National Instruments VXIpc 770 Series User manual

VXI
VXIpcTM 770/870B Series
User Manual (Online Version)
VXIpc 770/870B Series User Manual (Online Version)
March 2002 Edition
Part Number 370381A-01

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For further support information, see the Technical Support and Professional Services appendix. To comment on
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©2002 National Instruments Corporation. All rights reserved.

Important Information
Warranty
The VXIpc-770 and VXIpc 870B Series embedded VXI computers are warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of
one year 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 document 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 Instruments 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 publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,
recording, storing in an information retrieval system, or translating, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of National
Instruments Corporation.
Trademarks
CVI™,LabVIEW
™,MITE ™, National Instruments™,NI ™, NI-488.2™, NI-488.2M™,ni.com ™, NI-DAQ™, NI-VISA™, NI-VXI™,andVXIpc ™
are trademarks of National Instruments Corporation.
Product and company names mentioned herein are trademarks or trade names of their respective companies.
Patents
For patents covering National Instruments products, refer to the appropriate location: Help»Patents in your software, the patents.txt file
on your CD, or ni.com/patents.
WARNING REGARDING USE OF NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS PRODUCTS
(1) NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS PRODUCTS ARE NOT DESIGNED WITH COMPONENTS AND TESTING FOR A LEVEL OF
RELIABILITY SUITABLE FOR USE IN OR IN CONNECTION WITH SURGICAL IMPLANTS OR AS CRITICAL COMPONENTS IN
ANY LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS WHOSE FAILURE TO PERFORM CAN REASONABLY BE EXPECTED TO CAUSE SIGNIFICANT
INJURY TO A HUMAN.
(2) IN ANY APPLICATION, INCLUDING THE ABOVE, RELIABILITY OF OPERATION OF THE SOFTWARE PRODUCTS CAN BE
IMPAIRED BY ADVERSE FACTORS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO FLUCTUATIONS IN ELECTRICAL POWER SUPPLY,
COMPUTER HARDWARE MALFUNCTIONS, COMPUTER OPERATING SYSTEM SOFTWARE FITNESS, FITNESS OF COMPILERS
AND DEVELOPMENT SOFTWARE USED TO DEVELOP AN APPLICATION, INSTALLATION ERRORS, SOFTWARE AND
HARDWARE COMPATIBILITY PROBLEMS, MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES OF ELECTRONIC MONITORING OR CONTROL
DEVICES, TRANSIENT FAILURES OF ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS (HARDWARE AND/OR SOFTWARE), UNANTICIPATED USES OR
MISUSES, OR ERRORS ON THE PART OF THE USER OR APPLICATIONS DESIGNER (ADVERSE FACTORS SUCH AS THESE ARE
HEREAFTER COLLECTIVELY TERMED “SYSTEM FAILURES”). ANY APPLICATION WHERE A SYSTEM FAILURE WOULD
CREATE A RISK OF HARM TO PROPERTY OR PERSONS (INCLUDING THE RISK OF BODILY INJURY AND DEATH) SHOULD
NOT BE RELIANT SOLELY UPON ONE FORM OF ELECTRONIC SYSTEM DUE TO THE RISK OF SYSTEM FAILURE. TO AVOID
DAMAGE, INJURY, OR DEATH, THE USER OR APPLICATION DESIGNER MUST TAKE REASONABLY PRUDENT STEPS TO
PROTECT AGAINST SYSTEM FAILURES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO BACK-UP OR SHUT DOWN MECHANISMS.
BECAUSE EACH END-USER SYSTEM IS CUSTOMIZED AND DIFFERS FROM NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS' TESTING
PLATFORMS AND BECAUSE A USER OR APPLICATION DESIGNER MAY USE NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS PRODUCTS IN
COMBINATION WITH OTHER PRODUCTS IN A MANNER NOT EVALUATED OR CONTEMPLATED BY NATIONAL
INSTRUMENTS, THE USER OR APPLICATION DESIGNER IS ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE FOR VERIFYING AND VALIDATING
THE SUITABILITY OF NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS PRODUCTS WHENEVER NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS PRODUCTS ARE
INCORPORATED IN A SYSTEM OR APPLICATION, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE APPROPRIATE DESIGN,
PROCESS AND SAFETY LEVEL OF SUCH SYSTEM OR APPLICATION.

