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<metadesc>Communicate over USB with sensors, controllers and relays with Phidgets! Program in Windows using a wide variety of programming languages.</metadesc>
[[Category:OS]]
[[Category:OS]]
{{OSLang|[[File:icon-Windows.png|64x64px|link=OS - Windows]]|Windows, Phidgets can be either plugged directly into a USB Port or run over a network using the [[#WebService | WebService]].
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__TOC__
==Getting Started with Windows==
Welcome to using Phidgets with Windows!


Phidgets are designed to run on '''Windows 2000 or newer''', on both 32 and 64-bit systems.
If you are ready to go, the first step in creating Windows applications with Phidgets is installing our libraries.
|{{TOC limit|3}}
|}
===Install===
To install our libraries, download the installer for your system:
*[https://cdn.phidgets.com/downloads/phidget22/libraries/windows/Phidget22-x86.exe 32-bit Installer Download]
*[https://cdn.phidgets.com/downloads/phidget22/libraries/windows/Phidget22-x64.exe 64-bit Installer Download]


==Getting Started (Libraries and Drivers)==
Before installing our libraries, be sure to read our [[Software License]]. If you need to access an old version of the drivers, [https://www.phidgets.com/downloads/phidget22/libraries/windows/ click here].


If this is your first Phidget, we highly recommend working through the Getting Started guide [[Device List|for your specific Phidget device]]. If you already have the [[File:Ph.jpg]] icon in your task bar and know how to use it, then you've already followed the guide and are ready to learn more about the control panel, the Phidget WebService, and more - all specific to Windows.
When prompted, continue with the installation:
[[image:Windows_Install.png|link=|center]]


If you are already a pro, and just want the drivers:


*[http://www.phidgets.com/downloads/libraries/Phidget-x86_2.1.8.20111028.exe 32 Bit]
The libraries are now installed on your machine. Next, let's verify that they are working properly.
*[http://www.phidgets.com/downloads/libraries/Phidget-x64_2.1.8.20111028.exe 64 Bit]


''For instructions on installing our libraries without an installer, check out the [[OS - Windows Advanced Information]] page.''


For special cases where you want to install the Phidget libraries without the installer, please see the [[#Advanced Uses | Advanced Uses]] section.
===Verify===
*[http://www.phidgets.com/downloads/libraries/Phidget21-windevel_2.1.8.20110615.zip Phidget21 Libraries] (32-Bit and 64-Bit development files without an installer)
The best way to verify that your libraries are working properly is to use the Phidget Control Panel. The control panel is a powerful tool that will help you develop your Phidgets applications. Get started by following the instructions below:
*[http://www.phidgets.com/Drivers_Info.html#windows Software License]


===Installing===


The Phidget installer requires that your system has .NET framework 2.0 or higher. The .NET framework can be downloaded from [http://www.microsoft.com/net Microsoft]. If you do not have the .NET framework 2.0 or later installed, you can still use Phidgets. However, you won't be able to use the installer, and will have to manually install the Phidget libraries. Please see the [[#Advanced Uses | Advanced Uses]] section.
Find the  [[File:Ph.jpg|link=]] icon in the taskbar. If it is not there, open up the start menu and search for ''Phidget Control Panel''
[[File:Windows PhidgetTaskbar.PNG|link=|center]]


To install the libraries, follow these steps:


1. Download one of the Phidget installer for your system, depending on whether your system is 32 or 64-bit.
Next, double-click on the Phidgets icon to bring up the Phidget Control Panel. You can now see all the Phidgets that are plugged into your machine, as well as any Phidgets that are on the network:
*[http://www.phidgets.com/downloads/libraries/Phidget-x86_2.1.8.20120216.exe 32-bit]
[[File:Windows ControlPanel General.PNG|link=|alt=Windows Control Panel General|center]]
*[http://www.phidgets.com/downloads/libraries/Phidget-x64_2.1.8.20120216.exe 64-bit]


2. Open up the installer, and proceed through the wizard.


[[File:Windows Install.PNG|link=|alt=Windows Install]]
Click on the '''+''' beside a device to expand it so that you can see all available channels. Double-click on one of these channels to open up a window that lets you interact with it.:
[[File:Controlpanel_openapplication.png|500px|link=|alt=Windows Control Panel General|center]]


Please note that by default, the installer places the [[#Description of Installer files | Phidget libraries]] in {{Code|C:\Program Files\Phidgets}}.


