Restore NI Phar Lap and VxWorks RT Target to Factory Default Configuration

This article explains how to restore a LabVIEW Real-Time device to the factory default configuration. This may be necessary for the following reasons:

• To reset the password for the target.
• To restore my CompactRIO (cRIO), sbRIO, PXI Real-Time controller, stand-alone USRP controller, or other real-time targets to factory default.
• To format the disk and reinstall software
• To reset my cRIO from NI Measurement and Automation Explorer (NI MAX) without having to install any software (LabVIEW, LabVIEW Real-Time, cRIO driver)

The method of restoration differs depending on the operating system of the target. Please refer to Real-Time Controllers and Real-Time Operating System Compatibility to determine which operating system each real-time target is running.

This article is focused on LabVIEW Real-Time Targets (Phar Lap and VxWorks), please consult the following if you have another device:

• Linux Real-Time Targets >> Restore Linux RT Target to Factory Default Configuration
• Linux Real-Time targets (ARM-based targets) >> Contact NI Support.

 

Please see below a list of important considerations before restoring your RT target to the factory default configuration:

• When you format the disk, you will lose all programs and configuration data on your controller. Make sure you have a backup copy of any files you may need from your controller and make a note of your IP configuration. There is no need to back up any of the driver or run-time files as they will be reinstalled after the format.
• Prior to NI MAX 5.0, network settings could not be preserved and you had to manually put the Real-Time target into Safe Mode. Refer to your device's documentation on how to do this.
• In order for NI MAX to recognize your remote hardware, make sure that both the device and the Host PC are on the same subnet  and that you have the minimum software required installed on your Host PC as well. Otherwise, you may not be able to see the device or have the option to reinstall the software/reset the device.

In this guide are the following sections:

1. Preparation Steps
2. Method 1: Restoration using NI Measurement and Automation Explorer (MAX)
3. Method 2: Restoration for cRIO with a USB Port

Preparation Steps:

Before restoring the device, it may be necessary to complete some preparation steps, depending on the version of LabVIEW Real-Time being used. 

For LabVIEW Real-Time 2009 and older

Note: The password will be removed during this process. The IP configuration will need to be reconfigured. 

If the RIO device has physical DIP switches, follow these instructions: 

1. Set the IP RESET switch to ON.
2. Reboot the controller.
3. Set the switch to OFF

If your RIO does not have DIP switches, follow these instructions:

1. Hold the RESET button until the STATUS LED turns solid orange or yellow.
2. Release the RESET button and the controller will restart. The STATUS LED will blink three times indicating that the controller is in Safe Mode.
3. Hold the RESET button again until the STATUS LED turns solid orange or yellow.
4. Release the RESET button and the controller will reset the password, reset the IP configuration, and restart in Safe Mode.
5. Find the RIO in NI MAX and restart the controller into Normal Mode.
    

For LabVIEW Real-Time 2010 and newer

Note: After this process, the RIO will be usable without a password, but all files that were on the RIO will be lost in the process. 
 
The security settings of the RIO now carry through an IP reset. The RIO controller will have to be reformatted in order to clear the password. 

1. Reboot the controller into Safe Mode, by using the DIP switches or holding the RESET button as described above.

Method 1: Restoration using NI MAX

The following steps are for NI MAX 5.0 and newer:

1. Open NI MAX and expand Remote Systems from the Configuration tree. 
2. Right-click on the device and select Format Disk.
3. If a login window appears, select OK.        
4. Select Attempt to restart into safe mode to restart the controller in Safe Mode.
5. Select Preserve the settings for all network adapters. 
6. Phar Lap ETS targets have the additional option of selecting a file system. We recommend the Reliance file system. For more information on the Reliance File system read this article: Format Real-Time PC or Real-Time PXI Target to the Reliance File System
7. Click Format to format the controller and Yes to restart the controller once it has been formatted. 
8. If you choose to not preserve the network settings, after the controller restarts navigate to the Network Settings tab in NI MAX and configure the network settings.
9. Right-click on Software and select Add/Remove Software - the Software folder will not be visible in the configuration tree in NI MAX if the controller does not have a valid IP address.

          

10. Some controllers install using Recommended Software Set's (RSS)'s. If your controller does not have an RSS option, proceed to Step 11. 

The RSS selection will select to install the base requirements for that Real-Time and driver version. Next, another window will open allowing the selection of other optional install components.
 
 

11. If the controller does not have a RSS option then the specific software must be selected manually. 

 

12. Select Next. Review the software to be installed.
13. Select Next to begin the installation process.
14. After the software is installed the controller will restart. If you manually put the controller into Safe Mode, return the setting/dip switch back to off to allow the controller to restart normally.

Method 2: Restoration for cRIO with a USB Port

Using the USB reset will leave the system in a state where it is unable to run LabVIEW Real-Time

In this file, you will find .cfg files for all cRIO chassis which drivers you have installed.

1. On a PC that is connected to a working cRIO, from File Explorer go in the following direction:
   • Local Disk (C:) >> Program Files (x86) >> National Instruments >> Shared >> Firmware >> cRIO
2. Find the cRIO which you want to format and from that folder copy file which is called cRIO-90xx_x.x.x
   • See the below table for a list of devices and their associated firmware folder names.

     Target	Folder Name		Target	Folder Name		Target	Folder Name
     cRIO-9030	7755		cRIO-9048	78B7		cDAQ-9132	773B
     cRIO-9031	774B		cRIO-9048	78E7		cDAQ-9133	77BD
     cRIO-9032	7841		cRIO-9049	78EA		cDAQ-9134	7773
     cRIO-9033	7735		cRIO-9053	79DD		cDAQ-9135	77BC
     cRIO-9034	774D		cRIO-9054	79DE		cDAQ-9136	7833
     cRIO-9035	77DB		cRIO-9055	7A2B		cDAQ-9137	7835
     cRIO-9035	7875		cRIO-9056	79DF		ELVIS III	793C
     cRIO-9036	77DC		cRIO-9057	79E0		ELVIS RIO CM	7885
     cRIO-9037	7840		cRIO-9058	7A2A		cRIO-9603	7A38
     cRIO-9038	77B9		cRIO-9063	7740		cRIO-9608	7A39
     cRIO-9039	77DD		cRIO-9064	7741		cRIO-9609	7A41
     cRIO-9039	7878		cRIO-9065	7742		cRIO-9628	7A3A
     cRIO-9040	78E3		cRIO-9066	7743		cRIO-9629	7A43
     cRIO-9041	79D0		cRIO-9067	7744		cRIO-9638	7A3B
     cRIO-9042	78E8		cRIO-9068	76D6		sbRIO-9607	77D6
     cRIO-9043	78E5		myRIO-1900	762F		sbRIO-9627	77D5
     cRIO-9045	78E4		myRIO-1950	76D3		sbRIO-9637	77D4
     cRIO-9046	79CE		roboRIO	76F2		sbRIO-9651	775E
     cRIO-9047	78E9

3. Copy the "recovery.cfg" file to the USB drive (it should be FAT16/32 and be fully formatted)
4. Plug in the USB drive to the controller
5. Power off the RIO by unplugging the power
6. Hold down the RESET button
7. Power on the cRIO by plugging the power back in (continue to hold the RESET button while powering on)
8. Wait until the status light turns on, then release the RESET button
9. Wait for the controller to boot. This should take less than a minute
10. Check that the password has been reset to the default.
    • You will be prompted for a password, the default password is blank
11. Reinstall the software on the controller.

If none of the provided methods solve the issue, please contact NI Technical Support for potential repair.

Back to the Top