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Each PowerLab and Front-end comes with an Owner’s Guide
which provides specifications and technical information about
the unit, and information about connections and fuse replacement.
A PDF copy is on the Software Installer CD, and may also
have been installed on your hard disk along with the software.
PowerLabs.
A PowerLab hardware error is usually indicated
by recurring red flashes of the Status light. To confirm
that you have this problem first turn the PowerLab off. Then,
disconnect all transducers and amplifiers from the PowerLab,
and disconnect the PowerLab from the computer. If the red
flashes occur when the PowerLab is restarted without any
external devices attached, a hardware error may exist. Instructions
will be required from Technical Support.
If, after restarting the PowerLab, the Status light flashes
green or orange and then stops, the hardware is likely to
be OK. Turn the unit off, reconnect to the computer and check
that the unit is plugged into the correct communication port.
For example, a sequence of red flashing lights will occur
if a SCSI PowerLab is plugged into the computer’s printer
port rather than the computer’s SCSI port.
NOTE: The PowerLab should be turned off before connecting
or disconnecting any devices to or from it.
Front-end Amplifiers.
All Front-ends require two
cables to connect to a PowerLab hardware unit. For example
a Bridge Amp requires a short gray I2C cable to connect from
the rear of the Front-end to the rear of the PowerLab. The
I2C cable provides power and control signals for the Front-end.
A BNC cable connects from the back of the Bridge Amp to an
input channel on the front of the PowerLab.
If you have a Stimulus Isolator, the BNC cable connects
from Output 1 or Output + of the PowerLab to the rear of
the Stimulus Isolator.
NOTE:
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If these connections are incorrect or if the cables
are not firmly in place, the Front-end may not be found
by the software. It is not sufficient to connect only
one of the cables.
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The PowerLab should be switched off before connecting
cables between Front-ends and the PowerLab.
The PowerLab and software needs to be restarted to recognize
when a new device such as a Front-end has been connected.
When LabChart opens, the PowerLab’s Status light flashes
and remains green after communication is established. A Front-end’s
Status light remains green after it has been correctly identified.
The exception to this is the Stimulus Isolator, whose Status
light flashes with each stimulus pulse.
Communication - LabChart does not “recognize” the
PowerLab hardware
First check that you have installed LabChart or Scope, that
the PowerLab is connected to the computer using either a
USB or SCSI cable (depending on the PowerLab model), and
that the Power light turns green when power is applied. Most
communication errors are solved by checking that good and
proper connections exist between the computer and the PowerLab,
or the PowerLab and Front-end, if one is connected.
Does LabChart recognize the PowerLab?
Run LabChart to establish
communication. A number of messages appear at the bottom
of the LabChart splash screen to tell you what LabChart is doing
as it opens and begins to communicate with the PowerLab.
If no communication link can be established with a PowerLab
then LabChart presents a dialog box that will allow it to be
opened in Analysis mode. In Analysis mode, previously recorded
files or demonstration files included with the installation
can be opened and viewed, but no recording is possible.
NOTE:
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Even without a PowerLab connected, you should be able
to open LabChart in Analysis mode. If it cannot be opened,
then the problem may be operating system related OR the
LabChart application itself may be corrupt or missing some
of its installed components. In either case, on Windows
systems, use the Windows Add and Remove Programs Control
Panel to remove LabChart, and then using the Software Installer
CD supplied with the PowerLab, reinstall LabChart. On Mac
systems, delete the LabChart folder and reinstall. Restart
the PowerLab and computer following any software reinstallation.
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If using an updater downloaded from our web or FTP
site, firstly install LabChart from your Software Installer
CD, and check that it has successfully installed by opening
it in Analysis mode. Next run the updater. If an error
occurs during or after using the updater, delete the
updater and download another copy.
If LabChart still does not open in Analysis mode, reinstallation
of the operating system may be required.
A communication link between LabChart and the PowerLab is recognized
when PowerLab’s Status light remains green after LabChart
starts. During the startup phase, the Status light flashes.
This indicates that the computer and PowerLab are communicating.
Troubleshooting communication errors.
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Does the PowerLab appear under the Computer System’s
Device Manager (Windows only)?
Check that the USB cable is pushed in correctly on the
PowerLab and computer. Try restarting the computer and
PowerLab. The computer’s operating system should
recognize the PowerLab as a USB device. If not, does
the computer recognize another USB devices that you know
works, such as a printer or scanner. Try a different
USB cable. Try another USB port on your computer. Try
the PowerLab on another computer if one is available.
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Does LabChart open with the Scan, Analysis and Exit (Quit
on a Macintosh) dialog box? Check that the program searches
for all devices. LabChart for Macintosh searches for devices
are that are shown enabled when you click the Options
button, next to the Scan button.
If LabChart for Macintosh opens in Analysis mode without
showing the Scan, Analysis and Quit dialog box, check
that someone hasn’t set LabChart to begin in Analysis
mode. This option is found under Preferences:PowerLab
Startup... in LabChart for Macintosh.
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LabChart creates a log file as it tries to establish a
communication link with the PowerLab when it starts up.
A copy of the “AdiLabChartBootLog” file is required
when reporting software startup or communication problems.
This file can be found in the LabChart folder (located by
default in Program Files\ADInstruments\ on Windows systems,
and in ADInstruments:LabChart:Essential Files or Home:Library:Logs
on Macintosh systems).
- Does Scope communicate with the PowerLab? This can provide
clues to the source of the problem.
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