3. Once the installation is complete, you are ready to program with Phidgets. To find out what files got installed, please see [[#Description of Installer files | Description of Installer files]] in the Appendix section.
The Phidget Control Panel can be used for testing devices, updating firmware, enabling a Phidget Network Server, and more! Visit the [[Phidget Control Panel|Phidget Control Panel page]] for more information.


Next, the Phidget Control Panel will be discussed.


====Phidget Control Panel====
Your Phidget is now able to communicate with your development machine. The next step is selecting a programming language so you can start to write some code!


The Phidget Control Panel is a tool to quickly determine whether your system is able to communicate with Phidgets, and also act as a debugging tool.
==Programming==
Ready to write some code? Select one of the programming languages below:


Once the Phidget libraries are installed using the installer, you should see the [[File:Ph.jpg]] icon in the taskbar. Double click on it to bring up the Phidget Control Panel. If the icon does not appear, just find and open the Phidget Control Panel from the start menu.
{{Programming_Languages_Table}}


[[File:Windows ControlPanel General.PNG|link=|alt=Windows Control Panel General]]
==Advanced Information==


The general tab shows the list of Phidgets currently physically attached to the computer. You can also view the currently installed Phidget library version, as well as having the checkbox option to choose whether the Phidget Control Panel is to be started up automatically once Windows boots up. You can double click on a Phidget device in the Phidget Control Panel to open up an example program for the device.
For information on advanced Windows topics, such as installing our libraries without an installer, installing our libraries without an internet connection, or using Windows in a Virtual Machine, check our page on [[OS - Windows Advanced Information|Windows Advanced Information]]
 
[[File:Windows ControlPanel Example.PNG|link=|alt=Windows Control Panel Example]]
 
In the above screenshot, the RFID example was opened. These examples are intended for demonstration and debugging purposes. If you have not yet already, please see the '''Getting Started''' guide [[Device List|for your device]]. It is important to keep in mind that when an example Phidget application is opened from the Phidget Control Panel or opened from any of your Phidget applications that you develop, it holds a lock on the Phidget. This prevents any other program from accessing the Phidget. Please ensure that this example application is closed(the Phidget Control Panel can still be running) when you are running your own applications. 
 
The next tab is the {{Code|WebService}} tab, which allows you to control Phidgets over a network. There are four sub-tabs. The first sub-tab is the {{Code|Setup}} tab.
 
[[File:Windows ControlPanel WebService Setup Running.PNG|link=|alt=Windows Control Panel WebService Setup]]
 
Here, you can start and stop the WebService. Details are provided in the [[#WebService | WebService]] section. You can also determine whether the Phidget WebService is currently running. There is also a check box that you can select to turn on verbose output, which will display useful troubleshooting information for the WebService.
 
The next sub-tab is the {{Code|Output}} tab, which provides useful debugging information while you are using the WebService. This tab will only show up if the verbose output option is selected in the previous tab.
 
[[File:Windows ControlPanel WebService Output.PNG|link=|alt=Windows Control Panel WebService Output]]
 
The {{Code|Dictionary}} sub-tab comes next; it lists all the key-value pairs that gets created when the WebService runs. More information is provided in the [[General Phidget Programming#Using the Dictionary|Dictionary]] section of the [[General Phidget Programming|General Phidget Programming]] page.
 
[[File:Windows ControlPanel WebService Dictionary.PNG|link=|alt=Windows Control WebService Dictionary]]
 
The {{Code|Bonjour}} sub-tab gives a list of all currently attached Phidgets that are connected to the WebService. This tab will only appear if you have [http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/bonjourforwindows.html Bonjour] installed onto your system. You can also double click on the Phidget to connect to it over the network using one or more computers, but still use the Phidget on the computer it is directly connected to.
 
[[File:Windows ControlPanel WebService Bonjour.PNG|link=|alt=Windows Control Panel WebService Bonjour]]
 
The last tab is the {{Code|PhidgetSBC}} tab, which displays the complete list of any PhidgetSBCs connected to the network. This tab will be enabled if you have [http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/bonjourforwindows.html Bonjour] installed onto your system.
 
[[File:Windows ControlPanel WebService PhidgetSBC.PNG|link=|alt=Windows Control Panel WebService PhidgetSBC]]
 
You can double click on the PhidgetSBC to bring up the PhidgetSBC Administration Console log-in page in your default browser.
 
