Why does my Real-Time Controller Identify as Generic Desktop PC in Measurement and Automation Explorer?

Updated Nov 4, 2021

Issue Details

I have a PXI Real-Time controller, Embedded Vision System (EVS), or Industrial controller that is described as a Generic Desktop PC in Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX). How do I get my controller to identify correctly, and are there any differences between the two descriptions?
 

Solution

If your controller identifies as a Generic Desktop PC in MAX it was likely recently reformatted with a Desktop PC Utility USB Drive. After reformatting you must be sure to configure the controller to boot into LabVIEW RT Safe Mode before the system's initial reboot or else it will not be properly identified.
 
Unfortunately, if the first reboot is not into safe mode you will need to reformat the controller again, using the USB Drive, and then successfully boot the controller into LabVIEW RT Safe Mode. This can be done by changing the Boot Configuration in the BIOS (shown below) before booting from the freshly reformatted disc drive.
 
Also be sure to have the most recent version of your controller's BIOS installed. You can search for the newest version of your controller's BIOS on ni.com/downloads. Simply type in the number of your controller and the word BIOS in the search bar, choose the most recently posted version. and follow the directions for updating the BIOS with a USB. 
 
For reference, the steps to reformat are linked in this article, Using a Utility USB Drive to Format my Real-Time Phar Lap ETS PXI Controller. Although the article is written for PXI controllers the process is very similar for an Industrial controller, or Embedded Vision System.
 
NOTE: Some of the older controllers, such as the 8176 version E, do not have the BIOS option to boot the controller into LabVIEW RT Safe Mode or do not support AHCI like the 8130, and therefore will continue to show up as a Generic Desktop PC.

Besides the device identification in MAX there are a few key differences between a properly enumerated controller and a controller that is described as a Generic Desktop PC.
 
Depending on the controller hardware and the BIOS, certain features that negatively affect determinism are disabled by default for properly identified controllers. Some of these features include: Hyperthreading, Turbo Boost, and Legacy USB support. Those features are not disabled by default when the controller is identified as a Generic Desktop PC.

Functionally the controller should operate the same as a properly enumerated RT controller, but it may suffer from decreased determinism due to the aforementioned features being enabled. It should not affect any other hardware capabilities of the controller.
 

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