Recovering the NI-MAX Configuration Without Using the Export Options

Updated Mar 17, 2023

Environment

Operating System

  • Windows

  • I would like to export my Measurement & Automation (MAX) Configuration but I'm unable to use the export option since MAX is unresponsive. If I do not explicitly export Virtual Channel/Task Information in MAX, can I export this information some other way?
  • Other than using the Export Wizard, is there a way to export my NI MAX Configuration?
  • Is there a way to copy my NI MAX Configuration to another PC?

NI recommends exporting virtual channel/task information using the Export Wizard (in MAX, File»Export).

The steps below are provided only in cases where the Export Wizard cannot be used, and should only be followed as a last resort. Most configuration information is contained in the config3.mxs. The following steps show how to copy this file to another computer.

Note: This does not guarantee that all of the correct information is copied and will work on another computer.

1. For Windows XP or 2000 navigate to C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\National Instruments\MAX\Data\ (For Windows Vista, 7 and 10, the path to use is C:\ProgramData\National Instruments\MAX\Data)

2. The file of interest is config3.mxs. Create a copy of this file. 
  • Note: In older versions of MAX, config3.mxs is called config.mxs.

3. Stop MAX services on the computer you wish to transfer the file to. 
  • This is done by closing MAX and then launching the command window (Start»Run»Type: "cmd") as an administrator. 
  • Then, enter the command net stop mxssvr,as shown:


4. In the MAX data folder (same path as above) delete the files config3.mxs, config3.mxc, config3.mxd, config3.mx5, and storage.mxc

5. Place the copy of config3.mxs in the newly cleared data folder. 

6. Restart the computer.

7. Start MAX; the virtual channels should be copied to the Data Neighbourhood.  This technique can also be applied with Real-Time PXI systems that must be reformatted but cannot export the configuration file. Copy the config3.mxs to the host computer, and reformat and reinstall software to the PXI target as usual. With the controller in safe mode, you can FTP to it and follow steps 4-6.