Compliance
FCC/Canada Radio Frequency Interference Compliance*
Determining FCC Class
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has rules to protect wireless communications from interference. The FCC
places digital electronics into two classes. These classes are known as Class A (for use in industrial-commercial locations only)
or Class B (for use in residential or commercial locations). Depending on where it is operated, this product could be subject to
restrictions in the FCC rules. (In Canada, the Department of Communications (DOC), of Industry Canada, regulates wireless
interference in much the same way.)
Digital electronics emit weak signals during normal operation that can affect radio, television, or other wireless products. By
examining the product you purchased, you can determine the FCC Class and therefore which of the two FCC/DOC Warnings
apply in the following sections. (Some products may not be labeled at all for FCC; if so, the reader should then assume these are
Class A devices.)
FCC Class A products only display a simple warning statement of one paragraph in length regarding interference and undesired
operation. Most of our products are FCC Class A. The FCC rules have restrictions regarding the locations where FCC Class A
products can be operated.
FCC Class B products display either a FCC ID code, starting with the letters EXN,
or the FCC Class B compliance mark that appears as shown here on the right.
Consult the FCC Web site at http://www.fcc.gov for more information.
FCC/DOC Warnings
This equipment generates and uses radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in strict accordance with the instructions
in this manual and the CE Mark Declaration of Conformity**, may cause interference to radio and television reception.
Classification requirements are the same for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Canadian Department
of Communications (DOC).
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by National Instruments could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment under the FCC Rules.
Class A
Federal Communications Commission
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC
Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated
in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and
used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this
equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be required to correct
the interference at his own expense.
Canadian Department of Communications
This Class A digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe A respecte toutes les exigences du Règlement sur le matériel brouilleur du Canada.
Class B
Federal Communications Commission
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the
FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not
occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can
be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of
the following measures:
•Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
•Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
•Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
•Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Canadian Department of Communications
This Class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B respecte toutes les exigences du Règlement sur le matériel brouilleur du Canada.
Compliance to EU Directives
Readers in the European Union (EU) must refer to the Manufacturer’s Declaration of Conformity (DoC) for information**
pertaining to the CE Mark compliance scheme. The Manufacturer includes a DoC for most every hardware product except for
those bought for OEMs, if also available from an original manufacturer that also markets in the EU, or where compliance is not
required as for electrically benign apparatus or cables.
To obtain the DoC for this product, click Declaration of Conformity at ni.com/hardref.nsf/. This Web site lists the DoCs
by product family. Select the appropriate product family, followed by your product, and a link to the DoC appears in Adobe
Acrobat format. Click the Acrobat icon to download or read the DoC.
* Certain exemptions may apply in the USA, see FCC Rules §15.103 Exempted devices,and§15.105(c). Also available in
sections of CFR 47.
** The CE Mark Declaration of Conformity will contain important supplementary information and instructions for the user or
installer.

©National Instruments Corporation vii VXIpc 770/870B Series User Manual (Online Version)
Contents
About This Manual
How to Use the Documentation Set...............................................................................xi
Conventions ...................................................................................................................xi
Related Documentation..................................................................................................xii
Chapter 1
Introduction
VXIpc 770/870B Series Overview ................................................................................1-1
Description ......................................................................................................1-1
Modules ...........................................................................................................1-1
VXIpc 770/870B Series Functional Block Diagram .......................................1-2
VXIpc 770/870B Series Functional Description.............................................1-3
National Instruments Software ......................................................................................1-4
Chapter 2
Installation
Installing the VXIpc 770/870B Series ...........................................................................2-1
How to Remove the Controller from the VXI Chassis....................................2-3
Removing the VXIpc 770/870B Series Component Side Cover...................................2-4
Installing and Upgrading RAM .....................................................................................2-4
Installing a PCI Card (VXIpc-872B Only) ....................................................................2-5
Installing and Removing the Internal Hard Drive .........................................................2-5
Chapter 3
Configuration and Default Settings
Hardware Default Settings.............................................................................................3-1
System CMOS.................................................................................................3-2
SCSI Termination............................................................................................3-3
Hard Drive Jumper ..........................................................................................3-3
Slot 0 Detection/System Controller.................................................................3-4
MITE EEPROM ..............................................................................................3-5
Power-On Self Configuration ...........................................................3-5
User/Factory Configuration ..............................................................3-5
How to Fix an Invalid EEPROM Configuration...............................3-6
CLK10 Source Routing and Termination........................................................3-7

