Getting Started with Your Hardware and Software

NI-488.2

Getting Started with Your Hardware and Software

To use your GPIB hardware and NI-488.2 software to communicate with an instrument, follow these steps:

  1. Install your GPIB hardware according to the instructions in the getting started documentation on the NI-488.2 for Windows CD. For more information about the documentation, refer to Access Additional Help and Resources for GPIB.
  2. Following the GPIB configuration requirements, connect an instrument to your GPIB hardware and power it on.
  3. Launch Measurement & Automation Explorer by selecting Start»Programs»National Instruments»Measurement & Automation or clicking the following button.

    >  Start Measurement & Automation Explorer.

  4. In Measurement & Automation Explorer, scan for instruments connected to your GPIB hardware. For more information, refer to Scan for GPIB Instruments.
  5. Use the NI-488.2 Communicator to send commands to and read responses from your instrument. For more information, refer to Communicate with a GPIB Instrument.

Measurement & Automation Explorer also gives you access to all the NI-488.2 software utilities. You can access online help, troubleshooting assistance, and the National Instruments Web site from the Measurement & Automation Explorer Help menu.

For an overview of how to set up and configure your system, refer to the Setting up and Configuring Your System topic.