[[File:PhidgetSBCAdminConsole.PNG|link=|alt=PhidgetSBC Admin Console]]
 
The PhidgetSBC Administration Console is where you can go to configure the PhidgetSBC. For more details, please see the [[1072 0 - Getting Started | PhidgetSBC]] section.
 
===Checking===
 
To confirm the libraries were installed and work correctly, you can check both the hardware and software components of the interface. It is worth checking the software side first, because if it works then you know the hardware side is also okay.
 
====Software====
 
If you have the Phidgets library installed on your system, you can verify that the software side component is working by seeing if a Phidget device is listed in the {{Code|General}} tab of the Phidget Control Panel.
 
[[File:Windows_ControlPanel_General.PNG|link=|alt=Windows Control Panel General]]
 
The above screenshot shows that a PhidgetRFID and a PhidgetInterfaceKit are attached to the computer. If you see your Phidget in the list, you can continue to the [[#Programming Languages | programming languages]] section to learn more. If you are not able to see that the Phidget is in the list, there may be a hardware issue. Please see the [[#Hardware| hardware]] section for more details.
 
====Hardware====
 
You can verify that your computer detects that the Phidget is plugged in through a USB connection by going to the Windows Device Manager.
On Windows XP, you can access the Device Manager by accessing the start menu, right clicking on {{Code|Computer}} and selecting {{Code|Properties}}. Next, select {{Code|Advanced System Settings}} to open up a new Window. Here, open up the {{Code|Hardware}} tab and select {{Code|Device Manager}}. The Device Manager window will open. 
 
[[File:Windows7 DeviceManager.PNG|link=|alt=Windows Device Manager]]
 
Under the {{Code|Human Interface Devices}} heading, you can view whether your computer detects that the Phidget is connected through the USB if it is in the list. There should be a {{Code|HID-compliant device}} and a {{Code|USB Input Device}} entry for every Phidget that is attached to the computer. Please note that there is currently no way of directly determining which entry belongs to which Phidget. A simple way of verifying which entry belongs to which Phidget is to simply connect or disconnect the Phidget from the USB port of the computer. The list will automatically refresh to show the updated list of all connected USB devices.
 
If you don't see the Phidget in the list, then take a look at the [[#Troubleshooting|troubleshooting]] section below, as well as the '''Communications''' section of our [[General Troubleshooting#Communications Troubleshooting|general troubleshooting page]].
 
====Troubleshooting====
 
If the examples '''do not''' work but USB '''does''' work (i.e. your computer can consistently see the device in the [[#Hardware|hardware]]), take a moment to check the basics:
* You are using Windows 2000 or newer.
* The Phidget Control Panel requires that you have .NET framework 2.0 or newer.
* No other programs, drivers, or processes are using that USB port in software. Some drivers or software will sometimes mistakenly claim Phidget devices when waiting on some hardware to be connected. Please see the section: [[Communication Protocols#Issue: Some third party software prevents communications with Phidgets|third party software prevents communications with Phidgets]] for more information.
* The Phidget libraries are the latest version (visit the [[#Getting Started (Libraries and Drivers)| getting started section]] to download them)
* Check the [[#Common Problems and Solutions|common problems]] section below, some specific combinations can cause problems
 
If your problem doesn't seem to be fixed by these steps, make sure that the Phidget is seen '''consistently''' by USB (if it is erratic, try our [[General Troubleshooting|general troubleshooting guide]]).  If you are still having problems after using the troubleshooting guide, please [[Contact Information|ask us]]!
 
==Programming Languages==
 
Phidgets’ philosophy is that you do not have to be an electrical engineer in order to do projects that use devices like sensors, motors, motor controllers, and interface boards. All you need to know is how to program.
 
After you have installed the drivers above, you should pick a programming language, install libraries, and run the examples for that specific language. You can learn more about what is needed to program in a particular language by choosing the language of your preference below. If you need help choosing a language, please look at the [[Software Overview#Language Support |language comparison table]].
 