Contents
VXIpc 770/870B Series User Manual (Online Version) viii ni.com
BIOS Configuration....................................................................................................... 3-8
Entering BIOS Setup....................................................................................... 3-8
Main Setup Menu............................................................................................ 3-9
DMI Event Logging Submenu ......................................................... 3-9
Advanced Setup Menu .................................................................................... 3-10
Integrated Peripherals Submenu ....................................................... 3-11
Security Setup Menu....................................................................................... 3-12
Boot Setup Menu ............................................................................................ 3-13
Exiting BIOS Setup......................................................................................... 3-13
Software Configuration ................................................................................................. 3-14
Measurement and Automation Explorer (MAX) ............................................ 3-14
Default MAX Settings ...................................................................... 3-14
VXI-MXI-2 Default Settings............................................................ 3-17
PCI-MXI-2 Default Settings............................................................. 3-19
Front Panel SMB ExtClk Setup ...................................................................... 3-20
Front Panel SMB TRGIN/TRGOUT .............................................................. 3-21
Watchdog Timer ............................................................................................. 3-21
Chapter 4
Developing Your Application
NI-VXI, NI-VISA, and Related Terms ......................................................................... 4-1
Configuration................................................................................................................. 4-2
Device Interaction ......................................................................................................... 4-3
Programming for VXI ................................................................................................... 4-6
Optimizing Large VXIbus Transfers .............................................................. 4-7
Shared Memory............................................................................................... 4-8
NI-VXI API Notes .......................................................................................... 4-8
Compiler Symbols ............................................................................ 4-8
Compatibility Layer Options ............................................................ 4-8
Debugging ..................................................................................................................... 4-9
Chapter 5
I/O Information
Front Panel Connectors ................................................................................................. 5-1
VGA ................................................................................................................ 5-3
COM1 and COM2........................................................................................... 5-5
Ethernet ........................................................................................................... 5-6
Parallel Port..................................................................................................... 5-8
Universal Serial Bus........................................................................................ 5-10
PS/2 ................................................................................................................. 5-11
SMB TRGIN/OUT and EXTCLK .................................................................. 5-12

Contents
©National Instruments Corporation ix VXIpc 770/870B Series User Manual (Online Version)
GPIB (IEEE 488.2)..........................................................................................5-13
SCSI.................................................................................................................5-15
Front Panel Features ......................................................................................................5-16
Data Storage...................................................................................................................5-17
Chapter 6
Common Questions and Troubleshooting
General Questions..........................................................................................................6-1
Operating System, Drivers, and Software .....................................................................6-1
Boot Options ..................................................................................................................6-4
Hard Drive Recovery .....................................................................................................6-4
Installing an OS .............................................................................................................6-7
Installing from a CD-ROM .............................................................................6-7
Installing from a Network ...............................................................................6-8
Cables, Optional Hardware, and Main Power Fuse.......................................................6-8
Troubleshooting .............................................................................................................6-10
Appendix A
Specifications
Appendix B
Modifying and Installing I/O Expansion Boards
Appendix C
Technical Support and Professional Services
Glossary
Index

