Invalid System Disk When Booting PXI Controller

Updated Apr 21, 2022

Reported In

Hardware

  • PXI-8820
  • PXI Controller
  • PXIe-8880
  • PXIe-8840
  • PXI-8119

Software

  • LabVIEW Real-Time Module

Operating System

  • Windows

Issue Details

  • I am booting up a PXI controller and from the BIOS I get this error:
Invalid system disk - replace the disk and then press any key


Solution

This usually happens if you have a PXI/PXIe controller with a Real-Time OS.
  1. If you were trying to boot Windows, verify that you purchased a controller with Windows installed or that you have installed it manually.
  2. Make sure that the correct switches are flipped on your controller. Try turning on only Switch 1.
  3. If the error continues, try booting the controller in RT Safe Mode by turning on Switch 2.
  4. If you have the incorrect Real-Time OS installed, you will have to install the other Real-Time OS accordingly. (i.e. Trying to boot NI Linux Real-Time when NI Phar Lap ETS is installed will result in this error)
The user manual of your controller will have information on the functionality and location of the switches on your controller. See additional notes for an example of this information.

If you send your controller to be repaired by RMA, they will revert the operating system and BIOS settings back to the original configurations they were purchased in. If you choose to put a different operating system on your controller, you must make sure the boot configuration is set up correctly as explained above for your operating system. 

Additional Information




Note: The location of the switches can vary by controller. See the manual for your PXI controller to find the location for that controller.