Hardware driver version should be used for a particular data acquisition (DAQ) board on Windows, Linux, or Mac OS X. The NI-DAQmx driver. You can find the NI-DAQmx for myDAQ driver for download at this location on NI Labs. In addition to this driver, you will need the LabVIEW development system for Mac OSX. This software comes with the Academic Site License. You can also download a trial version from this link.

The NI myDAQ is a versatile data acquisition device that can be used with NI LabVIEW software. We’ve written many tutorials and informational blogs about the myDAQ. This post, however, will outline how to install the necessary drivers and software for the myDAQ.

Why Do I Need Drivers with LabVIEW?

When a computer needs to interact with some piece of external hardware, like the myDAQ, it needs instructions on how to utilize that piece of hardware. Hardware drivers accomplish this goal. For the myDAQ, the drivers must be installed before you can properly use the myDAQ for data acquisition.

It’s possible that you already have LabVIEW installed, but when you try to use the myDAQ for data acquisition you can’t do so. Maybe you placed the DAQ Assist block in your block diagram but LabVIEW is unable to communicate with the myDAQ. Or maybe you don’t have the DAQ Assist block in your block menu at all. Both issues point to a lack of drivers as the culprit.

What is ELVISmx Software?

The ELVISmx software is included with the myDAQ drivers. The software offers a variety of data acquisition features, such as an oscilloscope, digital multimeter, and an audio equalizer. These modules can be useful for testing connections or manipulating incoming and outgoing data. The ELVISmx software is not a requirement for myDAQ compatibility with LabVIEW. However, the myDAQ drivers come with the software regardless.

How Do I Download and Install Drivers?

For Windows¸ you will want to download the drivers.

For Mac, you will want to download the drivers.

For both platforms, you will be brought to a page that has a download link. Click the download link to begin downloading the drivers.
NOTE: The Mac download will be a .dmg file.

Windows Installation

On Windows, once the file is done downloading, you need to browse to your downloads folder and right-click the file and choose “Extract Files”. NOTE: In my screenshot, below, my zip file is an older version than the file linked to above.

Once the files are extracted, a folder of the same name should open. Inside of this folder, right-click the “Setup” file and choose “Run as Administrator”.

Once the installer is open, you can simply use the default settings for everything and click “Next” when prompted to do so.

The installation process can be quick or slow depending on your computer. Be patient.

When the installation is finished, restart your computer.

Mac Installation

Once the dmg file is done downloading, all you need to do is double-click the dmg file to run it. Follow the instructions on the installation wizard to install the software. You can leave all the settings default.

The installation process can be quick or slow depending on your computer. Be patient.

Conclusion

That’s all there is to it. Once the drivers are installed, you’ll be able to access the ELVISmx tools and the myDAQ blocks in LabVIEW. Now you can get started on some fun projects! Enjoy!

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NI-DAQmx Base bietet ausgewählte Funktionen der Treibersoftware NI-DAQmx unter den Betriebssystemen Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, Windows Mobile und Windows CE. Die übersichtlich strukturierte Programmierschnittstelle mit der programmatischen Kanal- und Aufgabenerstellung sowie der engen Integration mit NI LabVIEW ermöglicht eine mühelose Anwendungsentwicklung. Die Treibersoftware stellt darüber hinaus sofort einsatzfähige LabVIEW-VIs und C-Beispielfunktionen ähnlich wie in der NI-DAQmx-Version mit vollem Funktionsumfang zur Verfügung.
National Instruments hat die Treibersoftware NI-DAQmx Base mithilfe des NI Measurement Hardware Driver Development Kit (MHDDK) fast vollständig in der grafischen Entwicklungsumgebung LabVIEW erstellt, die auf verschiedenen Plattformen eingesetzt werden kann. Aufgrund dieser agilen Architektur kann die Treibersoftware NI-DAQmx Base flexibel auf andere Betriebssysteme und Geräte portiert werden. Das NI MHDDK eignet sich besonders zum Entwickeln benutzerdefinierter Treiber mithilfe der Programmierung auf Registerebene.
Zur Entwicklung Windows- oder Linux-gestützter Systeme empfiehlt sich die neueste Version der Treibersoftware NI-DAQmx.
Linux® is the registered trademark of Linus Torvalds in the U.S. and other countries. Skyler samuels photos.