©National Instruments Corporation xi VXIpc 770/870B Series User Manual (Online Version)
About This Manual
This manual contains detailed instructions for installing and
configuring your National Instruments VXIpc-770 or VXIpc 870B Series
embedded computer kit.
How to Use the Documentation Set
BeginbyreadingVXIpc 770/870B Series Installation and Troubleshooting,
a brief quick-start guide that describes how to install and get started with
your controller.
This manual, the VXIpc 770/870B Series User Manual (Online Version),
contains more details about changing the installation or configuration from
the defaults and using the hardware.
Conventions
The following conventions appear in this manual:
This icon denotes a note, which alerts you to important information.
This icon denotes a caution, which advises you of precautions to take to
avoid injury, data loss, or a system crash.
bold Bold text denotes items that you must select or click on in the software,
such as menu items and dialog box options. Bold text also denotes
parameter names.
italic Italic text denotes variables, emphasis, a cross reference, or an introduction
to a key concept. This font also denotes text that is a placeholder for a word
or value that you must supply.
monospace Text in this font denotes text or characters that you should enter 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, operations,
variables, filenames and extensions, and code excerpts.

About This Manual
VXIpc 770/870B Series User Manual (Online Version) xii ni.com
monospace bold Bold text in this font denotes the messages and responses that the computer
automatically prints to the screen. This font also emphasizes lines of code
that are different from the other examples.
VXIpc 770/870B series The terms VXIpc 770/870B Series refers to the VXIpc-770, VXIpc-871B,
and VXIpc-872B controllers, where the information applies to all
controllers.
Related Documentation
The following documents contain information you may find helpful as you
read this manual:
•ANSI/IEEE Standard 1014-1987, IEEE Standard for a Versatile
Backplane Bus: VMEbus
•ANSI/IEEE Standard 1155-1998, IEEE VMEbus Extensions for
Instrumentation: VXIbus
•ANSI/VITA 1-1994, VME64
•VXI-6, VXIbus Mainframe Extender Specification,Rev.2.0,
VXIbus Consortium
• NI-VISA User Manual
• NI-VISA Programmer Reference Manual

©National Instruments Corporation 1-1 VXIpc 770/870B Series User Manual (Online Version)
1
Introduction
VXIpc 770/870B Series Overview
Description
The VXIpc 770/870B Series embedded computers are high-performance
C-size VXIbus system controllers. Both series controllers use off-the-shelf
Intel PC technologies to bring you powerful VXI system control in a
familiar PC environment. Using state-of-the-art packaging, the VXIpc-770
provides flexible single-slot control for your instrumentation needs, while
the VXIpc 870B Series provides powerful control in a two-slot
configuration.
Install either of these VXIpc controllers in your VXI mainframe, and you
can take full advantage of the high-performance VXI backplane and have
direct control of VXI registers, memory, interrupts, and triggers.
The VXIpc 770/870B Series computers are fully VXIplug&play compliant
and compatible with PC-compatible software tools, the National
Instruments LabVIEW and LabWindows/CVI application software, and
the NI-VISA, NI-VXI, and NI-488.2 bus interface software.
Modules
The VXIpc 770/870B Series controllers are available in three different
configurations: the VXIpc-770, VXIpc-871B, and VXIpc-872B. All
module configurations share a standard I/O set that includes integrated
video, two PS/2 ports for keyboard and mouse, two USB ports, two RS-232
serial ports, one parallel port, 10/100 Ethernet, GPIB, three SMB
connectors for trigger and clock I/O, and a system reset button. The
controllers also include the Intel 815E chipset, which provides an interface
for a 2.5 in. ATA100 hard drive and support for up to 512 MB RAM.
The VXIpc-770 features an Intel Celeron processor.
The VXIpc 870 Series controllers include an Intel Pentium III processor,
a Wide Ultra2 SCSI port, two PC Card slots, and a computer speaker out

