (1 m, 2 m, or 4 m)
Type X2 double-shielded cables (1 m, 2 m, or 4 m)
* To meet FCC emission limits for this Class B device, you must use a
shielded (Type X1 or X2) GPIB cable. Operating this equipment with
a non-shielded cable may cause interference to radio and television
reception in residential areas.
Hardware Description
The GPIB-PCII/IIA interface board combines the functionality of the
National Instruments GPIB-PCII and GPIB-PCIIA interface boards. It can
be configured to function as either a GPIB-PCII or a GPIB-PCIIA,
depending on the setting of the configuration switches on the board. To
verify the GPIB-PC mode setting of your board, refer to Verifying the
GPIB-PC Mode Setting in Appendix C, Hardware and Software
Configuration, later in this manual.
The GPIB-PCII/IIA, equipped with the NAT4882 ASIC, transforms any
IBM PC, PC/XT, PC AT, or compatible computer into a full-functioning
IEEE 488.2 Talker/Listener/Controller. The NAT4882 controller chip is
fully compatible with the IEEE 488.2 standard.

Chapter 1 Introduction and Hardware Installation
© National Instruments Corp. 1-3 GPIB-PCII/IIA for Graphics
You can use standard GPIB cables to connect the GPIB-PCII/IIA with up to
14 instruments. If you want to use more instruments, you can order a bus
extender or expander from National Instruments. Refer to Appendix A,
Hardware Specifications, for more information about the GPIB-PCII/IIA
hardware specifications and recommended operating conditions.
Software Description
Your kit includes NI-488.2 software, which National Instruments has
developed for use with the GPIB-PCII/IIA. The NI-488.2 software and
the GPIB hardware transform a general-purpose PC into a GPIB
Talker/Listener/Controller that has complete communications and bus
management capability. Your kit includes the NI-488.2 software for
MS-DOS and for Windows.
Installing the GPIB-PCII/IIA
Warning: Several components on your GPIB-PCII/IIA board can be
damaged by electrostatic discharge. To avoid such damage
in handling the board, touch the antistatic plastic package to
a metal part of your computer chassis before removing the
board from the package.
Perform the following steps to install the GPIB-PCII/IIA:
1. Turn off your computer and all external devices, such as monitors or
tape drives.
2. Unplug the power cord from the wall outlet.
3. Remove the top cover or access port of the I/O channel.
4. Remove the expansion slot cover on the back panel of the computer.
5. Insert the GPIB-PCII/IIA into any unused slot with the GPIB
connector sticking out of the opening on the back panel, as shown in
Figure 1-1. It might be a tight fit, but do not force the board into place.

Introduction and Hardware Installation Chapter 1
GPIB-PCII/IIA for Graphics 1-4 © National Instruments Corp.
1
3
2
1 GPIB-PCII/IIA board
2 Back panel
3 PC AT plug-in board
Figure 1-1. Installing the GPIB-PCII/IIA
6. Screw the mounting bracket of the GPIB-PCII/IIA to the back panel rail of
the computer.
7. Verify that the GPIB-PCII/IIA is securely installed.
8. Replace the retaining screw of the expansion slot cover if there is one.
9. Replace the cover on the computer.
10. Plug the power cord into the wall outlet.
11. Turn on your computer and external devices.
The GPIB-PCII/IIA interface board is now installed.
Note: Do not attach the GPIB cable to the extension receptacle on the
board until after you run the hardware and software diagnostic
programs, IBDIAG and IBTEST, which are explained in
Chapter 3, Software Installation. These programs may not
function properly if the GPIB cable is attached.