On Windows, we recommend the following languages:
 
*[[Language - C Sharp|C#]]
*[[Language - C/C++|C/C++]]
*[[Language - Flash AS3|Flash AS3]]
*[[Language - Java|Java]]
*[[Language - LabVIEW|LabView]]
*[[Language - Max/MSP|Max/MSP]]
*[[Language - Python|Python]]
*[[Language - Visual Basic .NET|Visual Basic .NET]]
*[[Language - Visual Basic 6.0|Visual Basic 6.0]]
 
You can also use these languages, but they do not support [[General Phidget Programming#Event Driven Code | event driven code]], and must use [[General Phidget Programming#Logic Code | logic code]] only:
 
*[[Language - MATLAB|MATLAB]]
*[[Language - Simulink|Simulink]]
 
The following languages are also supported, but due to a lack of demand, the full API is not implemented. Please refer to the specific language for more information on what features are unsupported.
*[[Language - Adobe Director|Adobe Director]]
*[[Language - AutoIt|AutoIt]]
*[[Language - Delphi|Delphi]]
*[[Language - LiveCode|LiveCode]]
*[[Language - Visual Basic for Applications|Visual Basic for Applications]]
*[[Language - Visual Basic Script|Visual Basic Script]]
 
==WebService==
 
The Phidget WebService allows you to remotely control a Phidget over a network. For more information, please see the [[Phidget WebService|Phidget WebService]]  page.
 
Drivers for the Phidget WebService on Windows are already included in the [[#Getting Started (Libraries and Drivers) | Drivers]] above. If you have a [[File:Ph.jpg]] icon in your taskbar, you already have the WebService drivers installed.
 
There are two ways that you can connect to a Phidget hosted on another computer. The first method is by using the IP address/host name and port of the host computer. The second method makes the use of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multicast_DNS mDNS], which allows Phidgets to be found and opened on the network by a server id instead of an IP address/host name. When using a server id, both the client and server will need to be running an implementation of zero configuration networking. The Phidget WebService takes advantage of the [http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/bonjourforwindows.html Bonjour] software. It is a tool, developed by Apple to locate devices such as Phidgets, and printers. You will have to install Bonjour onto your system to use the second method.
 
This section helps you install, check, and use the WebService on Windows, but we also have an overview of the [[Phidget WebService]] in general.
 
===Turning the WebService On and Off===
 
There are two methods that can be used to turn the WebService on and off. The first method is through the Phidget Control Panel. In the {{Code|WebService}} tab, you can start, restart or stop the WebService. You can also choose to have the WebService start up automatically upon Windows boot up by selecting {{Code|Automatic}} as the {{Code|Startup Type}}. By leaving the {{Code|Startup Type}} as {{Code|Manual}}, you will have to manually turn the WebService on everytime you wish to use it.
 
[[File:Windows ControlPanel WebService Setup Stopped.PNG|link=|alt=Windows Control Panel WebService Setup]]
 
The second method of turning the WebService on and off is through command line. If you used our installer, the WebService utility is automatically installed in {{Code|C:\Program Files\Phidgets\PhidgetWebservice21.exe}}. Otherwise, if you wish to manually install the {{Code|PhidgetWebservice21.exe}}, you can place it anywhere on your system, and navigate to it in command line.
 
You can get command line help with {{Code|PhidgetWebservice21.exe}} using the {{Code|-h}} option:
 
<div class="source">
<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
PhidgetWebservice21 -h
</syntaxhighlight>
 
<syntaxhighlight lang=text>
'phidgetwebservice21' is a Phidget and Dictionary server from Phidgets Inc. See www.phidgets.com for more information.
Usage: phidgetwebservice21 [OPTION]
All parameters are optional. The default parameters are: port=5001, ServerName=(Computer Name) and no password
 
Options:
  -p      Port
  -n      Server Name
  -P      Password
  -v      Debug mode
  -h      Display this help
</syntaxhighlight>
</div>
 
Mapping out which command line options to which Phidget Control Panel option is as follows:
 
-p: {{Code|Port}} field
 
-n: {{Code|ServerID}} field
 
-P: {{Code|Password}} field
 
-v: {{Code|Enable verbose output}} checkbox
 
 
To find the host name and IP address of  your computer, open up the command line prompt.
*For the default server name, type {{Code|hostname}}.
*For your IP address, type {{Code|ipconfig -all}}.
**A line in the return text, will say something like {{Code|192.168.2.198}}, which is your IP.
 
Here are some usage examples.  The Windows command line is used. Traverse to the Phidget installation directory(by default, it is located in {{Code|C:\Program Files\Phidgets}}).
 