Chapter 1 Introduction
VXIpc 770/870B Series User Manual (Online Version) 1-2 ni.com
jack. The VXIpc-871B includes an integrated CD-ROM drive; the
VXIpc-872B includes a PCI expansion slot.
VXIpc 770/870B Series Functional Block Diagram
Figure 1-1 is a functional block diagram of the VXIpc 770/870B Series
controllers.
Figure 1-1. VXIpc 770/870B Series Block Diagram
Socket
370
CPU
Graphics
Memory
Controller
Hub
SO-DIMM
SDRAM
PC 133
2 USB
Connectors
VGA
Connector
10/100BaseT
Ethernet
I/O
Controller
Hub
(ICH2)
ATA 100
IDE Interface
LPT
COM 1,
COM 2
Internal
Floppy
Firmware
Hub
Super I/O
XBus
Keyboard/
Mouse
LPC Bus
Hub Interface
Chip Set
Chip Set
Watchdog
PS/2
VXI
Interface
External
Clock SMB
VXI Trigger
IN SMB
VXI Trigger
OUT SMB
PCI
GPIB
Wide Ultra2
SCSI
CardBus
PCI
Slot
PCI Bus
VXIpc-870B Only VXIpc-872B Only

Chapter 1 Introduction
©National Instruments Corporation 1-3 VXIpc 770/870B Series User Manual (Online Version)
VXIpc 770/870B Series Functional Description
This section contains brief functional descriptions of the major
VXIpc 770/870B logic blocks shown in Figure 1-1.
•Socket 370 CPU is the socket definition for the Intel Pentium III and
Celeron processors used in the VXIpc 770/870B Series controllers.
•The Chipset GMCH connects the CPU to the memory, I/O controller
hub, and video.
•The SO-DIMM block consists of two 64-bit SDRAM sockets that can
holdupto512MB.
•The Chipset ICH2 connects to the GMCH, PCI bus, LPC bus, IDE
interface, USB, and Ethernet.
•The ATA100 IDE Interface block is a dedicated PCI-IDE interface
providing fast ATA100 transfers to an internal hard drive. The IDE
interface is integrated in the chipset.
For the VXIpc-871B only, a CD-ROM drive is connected to the
secondary IDE channel.
•USB is also integrated in the chipset and provides two connections to
the Universal Serial Bus.
•The 10/100 Ethernet autonegotiates its connection to either a 10 Mbit
or 100 Mbit Ethernet connection.
•The Firmware Hub is a 4 Mbit Flash device for storing the system
BIOS.
•The Super I/O block represents the other peripherals included with the
VXIpc 770/870B Series controllers, including:
–Two serial ports
–One parallel port
–TwoPS/2ports
–AWatchdog timer
You can program the Watchdog timer1to reset the controller or
generate a trigger.
–An internal 1.44 MB 3.5 in. floppy drive (VXIpc 870B Series
only)
•The PCI GPIB block provides an interface to the NI-488.2 General
Purpose Interface Bus.
1Currently, there is no software support for the Watchdog timer. If your application requires the watchdog timer, contact
National Instruments for detailed instructions on how to program this device.

Chapter 1 Introduction
VXIpc 770/870B Series User Manual (Online Version) 1-4 ni.com
•The VXI Interface connects the VXIpc 770/870B Series controllers to
the VXI backplane through the National Instruments MITE ASIC.
•The External Clock SMB provides an input for an external source to
generate CLK10 to the VXI backplane or allow you to output CLK10
to an external device.
•The VXI Trigger In/Out SMBs provide a routable connection of the
VXI triggers to and from the VXI backplane.
The following blocks apply to the VXIpc 870B Series only.
•The Wide Ultra2 SCSI provides a PCI-SCSI interface using the
LSI53C895A SCSI controller.
•The CardBus block represents a PCI-CardBus interface using the
TIPCI-1450 CardBus host bus adapter.
•The PCI Slot represents the PCI expansion slot available on the
VXIpc-872B.
National Instruments Software
National Instruments has developed several software kits you can use with
the VXIpc 770/870B Series. NI-VISA and NI-VXI are already installed on
your hard drive; LabVIEW is optional.
NI-VISA is the National Instruments implementation of the VISA
specification. VISA is a uniform API for communicating and controlling
Serial, GPIB, VXI, and VME instruments. This API aids in the creation of
more portable applications and instrument drivers.
NI-VXI is the name of the National Instruments VXI bus control library.
You can create applications using NI-VXI to control both VXI and VME
devices. NI-VXI gives you complete VXI/VME functionality, including
an API for performing basic VXI/VME data transfers and handling
VXI/VME interrupts as well as VXI-specific functionality, such as
doing message-based communication and handling VXIbus triggers.
The NI-VISA/NI-VXI software includes an interactive configuration and
troubleshooting program, libraries of software routines for test and
measurement (T&M) programming, interactive control programs for both
NI-VISA and NI-VXI, a logging utility you can use for debugging your
applications, and a VXI Resource Manager. You can use this software to
seamlessly program multiple-mainframe configurations and have software
compatibility across a variety of controller platforms.

