On Monday and Tuesday we discussed how to access the “Configuration Mode” of the PanelView Plus and PanelView Plus 6. One additional way we did not yet cover is using an “autorun.bat” file on a USB Memory Stick (aka USB Thumb Drive, USB Flash Drive.)
These script are written to automatically move all your FactoryTalk View Machine Edition (ViewME) Runtime Files (.mer) off your terminal so when it's rebooted it doesn't find the needed .mer file and therefore returns to the “Configuration Mode.”
The “autorun.bat” file used for this purpose is a simple text based file reminiscent of the old DOS files of the same name.
When you place one of these files in the root folder of your USB Memory Stick, and insert it into your PVPlus, it immediately runs.
And while the commands in the “autorun.bat” file aren't limited to coping your “.mer” files to and from your USB memory stick, this is what the below samples scripts are designed to do.
The first two scripts are custom ones I created for a client with a PanelView Plus 6 firmware rev 6.0 terminal.
The first backs up all the .mer files on the terminal to the USB Memory Stick , and then deletes them from the terminal.
The second script copies all the .mer files from the USB Memory Stick back to the Terminal.
Update 08/11/15: The below scripts are now available as a bundled download here:
Update 08/11/15: I recently received a PVP7s donation (thanks RK!) and can confirm these files also work on it.
Update 08/11/15: I've added two new scripts whch have been edited to work on a PanelPlus v5.1, but I also tested them on a PanelView Plus v3.2 and they worked there as well.
PanelView Plus 6 / 7 autorun.bat file script text used to backup .mer files from the terminal to the usb memory stick, and then delete the .mer files from the terminal.
NOTE: This file was tested on a PanelView Plus 6 and PanelView Plus 7 Standard
UPDATE: The below text was updated on 08/11/2015 to correct a typo in the REMarks
echo on
REM BACKUP AND DELETE ALL .MER FOR PVPLUS 6
REM **************************************************************
REM CREDITS: This file was created by Shawn Tierney and may be purchased
REM as part of a bundle for just $0.99 at theautomationblog.com. Thank you in
REM advance for your support!
REM **************************************************************
REM **************************************************************
REM REQUIREMENTS:
REM 1) THIS FILE MUST BE NAMED autorun.bat TO WORK
REM 2) THIS FILE IS FOR PANELVIEW PLUS 6
REM 3) THIS SCRIPT MAY TAKE UP TO 120 SECONDS TO COMPLETE
REM **************************************************************
REM **************************************************************
REM STEP 1 – Make backup MER folder on the PVPlus 6 in case copy fails
CD\application data\rockwell software\rsviewme
MD backup
REM **************************************************************
REM **************************************************************
REM STEP 2 – Copy MER files to the backup directory created above
CD runtime
COPY *.* “\application data\rockwell software\rsviewme\backup”
REM **************************************************************
REM **************************************************************
REM STEP 3 – Copy the MER files to the USB STORAGE DEVICE
COPY *.* “\usb storage”
REM **************************************************************
REM **************************************************************
REM STEP 4- Make correct directory on USB Drive (may already exist)
CD\usb storage
MD “Rockwell Software”
CD Rockwell Software
MD RSViewME
CD RSViewME
MD Runtime
CD Runtime
REM **************************************************************
REM **************************************************************
REM STEP 5 – COPY MER files to correct directory on the USB Drive
CD\Application Data\Rockwell Software\RSViewME\Runtime
COPY *.* “\USB Storage\rockwell software\rsviewme\runtime”
REM **************************************************************
REM **************************************************************
REM STEP 6 – Delete MER files from the PVPlus 6 application directory to
REM force the system to return to Configuration Menu on reboot
DEL *.mer
REM **************************************************************
REM **************************************************************
REM REMINDER – Tell the operators to allow 120 seconds from when they
REM insert the card before they remove it
REM The process is now complete
REM Remove the USB Drive and cycle power to the terminal
REM **************************************************************
REM **************************************************************
REM This file was written & tested by Shawn Tierney, InsightsInAutomation.com
REM and may be purchased as part of a four file bundle for just $0.99
REM at www.theautomationblog.com. Thank you in advance for your support!
REM **************************************************************
PanelView Plus 6 / 7 autorun.bat file script text used to copy .mer files from the usb memory stick to the terminal:
NOTE: This file was tested on a PanelView Plus 6 and PanelView Plus 7 Standard
UPDATE: The below text was updated on 08/11/2015 to correct a typo in the REMarks
echo on
REM COPY ALL .MER FILES FROM USB TO PVPLUS 6
REM **************************************************************
REM CREDITS: This file was created by Shawn Tierney and may be purchased
REM as part of a bundle for just $0.99 at theautomationblog.com. Thank you in
REM advance for your support!