To start the WebService with default parameters:
<div class="source">
<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
PhidgetWebservice21.exe
</syntaxhighlight>
</div>
 
To start the WebService with a server name of {{Code|myServer}}:
<div class="source">
<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
PhidgetWebservice21.exe -n myServer
</syntaxhighlight>
</div>
 
To stop the WebService, simply close the command line window or press {{Code|Ctrl}} and {{Code|c}} at the same time in the command line window.
 
===Using the WebService===
 
To use a Phidget over the WebService, you'll want to:
* Have two different computers connected to the same network. We will call the computer that has the Phidget directly connected to the USB port the host. The client will be the computer that runs a Phidget application to connect to the Phidget attached to the host. Please note that if you only have a single computer, you can also connect to the Phidget over the WebService. The computer will simply act as both a host and client. This will allow you to bypass the [[General Phidget Programming # Details for Open() | one application per Phidget limitation]].
 
* Start the WebService on the computer that directly connects to the Phidget
* Run your program on the remote computer that will control the Phidget over the network
 
The easiest way to test these steps on Windows is [http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/bonjourforwindows.html download] and install Bonjour onto both the host and client. Next, we will set up the WebService and run the Phidget program on the client. Please follow these steps:
 
1. On the host, open up the Phidget Control Panel and traverse to the {{Code|Setup}} tab of the {{Code|WebService}} section.
 
[[File:Windows ControlPanel WebService Setup Stopped.PNG|link=|alt=Windows Control Panel WebService Setup Stopped]]
 
2. Leave all fields the way they are, and click on {{Code|Start}} to run the WebService.
 
3. You can determine that the WebService is running by looking at the WebService status at the bottom of the window.
 
[[File:Windows ControlPanel WebService Setup Running.PNG|link=|alt=Windows Control Panel WebService Setup Running]]
 
4. Ensure that the Phidget is plugged in to the host.
 
5. On the client's Phidget Control Panel, open up the {{Code|Bonjour}} tab in the {{Code|WebService}} section. You will see the Phidget that is plugged into the host as one of the entries listed. Double click it to open the example application.
 
[[File:Windows ControlPanel WebService Bonjour Running.PNG|link=|alt=Windows Control Panel WebService Bonjour]]
 
6. The example application will open up, and you will be able to communicate with the Phidget over the WebService.
 
[[File:Windows ControlPanel Example.PNG|link=|alt=Windows Control Panel Example]]
 
7. You can confirm that the WebService was indeed behind this exchange by terminating the WebService process while still allowing the remote program to run. On the host's Phidget Control Panel, traverse to the {{Code|Setup}} tab of the {{Code|WebService}} section. Hit {{Code|Stop}} to terminate the WebService.
 
[[File:Windows ControlPanel WebService Setup Running.PNG|link=|alt=Windows Control Panel WebService Setup Running]]
 
8. Take a look at the example application on the client. Since the application can no longer connect to the WebService, the attached state of the Phidget is false.
 
[[File:Windows ControlPanel WebService Example Disconnected.PNG|link=|alt=Windows Control Panel WebService Example while WebService Stopped]]
 
===Debugging the WebService===
 
In addition to enabling [[General Phidget Programming#Logging|logging]] in your Phidget code, you can get additional debugging information from the WebService itself.  This additional debugging can be enabled from the {{Code|Enable verbose output}} checkbox in the Phidget Control Panel.
 
[[File:Windows ControlPanel WebService Setup Running.PNG|link=|alt=Windows Control Panel WebService Setup]]
 
The debugging information is shown in the {{Code|Output}} tab.
 
[[File:Windows ControlPanel WebService Output Running.PNG|link=|alt=Windows Control Panel WebService Output Running]]
 
If you are using the command line approach to start the WebService, debug information is enabled by specifying the {{Code|-v}} option:
 
<div class="source">
<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
PhidgetWebservice21.exe -v -n "myServer"
</syntaxhighlight>
</div>
 
The debugging information is shown command line output. This will prove useful when debugging WebService problems.
 
==Advanced Uses==
 
===Manual File Installation===
 
The Phidget installer installs the most commonly used files onto your system. However, there may be special cases where you want to install the Phidget libraries without the installers. This section will describe the purpose of the most important files file and cover how to manually install and distribute the libraries with your code. You can get the files [http://www.phidgets.com/downloads/libraries/Phidget21-windevel_2.1.8.20110615.zip here].
 