Chapter 1 Introduction
©National Instruments Corporation 1-5 VXIpc 770/870B Series User Manual (Online Version)
You can also use the National Instruments LabVIEW application program
and instrument drivers to ease your programming task. This standardized
program matches the modular virtual instrument capability of VXI and can
reduce your VXI software development time. This program features
extensive libraries of GPIB, Serial, and VXI instrument drivers written to
take full advantage of direct VXI control. LabVIEW includes all the tools
needed for instrument control, data acquisition, analysis, and presentation.
LabVIEW is an easy-to-use, graphical programming environment you can
use to acquire data from thousands of different instruments, including
IEEE 488.2 devices, VXI devices, serial devices, PLCs, and plug-in data
acquisition boards. After you have acquired raw data, you can convert it
into meaningful results using the powerful data analysis routines in
LabVIEW. LabVIEW also comes with hundreds of instrument drivers,
which dramatically reduce software development time, because you do not
need to spend time programming the low-level control of each instrument.

©National Instruments Corporation 2-1 VXIpc 770/870B Series User Manual (Online Version)
2
Installation
This chapter contains information about installing your VXIpc 770/870B
Series controller and components.
Caution Electrostatic discharge can damage your controller. To avoid such damage,
handle the controller only in a proper ESD-controlled environment.
Installing the VXIpc 770/870B Series
This section contains general installation instructions for the
VXIpc 770/870B Series controller. Consult your VXIbus chassis user
manual or technical reference manual for specific instructions and
warnings.
1. Plug in your chassis before installing the controller. The power cord
grounds the chassis and protects it from electrical damage while you
are installing the controller.
Caution To protect both yourself and the chassis from electrical hazards, the chassis
should remain off until you finish installing the controller.
2. Remove or open any doors or covers blocking access to the chassis
slots.
Caution If the controller is not configured for automatic System Controller detection, be
certain that the slot you select in your VXIbus chassis matches the controller configuration
as either a System Controller device or a Non-System Controller device. Installing the
controller into a slot that does not correspond with the jumper setting can damage the
controller, the VXIbus backplane, or both. See the Slot 0 Detection/System Controller
section in Chapter 3, Configuration and Default Settings, for jumper configuration
information.
3. Insert the controller in the desired slot by aligning the top and bottom
of the controller with the card-edge guides inside the chassis. Slowly
push the controller straight into the slot until its plug connectors are
resting on the backplane receptacle connectors. Using slow, evenly
distributed pressure, press the module straight in until it seats in the

Chapter 2 Installation
VXIpc 770/870B Series User Manual (Online Version) 2-2 ni.com
expansion slot. The front panel of the controller should be even with
the front panel of the chassis.
4. Tighten the retaining screws on the top and bottom edges of the front
panel.
5. Check the installation.
6. Connect the keyboard and mouse to the appropriate PS/2 connectors.
7. Connect the VGA monitor video cable to the VGA connector.
8. Connect devices to ports as required by your system configuration.
9. Replace or close any doors or covers on the chassis.
10. Turn on the chassis.
11. The controller should now boot. If the controller does not boot, see
the What if the VXIpc 770/870B Series does not boot? section in
Chapter 6, Common Questions and Troubleshooting.
12. On the first boot of the controller, a setup program automatically runs.
13. Follow the prompts in the setup program to fully configure your
controller.
14. When prompted for the Windows serial number, enter the serial
number of the operating system from the included certificate.
15. Your controller is now ready for development.
Figure 2-1 shows a VXIpc-872B installed in the system controller slot of a
National Instruments VXI chassis. You can place VXI devices in any other
slot.

