Desktop PC Safe Mode Disk

The Desktop PC Safe Mode Disk bypasses the normal boot programs on the remote desktop PC. Instead, it uses programs on the floppy disk to boot only essential services required for updating the remote desktop PC's configuration and installing software. Safe Mode is useful if the software on the remote desktop PC becomes corrupted, as it bypasses the corrupted software. You can then use MAX to reinstall the software.

Note  You must use Windows XP/2000 computers to create this disk utility. If your system uses Windows Vista, you must create a Desktop PC Utility USB Drive instead.

Creating the Desktop PC Safe Mode Disk

Complete the following steps to create a safe mode boot disk from your host PC or PXI system:

1. Place a floppy disk in the drive of the host PC. Any data on the floppy disk will be overwritten.
2. Launch MAX by selecting All Programs»National Instruments»Measurement & Automation Explorer from the Windows Start menu on the host PC.
3. Select Tools»RT Disk Utilities»Create Desktop PC Safe Mode Disk.
4. The Desktop PC Safe Mode Disk dialog box appears. Click Yes to make the disk. Follow the instructions that appear on your screen.
5. Select the version of the disk utilities you want to use.
6. After the system finishes creating the boot disk, remove the floppy disk and label it LabVIEW RT Desktop PC Safe Mode Disk.

Insert the boot disk into the floppy drive of the desktop PC you use as the remote system. Power on or reset the remote desktop PC to boot the system into safe mode.

Using the Desktop PC Safe Mode Disk

Complete the following steps to boot into this mode if your system has a floppy drive:

1. Place disk in the system's floppy disk drive.
2. Restart the system.
3. Remove the disk from the RT target and reboot as normal.

You can now use MAX to reconfigure the RT target and reinstall software. Refer to your remote desktop PC documentation for more information about configuring a remote desktop PC.