MTS Synergie Machine and GPIB

From what I've seen after a bit of searching, a GPIB/USB converter is more-or-less in the same price range as a PCI card.

Try firing up the software under XP - you'll soon know whether it'll work, or if it will only run in a DOS window. If it does run under XP, there's a good chance it'll work with a USB device.

If the software won't run under XP (but will in a DOS window) I'd say bite the bullet & get a PCI card. You could probably pick up a cheap one on ebay.

Thanks for the input...

An update to my situation, I grabbed a parallel port cable (25 pin) and was able to connect the machine, the activator and the pc. However, the program will not load, I get an error that reads 'options file does not exist'. The program, which is meant to run on windows 3.1 (I know) opens for a few seconds and then closes itself. My thinking is that there are missing files and its time to spring for some updated software.

" ... its time to spring for some updated software ... "

Sounds like it - assuming anything's available(?). Please keep me posted - I'm honestly interested.

[Aside:

More years ago than I care to remember I designed & built an IEEE-488 interface for some analytical gear (an X-ray goniometer) to be used at Port Talbot steelworks. They had a (state-of-the-art) Commodore Pet, and GPIB was the only option for interfacing.]

BTW - please register as a CR4 member - you'll waste hours (of your own time - the boss may be looking), but you'll have a lot of fun and potentially learn a lot.

John

Well, as most engineers, I hate to admit that I was wrong, so I wont, Ill just say I made an incorrect assumption. The parallel connector wont work, the only interface option is through 488. The software will however run on XP, good news, and I'm currently working with a guy in tech support to send me the files Im missing, so far Ive installed a new options file, and now am waiting to fix a GPF issue with a DLL file. Thanks for your help, and the suggestion to register, I plan on it