Doug53

Thanks all.  Very informative

Ken, Thanks for the response.  It would seem that most of these microcontrollers or regular PLCs need proprietary software to read and write to them.   If I want to communicate with a PLC would a DB9 or USB be the most common?  I have tried to communicate with an old micro plc at home (micrologix 1761-L20BWB-5A).  I was successful after downloading the software which was another difficult experience in itself.  I got interested in this after seeing articles and books saying that I could use visual basic to read and write to a PLC, but have not been successful at this as it seems most PLCs need a DLL file or driver for the individual plc.   Is this correct?  Or is this the topic of another forum?

Do most microplcs have a DB9 (RS232) port?  Even other non Rockwell PLCs.  What is the most common port for communications?  I am a newbe and have a Need toKnow. 

Do most microplcs have a DB9 (RS232) port?  Even other non Rockwell PLCs.  What is the most common port for communications?

Thank you guys for your response.  But I think I still have a problem.  I am trying to program an old MicroLogix 1761-L20BWB-5A.  It seems that the different softwares were made for being on different PCs.  Like I said above I seem to be only able to load One of each softwares on one of each of my two different machines.  Each of the softwares will not load on the other PC. I believe it is a compatibility problem.  There is a table to find the correct software  It seems that if you have a 64Bit machine then it is difficult to use these machines with windows 7.  Some people say they have used RSLogix 8.40 but I have not been able to find it or download it .  Can anyone tell me where I can download it?

Hello, Can anyone tell me what to do if I'm trying to download either RSLinx or RS Logix 500 (Micro Starter Lite) to have on computer with both softwares?  Ive gone to Rockwell webstite and it doesn't seem to have this free download anymore. I was using an old Dell with XP it crapped out. 1.  I have one laptop with win7, Professional, SP1 (64bit),with RSLinx 2.57 on it. 2.  I have another laptop with win 7 HP, SP1 (32bit), with RS Logix Micro Starter Lite (8.30) on it. 

Hello, I am not a experienced programmer but have been trying to learn to use an old micrologix 1761-L20bwb controller.  I have been writing and downloading programs until recently.  I was messing around with a simple stoplight program when all of a sudden the plc would not program and I was not able to edit the existing program.  I also noticed the plc lights were only in the run mode where I was before had both lights (run, rem) on.  I have read that I need to be in REM/RUN to program.  Is this correct?  I have tried resetting power nothing happens.  Can someone tell me that I haven't got a ruined PLC?  And what I could do?  I am using RSLogix Classic Lite and RSLinx with windows XP.

Hello, I am a new rslogix and visual basic user.  I am trying to write a visual basic 6 (will upgrade later) program to communicate with a ladder logix program (rslogix 500/rslinx 2.57) to control a micrologix 1761 microcontroller.  I want to build and control a start/stop switch for any output.  Easy enough in rslogix.  But what I want to do is create an HMI in visual basic and have it control the switch.  I have loaded mscomm32 but what I don't seem to understand is how the visual basic program is going to communicate with the rslogix or rslinx.  Do the button programs in visual basic need to show the bit storage places in rslogix.  If so how is this set up?  Can someone enlighten me?  PS be easy on me as I am an old man and it takes me some time to understand.

Hello, I am a new rslogix and visual basic user.  I am trying to write a visual basic 6 (will upgrade later) program to communicate with a ladder logix program (rslogix 500/rslinx 2.57) to control a micrologix 1761 microcontroller.  I want to build and control a start/stop switch for any output.  Easy enough in rslogix.  But what I want to do is create an HMI in visual basic and have it control the switch.  I have loaded mscomm32 but what I don't seem to understand is how the visual basic program is going to communicate with the rslogix or rslinx.  Do the button programs in visual basic need to show the bit storage places in rslogix.  If so how is this set up?  Can someone enlighten me?  PS be easy on me as I am an old man and it takes me some time to understand.

Can anyone tell me which version of RSLinx Classic Lite would be supported on a computer with XP Pro sp3? 

Thanks for your help (TWControls).  I have downloaded RSLogix Micro Starter Lite (8.30) and tried to install it on my laptop.  It seems to hangup at the setup.  I believe it might have something to do with my operating system.  I am running win 7 (64 bit edition).  It seems it might just be compatible on the 32 bit windows 7.  My laptop installs the RSLinx 2.57.  I have a old Dell with win XP Pro SP 3 and I can install The RSLogix Micro Starter Lite (8.30) but not the RSLinx 2.57.  The Dell may be missing a video driver needed.  Can't seem to get both software packages  my on one computer.  When I try to install RSLinx 2.57 on the DELL with XP it says that I need windows installer 3.1.  I read an article that said I would be pulling my hair out with this.  I haven't even started to program yet.  I am a power engineer and thought I would like to learn this but so far I can't even get started.  If you have anymore suggestions they will be greatly appreciated.  Thanks again.  

Yes I can now download software but seems that Rockwell doesn't support RSLogix Micro starter that goes with a 1761.  At least I havent got it yet?

Seems as though Rockwell International will not let me download free software anymore unless I am working for a contracted company.

It is dated June 23, 2009.  Kind of old?!  Can you direct  me? (TWControls) I don't see free stuff on ab.com for Micrologix 500.  I did download linx 2.57 (I have win 7 & XP Pro) from there,  but I need the Programming software.  Do you have any idea which file I should download?  Hopefully free stuff?    I have a Micrologix 1761-L20BWB-5A that I want to learn to program.

Hi All,   I am new to MicroControllers and have tried to install RSLogix MicroLite.Zip that I down loaded from here on my windows 7 PC.  I have been able to install RSLinx 2.57 which I downloaded from ab.com.  When I try to run the setup, Installshield wizard just sits there trying to install.  Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!