====Description of Library files====
 
* <b>{{Code|phidget21.dll}}</b> contains the actual Phidget library, which is used at run-time.  It is placed in {{Code|C:\Windows\System32}}.
* <b>{{Code|PhidgetWebService21.exe}}</b> is used to control Phidgets remotely across a network using the [[#WebService | PhidgetWebservce]].
* <b>{{Code|phidget21.lib}}</b> is used by your compiler to link to the dll.  Your compiler has to know where this file is, by default our installer puts {{Code|phidget21.lib}} into {{Code|C:\Program Files\Phidgets}}, so you can either point your compiler to that location, or copy and link to it in a directory for your project workspace. {{Code|phidget21.lib}} is written to be compatible with most compilers - but your specific compiler may need a different format. Check our documentation for your specific compiler for details. Please note that we provide versions of the {{Code|phidget21.lib}} that are specifically optimized for 32-bit or 64-bit systems. If you are using a 64 bit versions of Windows, the {{Code|phidget21.lib}} is placed in {{Code|C:\Program Files\Phidgets}}; The 32 bit version of {{Code|phidget21.lib}} is placed in {{Code|C:\Program Files\Phidgets\x86}}.
* <b>{{Code|phidget21.h}}</b> lists all the Phidget API function calls available to your code.  Your compiler also has to know where this file is.  By default, our installer puts {{Code|phidget21.h}} into {{Code|C:\Program Files\Phidgets}} so you can either point your compiler to that location, or copy and link to it in a directory for your project workspace.
* <b>{{Code|Phidget21.NET.dll}}</b> is the Phidgets library for .NET framework 2.0 or greater. Any .NET language can be used, including [[Language - C Sharp | C#]]  , and [[Language - Visual Basic .NET | Visual Basic .NET]].
* <b>{{Code|Phidget21.NET1.1.dll}}</b> is the Phidgets library for .NET framework 1.1. Any .NET language can be used, including [[Language - C Sharp | C#]]  , and [[Language - Visual Basic .NET | Visual Basic .NET]].
* <b>{{Code|Phidget21COM.dll}}</b> is the Component Object Model(COM) library and provides your project access to the Phidget ActiveX objects. This libraries is used by the [[Language - Adobe Director|AdobeDirector]], [[Language - AutoIt|AutoIT]], [[Language - Delphi|Delphi]], [[Language -  Visual Basic 6.0|Visual Basic 6.0]], [[Language - Visual Basic for Applications|Visual Basic for Applications]], [[Language - Visual Basic Script|Visual Basic Script]].
 
=====Special Cases of Library Install=====
 
Regardless of what language you will be using to program Phidgets, you will need the {{Code|phidget21.dll}} placed in the {{Code|C:\WINDOWS\system32}} directory. Additional files are needed for the language that you choose. Please refer to the documentation provided by your [[Device List|language]] to determine what files are needed and the steps needed to install them onto your system.
 
You can find the {{Code|phidget21.dll}} in the link below:
 
*[http://www.phidgets.com/downloads/libraries/Phidget21-windevel_2.1.8.20110615.zip Phidget21 Libraries] (32-Bit and 64-Bit development files without an installer)
 
{{Code|PhidgetWebService21.exe}} is also provided in the link above.
 
===Windows in a Virtual Machine===
 
Phidgets can also be used inside a virtual machine. Instructions for VMWare and VirtualBox are provided below. Virtual PC is not supported as USB Phidgets requires a virtual platform that supports HID USB Devices and since Virtual PC does not support HID USB devices, Phidgets may not be used.
 
As always, please ensure that you have the latest Phidget [[#Getting Started (Libraries and Drivers) | drivers]] installed on the virtual machine and that you are using the latest version of your virtual software.
 
<b>VMWare:</b>
 
To enable USB Phidgets, select Virtual Machine -> Removable Devices -> and select the Phidget Input Device -> Connect.
 
<b>VirtualBox</b>
 
To enable USB Phidgets, VirtualBox Guest Additions(Devices -> Install Guest Additions) may need to be installed. Afterwards, click on Devices -> USB Devices and select the Phidget device to enable. The state should go from Busy to Captured. VirtualBox may bring up a new hardware wizard in the host operating system, which has to be installed. Please note that Phidgets with USB hubs(i.e, [[Product - 1019 1 - PhidgetInterfaceKit 8/8/8 w/6 Port Hub|1019]]), are undetectable; Fortunately, Phidgets that are attached to such Phidgets are detectable.
 
