Frequently Asked Questions: ARCNET & OPTO 22

1. Can I use the PCM20 card with Opto 22 FactoryFloor software?
2. Can I use the PCI20 card with Opto 22 FactoryFloor software?
3. How do I use Opto 22 FactoryFloor software with the PCA66 card?
4. Which Opto 22 software utilities are available for use with ARCNET interface cards from Contemporary Controls?

 

Can I use the PCM20 card with Opto 22 FactoryFloor software?

The PCM20 card will function with certain combinations of FactoryFloor software and Microsoft Windows operating systems. These combinations are shown in the following table:

 

	FactoryFloor 3.1c and later	FactoryFloor 3.1b and earlier
Windows 2000 Windows XP	Card doesn't operate. Contact Opto 22 Product Support (support@opto22.com) for the most recent compatibility information.
Windows NT 4	Card operates with no modifications. See Note 1.	Card operates without modifications.
Windows 98 Windows ME	Card doesn't operate.	Card operates. See Note 2 for configuration.
Windows 95	Card does not operate.	Card operates. See Note 3 for configuration.

Note 1
For specific configuration instructions, see the chapter "Working with Controllers" in Opto 22 form 724, the OptoControl User's Guide. This document is included on the FactoryFloor CD-ROM.

In FactoryFloor version 3.1c and later, the option to configure an Opto 22 AC47 ARCNET card has been removed.

Note 2
In FactoryFloor versions 3.1b and earlier, Windows 98 may locate the PCM20 at a base I/O address which is unacceptable to OptoControl. To establish a base I/O address located between 240 and 3F0 (hex) do the following:

1. Install the PCM20 using the instructions for Windows 95.
2. Remove the PCM20.
3. Replace the pcm20.vxd file with a new one downloaded here.
4. Reinsert the PCM20.

IMPORTANT: This procedure has been tested for Windows 98, but its applicability for Windows ME has not yet been proven.

For additional configuration information on using the PCM20 card with FactoryFloor on Windows 98 and Windows ME systems, see the following document on the Opto 22 Web site:

• PC ARCNET Card Installation for Use with FactoryFloor (Opto 22 form AN9809)
  www.opto22.com/Datasheets/AN9809_PC ARCNET Card Installation for Use With FactoryFloor.pdf

Note 3
On a Windows 95 PC, the PCM20 card can be used with FactoryFloor version 3.1b by implementing a workaround which makes the PCM20 appear as an AC47 device to OptoControl. To use this workaround do the following:

1. When the PCM20 card is inserted in the interface slot, Windows will request a driver disk. Insert the enabler disk provided with the PCM20.
2. After the PCM20 card has been installed, change the default I/O settings. In OptoControl, choose an unused I/O setting for the AC47. In Windows Device Manager, modify the I/O settings for the PCM20 to match those selected in OptoControl.
3. Copy the setnode.exe program from the PCM20 disk to the C:\Windows directory.
4. Create a file named c:\windows\winstart.bat and then modify it by adding the line "setnode xxx yy" (where xxx is the base address selected in step 1 and yy is the desired non-zero node ID).
5. Reboot the computer.

For additional configuration information on using the PCM20 card with FactoryFloor on Windows 95 systems, see the following document on the Opto 22 Web site:

• PC ARCNET Card Installation for Use with FactoryFloor (Opto 22 form AN9809)
  www.opto22.com/Datasheets/AN9809_PC ARCNET Card Installation for Use With FactoryFloor.pdf

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Can I use the PCI20 card with Opto 22 FactoryFloor software?

Opto 22 FactoryFloor versions 3.1c and later support the following Contemporary Controls PCI-ARCNET cards:

• PCI20-CXS [Coaxial-Star]
• PCI20-FOG-ST [Fiber Optic, ST]
• PCI20-485 [DC-Coupled EIA-485, backplane mode, twisted-pair]

Up to four cards may be used in a single computer. PCI20 configuration is done using the FactoryFloor software utility OptoTerm. Drivers and enablers from Contemporary Controls should not be used for configuring this adapter card.

For specific configuration instructions, see Opto 22 form 1243, FactoryFloor PCI-ARCNET Addendum. This document is included on the FactoryFloor CD-ROM, and can also be downloaded from the Opto 22 Web site at www.opto22.com/Datasheets/1243_FF_PCI-ARCNET_Addendum.pdf

NOTE: In FactoryFloor version 3.1c and later, the option to configure an Opto 22 AC47 ARCNET card has been removed.

 

How do I use Opto 22 FactoryFloor software with the PCA66 card?

The PCA66 can be used with all versions of FactoryFloor. For configuration information on using the PCA66 card with FactoryFloor, see the following document on the Opto 22 Web site:

• PC ARCNET Card Installation for Use with FactoryFloor (Opto 22 form AN9809)
  www.opto22.com/Datasheets/AN9809_PC ARCNET Card Installation for Use With FactoryFloor.pdf

 

Which Opto 22 software utilities are available for use with ARCNET interface cards from Contemporary Controls?

Diagnostic utilities and other Opto 22 software can be downloaded from the Support section of the Opto 22 Web site at www.opto22.com/support.

 

Submit questions or comments to our tech support via e-mail at techsupport@ccontrols.com