© National Instruments Corp. 2-1 GPIB-PCII/IIA for Graphics
Chapter 2
NI-488.2 Software Files
This chapter describes the software files contained on your NI-488.2
distribution diskette.
If you are using the NI-488.2 software for Windows, skip to NI-488.2
Software Programs and Files for Windows,later in this chapter. If you are
using the NI-488.2 software for MS-DOS, proceed with the next section,
NI-488.2 Software Programs and Files for MS-DOS.
NI-488.2 Software Programs and Files for
MS-DOS
The NI-488.2 software for MS-DOS contains the following programs and
files.
•GPIB.COM is the NI-488.2 software handler file that is loaded at
system startup by DOS. Handler is a term used by National
Instruments to refer to a loadable device driver.
•IBDIAG.EXE is a program that tests the hardware installation. After
the handler is installed, IBTEST.BAT confirms that both the software
and hardware are installed and functioning properly.
•INSTALL.EXE is a multipurpose, menu-driven program that installs
the NI-488.2 software and tests the hardware and software
configuration. When INSTALL.EXE installs the NI-488.2 software, it
updates CONFIG.SYS, the MS-DOS system configuration file.
•IBTEST.EXE is a program that tests the installation of the NI-488.2
software.
•IBCONF.EXE is a software configuration program that changes the
configuration parameters of the NI-488.2 software handler.

NI-488.2 Software Files Chapter 2
GPIB-PCII/IIA for Graphics 2-2 © National Instruments Corp.
•IBIC.EXE is an interactive control program that executes GPIB
functions you enter from the keyboard. It helps you establish
communication between your computer and your graphics device.
•README.DOC is a Readme file that discusses the NI-488.2 handler.
After you have reviewed all the programs and files on your distribution
diskette, skip to Chapter 3, Software Installation.
NI-488.2 Software Programs and Files for
Windows
The NI-488.2 software for Windows contains the following programs and
files.
•GPIB.DLL is a dynamic link library that is accessed by a Windows
GPIB application as it executes. It contains all of the GPIB functions.
•GPIB.INI is the private profile file that GPIB.DLL uses to determine
the software configuration parameters for each GPIB board and device
in the system. You can modify it by using either the WIBCONF.EXE
program or a text editor.
•WIBCONF.EXE, an MS-DOS application, is a software configuration
program that you can use to change the software parameters and other
data used by the handler. It operates in much the same way as the
GPIB MS-DOS configuration program, IBCONF.
•WIBCONF.PIF contains configuration information about the program
WIBCONF.EXE that is used by Windows when it is executed.
•IBDIAG.EXE, a DOS application, is a program that tests the hardware
settings on your GPIB board. It ensures that the board is properly
installed and that the hardware is accessible.
•IBDIAG.PIF contains configuration information about the program
IBDIAG.EXE that is used by Windows when it is executed.

Chapter 2 NI-488.2 Software Files
© National Instruments Corp. 2-3 GPIB-PCII/IIA for Graphics
•WIBTEST.EXE, a Windows application, can be used to test the
software handler. It verifies that the software configuration is
consistent with the GPIB hardware.
•WIBIC.EXE, a Windows application, is the Windows Interface Bus
Interactive Control program that executes GPIB functions that you
enter from the keyboard. It can be used to establish communication
between your computer and your graphics device.
After you have reviewed all the programs and files on your distribution
diskette, proceed to Chapter 3, Software Installation.

© National Instruments Corp. 3-1 GPIB-PCII/IIA for Graphics
Chapter 3
Software Installation
This chapter contains instructions for installing the NI-488.2 software files.
If you are using the NI-488.2 software for Windows, skip to the Installing
the NI-488.2 Software for Windows section later in this chapter. If you are
using the NI-488.2 software for MS-DOS, proceed with the following
section, Installing the NI-488.2 Software for MS-DOS.
Installing the NI-488.2 Software for MS-DOS
Follow these steps to install the NI-488.2 software for MS-DOS applications.
Note: You must have approximately 300 kilobytes of free disk space to
install the NI-488.2 software files.
Step 1. Run INSTALL
The quick version of the INSTALL program creates a directory,
C:\GPIB-PC, and copies the NI-488.2 software files to that directory.
Note: If you want to change the default file names and installation
settings of the INSTALL program, refer to Appendix C,
Interactive Software Installation, for information on running the
interactive version of INSTALL.
Complete the following steps to run the quick version of INSTALL.
1. Insert the NI-488.2 distribution diskette into an unused drive.
2. Install the software by entering the following command:
x : install/q