Chapter 2 Installation
©National Instruments Corporation 2-3 VXIpc 770/870B Series User Manual (Online Version)
Figure 2-1. VXIpc-872B Controller Installed in a VXI Chassis
How to Remove the Controller from the VXI Chassis
The VXIpc 770/870B Series controllers are designed for easy handling.
To remove the controller from the VXI chassis:
1. Shut down all applications and the operating system.
2. Turn off power.
3. Disconnect devices from the front panel ports as your system
configuration requires.
4. Remove the retaining screws in the controller front panel.
5. Push the upper ejector handle up and the lower ejector handle down
until the controller pops out of the backplane connectors.
6. Slide the controller out of the chassis.
1 VXIpc-872B Controller 2 VXI Chassis
2
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Chapter 2 Installation
VXIpc 770/870B Series User Manual (Online Version) 2-4 ni.com
Removing the VXIpc 770/870B Series Component
Side Cover
The VXIpc 770/870B Series is housed in a metal enclosure comprised of
a top and bottom cover to improve EMC performance and provide easy
handling. To access the jumper settings or install modules such as RAM or
PCI cards, you must remove the component side cover.
Remove the top cover by removing the screws that attach it to the module.
Installing and Upgrading RAM
The VXIpc 770/870B Series uses 144-pin 133 MHz SDRAM and supports
64, 128, 256, and 512 MB SO-DIMMs, for a maximum of 512 MB. There
are two RAM sockets in the VXIpc 770/870B Series, and you can change
the amount of installed RAM by upgrading the SO-DIMMs.
National Instruments recommends the following size SO-DIMMs for use
with the VXIpc 770/870B Series controller (SDRAM):
64 MB 4 MB ×64 SO-DIMMs—10 ns, 1.05 in. max.
128 MB 8 MB ×64 SO-DIMMs—10 ns, 1.05 in. max.
256 MB 16 MB ×64 SO-DIMMs—10 ns, 1.05 in. max.
Note National Instruments has tested and verified that the SO-DIMMs we sell work with
the VXIpc 770/870B Series. We recommend you purchase your SO-DIMM modules from
National Instruments. Other off-the-shelf SO-DIMM modules are not guaranteed to work
properly.
To add or replace RAM for the VXIpc 770/870B Series, follow these steps:
1. Remove the VXIpc 770/870B Series from the chassis. See the removal
instructions in the How to Remove the Controller from the VXI Chassis
section.
2. Remove the component side cover. See the removal instructions in the
Removingthe VXIpc 770/870B SeriesComponent SideCover section.
3. Add the SO-DIMM modules to the empty SO-DIMM sockets.
SeeFigure2-2.
Note To ensure proper memory operation with a single-SO-DIMM configuration, always
populate slot XA2. For a two-SO-DIMM configuration, populate slot XA2 with the higher
capacity SO-DIMM.

Chapter 2 Installation
©National Instruments Corporation 2-5 VXIpc 770/870B Series User Manual (Online Version)
Figure 2-2. Installing a SO-DIMM in an VXIpc 770/870B Series Controller
Installing a PCI Card (VXIpc-872B Only)
The VXIpc-872B has a single PCI expansion slot. See Appendix B,
Modifying and Installing I/O Expansion Boards, for PCI board installation
instructions.
Installing and Removing the Internal Hard Drive
Follow these steps to remove the internal hard drive from your
VXIpc 770/870B Series controller:
1. Remove the controller from the chassis. See the removal instructions
in the How to Remove the Controller from the VXI Chassis section.
2. Remove the component side cover. See the removal instructions in the
Removing the VXIpc 770/870B Series Component Side Cover section.
3. Remove the four screws under the solder side cover that hold the hard
drive in place.
4. Carefully and slowly slide the hard drive toward the rear of the
controller to free the pins from the IDE connector.
1 SO-DIMM Socket XA1 2 SO-DIMM Module 3 SO-DIMM Socket XA2
3
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