==Common Problems and Solutions==
 
===Issue: Projects are not working after a Phidget21 reinstall===
Affected Operating Systems: '''Windows'''
 
Solution: You need to reset your references and library paths.  When you reinstall the Phidgets drivers all of the old paths can get broken.  Make sure that you are including the right header files and that you have referenced the right libraries and that should fix the problem.
 
===Issue: A corrupt installation fails on uninstall or repair===
Affected Operating Systems: '''Windows'''
 
Solution: If the normal uninstall fails, or for whatever reason, you can choose to remove the Phidget drivers manually.
Please perform the following:
# Shut down any programs using the Phidget libraries, including the WebService and the Phidget Control Panel.
# Delete {{Code|C:\Program Files\Phidgets\}}
# Remove the Phidgets key from the Registry {{Code|[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services PhidgetWebService21]}}.
 
In most cases this is enough to get the installer working again. If you need to remove all traces of the Phidgets libraries manually, perform the following additional steps:
 
# Unregister the COM library: {{Code|regsvr32 /u "C:\Program Files\Phidgets\Phidget21COM.dll"}}.
# Remove {{Code|Phidget21.NET}} and {{Code|Policy.2.1.Phidget21.NET}} from {{Code|C:\Windows\Assembly\}}.
# Delete {{Code|C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Phidgets}} if you are  using WindowsXP or {{Code|C:\Users\All Users\Phidgets}} if you are using Windows Vista.
# Delete {{Code|C:\Windows\system32\phidget21.dll}}.
# Delete Phidgets from the start menu.
# Search for and remove keys mentioning Phidgets from the registry in the following locations:
#* {{Code|[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\]}}
#* {{Code|[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Installer\Products\]}}
#* {{Code|[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\.NETFramework\AssemblyFolders\Phidgets Inc]}}
#* {{Code|[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\Phidget21Manager]}}
#* {{Code|[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Installer\Assemblies\Global\]}}
# Reboot
 
'''NOTE:''' You can go through the registry and purge any other keys mentioning Phidgets if you still have problems, but at this point you should be able to reinstall under most cases. There will also be keys relating to the installer, the .NET library and the COM library, but they should not interfere with anything.
 
===Issue: Event data is sporadic/slow/clumped over the WebService===
Affected Operating Systems: '''Windows'''
 
Windows implements 200ms delayed ACKs for network traffic. When traffic is one-way only - as it is with event data, the data will all arrive in clumps every 200ms because of delayed ACKs.
 
This can be a great drawback for applications which rely on low latency event data over the network. (source: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/214397)
 
This delayed ACK behavior can be disabled in windows to decrease event latency as documented here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/328890
 
In the future, the Phidgets library may implement this differently, but so far we have been unable to match the performance achieved by disabling delayed ACK.
 
===Issue: Windows XP "mode" in Windows 7 does not work with Phidgets===
Affected Operating Systems: '''Windows''' (running XP in included XP mode)
 
Although XP supports some USB devices, its overall device support is spotty.  If you need to run XP within a virtual machine, Phidgets work under both VMWare and VirtualBox - the two main virtual machine programs.  However, this means you will need to own a copy of Windows XP to install into the virtual machine.
 
