This month Rockwell released a new compatability matrix for Windows XP Service Pack 2 that I would like to summarize for you. Rockwell has also released version 2.43 of RSLinx, and there are a few differences. Recall that RSLinx is communication software that allows RSLogix or RSView to communicate to your PLC's.

Disclaimer: Although I have made efforts to ensure this document is correct, it is your responsibiltiy to prove the accuracy of all information in this document before invoking it in any way. Especially when damage to personnel or machinery could result.

<< RSLinx >>
For RSLinx 2.42 — (This version has been out for a very long time):

To get this version to work properly in Service Pack 2 (For all features), you must reconfigure the firewall, and utilize a 19 step procedure to reconfigure security on DCOM. This procedure is outlined at the following URL:
http://domino.automation.rockwell.com/applications/kb/RAKB.nsf/6ead4531e08f2074852569bb007630d5/5e204336f655b01985256e78006cdfc6?OpenDocument
(Be sure that entire URL is included in your path if you need the procedure) RSLinx Version 2.43 is the officially supported version

<< RSLogix >>
The officially supported versions of RSLogix 5/500/5000 are yet to be determined by Rockwell, but here is what I have seen myself:

I haven't experienced much trouble with RSLogix 5 and 500 under service pack 2 as of yet, however, Version 13 of RSLogix 5000 (For ControlLogix) seems to be unstable. In the last couple weeks of class, members of the class experienced several crashes of RSLogix 5000, and the inability to copy and paste at times.

<< RSView >>
The officially supported version of RSView under Windows XP Service pack 2 is 7.10. I have not had any experience with this version of RSView, but in the classroom, version 6.3 seemed to work well also. If using RSView in a production environment, you will want the officially supported version, though.

Summary of changed made to RSLinx 2.43 that may affect you:
RSLinx now supports the 1756-DH485 module. This module is another method by which the ControlLogix system can communicate with older SLC systems.

RSLinx now supports the 1747-UIC. Some of you have been using the 1747-PIC to connect from your serial port to a 5/01, 5/02, or 5/03 processor. The 1747-PIC is a legacy device, and many new laptops do not have serial ports. The 1747-UIC is the USB version (and a replacement) for the legacy PIC module.

Support has been added for the 1756-ENB. This is a redundant Ethernet module for ControlLogix.

Several enhancements have been added for OPC/DDE as well.

Of the known anomalies in version 2.43, one might affect most everyone: If an autoconfig fails on the DF1 driver, it may succeed if the processor is in program mode. A big disadvantage to this is that if you put the processor in program mode, your process is no longer running! A better solution might be to look at the offline project for the processor to see how channel 0 is configured, and manually adjust the driver accordingly.

As of version 2.31, Windows 95 is NOT supported.
If you are running Windows NT, service pack 6 or later is recommended, however, I believe Microsoft is ending support for Windows NT within a few days (December 31, 2004).

If you upgrade to Windows 2000 from Windows NT, you may experience trouble with the 1784-KT(x) because of the way these devices obtain resources. New Mainboards no longer have ISA ports anyway, so the 1784-PKTX (PCI version) is a better solution)