==Appendix==
 
===Description of Installer files===
 
Here is the list of files and their description for each file the installer puts onto your system.
* <b>{{Code|phidget21.dll}}</b> contains the actual Phidget library, which is used at run-time.  It is also placed in {{Code|C:\Windows\System32}}.
* <b>{{Code|PhidgetWebService21.exe}}</b> is used to control Phidgets remotely across a network using the [[#WebService | PhidgetWebservce]].
* <b>{{Code|PhidgetWindowsService21.exe}}</b> is a Windows service that controls {{Code|PhidgetWebService21.exe}}.
* <b>{{Code|phidget21.lib}}</b> is used by your compiler to link to the dll.  Your compiler has to know where this file is, by default our installer puts {{Code|phidget21.lib}} into {{Code|C:\Program Files\Phidgets}}, so you can either point your compiler to that location, or copy and link to it in a directory for your project workspace. {{Code|phidget21.lib}} is written to be compatible with most compilers - but your specific compiler may need a different format. Check our documentation for your specific compiler for details. Please note that we provide versions of the {{Code|phidget21.lib}} that are specifically optimized for 32-bit or 64-bit systems. If you are using a 64 bit versions of Windows, the {{Code|phidget21.lib}} is placed in {{Code|C:\Program Files\Phidgets}}; The 32 bit version of {{Code|phidget21.lib}} is placed in {{Code|C:\Program Files\Phidgets\x86}}.
* <b>{{Code|phidget21.h}}</b> lists all the Phidget API function calls available to your code.  Your compiler also has to know where this file is.  By default, our installer puts {{Code|phidget21.h}} into {{Code|C:\Program Files\Phidgets}} so you can either point your compiler to that location, or copy and link to it in a directory for your project workspace.
* <b>{{Code|phidget21.jar}}</b> is an archive containing the Phidgets library, used by the [[Language -  Java | Java]] programming language.
* <b>{{Code|Phidget21.NET.dll}}</b> is the Phidgets library for .NET framework 2.0 or greater. Any .NET language can be used, including [[Language - C Sharp | C#]]  , and [[Language - Visual Basic .NET | Visual Basic .NET]].
* <b>{{Code|Phidget21.NET1.1.dll}}</b> is the Phidgets library for .NET framework 1.1. Any .NET language can be used, including [[Language - C Sharp | C#]]  , and [[Language - Visual Basic .NET | Visual Basic .NET]].
* <b>{{Code|Phidget21.NET.XML}}</b> provides the IntelliSense in-line documentation for the .NET library in Visual Studio.
* <b>{{Code|Phidget21COM.dll}}</b> is the Component Object Model(COM) library and provides your project access to the Phidget ActiveX objects. This libraries is used by the [[Language - Adobe Director|AdobeDirector]], [[Language - AutoIt|AutoIT]], [[Language - Delphi|Delphi]], [[Language -  Visual Basic 6.0|Visual Basic 6.0]], [[Language - Visual Basic for Applications|Visual Basic for Applications]], [[Language - Visual Basic Script|Visual Basic Script]].
* <b>{{Code|Phidget21Manager.exe}}</b> is a tool to quickly determine whether your system is able to control Phidgets, and also act as a debugging tool.
* <b>{{Code|Examples}} folder</b> contain example applications that allows you to quickly see if your Phidget is properly configured.
* <b>{{Code|x86 folder}} folder</b> contain the 32 bit versions of {{Code|phidget21.dll}}, {{Code|phidget21.lib}}, {{Code|Phidget21COM.dll}}. These folder will only appear on 64 bit installations and is useful if you want to code against the 32 bit libraries.

Latest revision as of 21:54, 17 October 2023

Getting Started with Windows

Welcome to using Phidgets with Windows!

If you are ready to go, the first step in creating Windows applications with Phidgets is installing our libraries.

Install

To install our libraries, download the installer for your system:

Before installing our libraries, be sure to read our Software License. If you need to access an old version of the drivers, click here.

When prompted, continue with the installation:

Windows Install.png


The libraries are now installed on your machine. Next, let's verify that they are working properly.

For instructions on installing our libraries without an installer, check out the OS - Windows Advanced Information page.

Verify

The best way to verify that your libraries are working properly is to use the Phidget Control Panel. The control panel is a powerful tool that will help you develop your Phidgets applications. Get started by following the instructions below:


Find the Ph.jpg icon in the taskbar. If it is not there, open up the start menu and search for Phidget Control Panel

Windows PhidgetTaskbar.PNG


Next, double-click on the Phidgets icon to bring up the Phidget Control Panel. You can now see all the Phidgets that are plugged into your machine, as well as any Phidgets that are on the network:

Windows Control Panel General


Click on the + beside a device to expand it so that you can see all available channels. Double-click on one of these channels to open up a window that lets you interact with it.:

Windows Control Panel General


The Phidget Control Panel can be used for testing devices, updating firmware, enabling a Phidget Network Server, and more! Visit the Phidget Control Panel page for more information.


Your Phidget is now able to communicate with your development machine. The next step is selecting a programming language so you can start to write some code!

Programming

Ready to write some code? Select one of the programming languages below:

Core Languages Mobile Languages Other Languages
C Sharp C# Objective C Objective C LabVIEW LabVIEW
C/C++ C/C++ Swift Swift Max/MSP Max/MSP
Python Python Android Android Java
Java Java
Visual Basic .NET Visual Basic .NET
JavaScript JavaScript

Advanced Information

For information on advanced Windows topics, such as installing our libraries without an installer, installing our libraries without an internet connection, or using Windows in a Virtual Machine, check our page on Windows Advanced Information

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