REM **************************************************************
REM **************************************************************
REM REQUIREMENTS:
REM 1) THIS FILE MUST BE NAMED autorun.bat TO WORK
REM 2) THIS FILE IS FOR PANELVIEW PLUS 6
REM 3) THIS SCRIPT MAY TAKE UP TO 120 SECONDS TO COMPLETE
REM **************************************************************
REM **************************************************************
REM STEP 1 – Copy all .MER files from the correct directory on the USB Drive
REM to the correct directory on the PanelView Plus 6
CD\Application Data\Rockwell Software\RSViewME\Runtime
COPY “USB Storage\Rockwell Software\RSViewME\Runtime\*.*”
REM **************************************************************
REM **************************************************************
REM REMINDER – Tell the operators to allow 120 seconds from when they
REM insert the card before they remove it
REM The process is now complete
REM Remove the USB Drive and cycle power to the terminal
REM **************************************************************
REM **************************************************************
REM This file was written & tested by Shawn Tierney, InsightsInAutomation.com
REM and may be purchased as part of a four file bundle for just $0.99
REM at www.theautomationblog.com. Thank you in advance for your support!
REM **************************************************************
NEW! PanelView Plus 5.1 autorun.bat file script text used to backup .mer files from the terminal to the usb memory stick, and then delete the .mer files from the terminal.
NOTE: This file was tested on a v5.1 and v3.2 PanelView Plus
echo on
REM BACKUP AND DELETE ALL .MER FOR PVPLUS 5.1
REM **************************************************************
REM CREDITS: This file was created by Shawn Tierney and may be purchased
REM as part of a bundle for just $0.99 at theautomationblog.com. Thank you in
REM advance for your support!
REM **************************************************************
REM **************************************************************
REM REQUIREMENTS:
REM 1) THIS FILE MUST BE NAMED autorun.bat TO WORK
REM 2) THIS FILE IS FOR PANELVIEW PLUS FIRMWARE 3.0 TO 5.1
REM 3) THIS SCRIPT MAY TAKE UP TO 120 SECONDS TO COMPLETE
REM **************************************************************
REM **************************************************************
REM STEP 1 – Make backup MER folder on the PVPlus in case copy fails
CD\storage card\rockwell software\rsviewme
MD backup
REM **************************************************************
REM **************************************************************
REM STEP 2 – Copy MER files to the backup directory created above
CD runtime
COPY *.* “\storage card\rockwell software\rsviewme\backup”
REM **************************************************************
REM **************************************************************
REM STEP 3 – Copy the MER files to the USB STORAGE DEVICE
COPY *.* “\usb storage”
REM **************************************************************
REM **************************************************************
REM STEP 4- Make correct directory on USB Drive (may already exist)
CD\usb storage
MD “Rockwell Software”
CD Rockwell Software
MD RSViewME
CD RSViewME
MD Runtime
CD Runtime
REM **************************************************************
REM **************************************************************
REM STEP 5 – COPY MER files to correct directory on the USB Drive
CD\storage card\rockwell software\rsviewme\runtime
COPY *.* “\usb storage\rockwell software\rsviewme\runtime”
REM **************************************************************
REM **************************************************************
REM STEP 6 – Delete MER files from the PVPlus application directory to
REM force the system to return to Configuration Menu on reboot
DEL *.mer
REM **************************************************************
REM **************************************************************
REM REMINDER – Tell the operators to allow 120 seconds from when they
REM insert the card before they remove it
REM The process is now complete
REM Remove the USB Drive and cycle power to the terminal
REM **************************************************************
REM **************************************************************
REM This file was written & tested by Shawn Tierney, InsightsInAutomation.com
REM and may be purchased as part of a four file bundle for just $0.99
REM at www.theautomationblog.com. Thank you in advance for your support!
REM **************************************************************
New! PanelView Plus 5.1 autorun.bat file script text used to copy .mer files from the usb memory stick to the terminal:
NOTE: This file was tested on a v5.1 and v3.2 PanelView Plus
echo on
REM COPY ALL .MER FILES FROM USB TO PVPLUS 5.1
REM **************************************************************
REM CREDITS: This file was created by Shawn Tierney and may be purchased
REM as part of a bundle for just $0.99 at theautomationblog.com. Thank you in
REM advance for your support!
REM **************************************************************
REM **************************************************************
REM REQUIREMENTS:
REM 1) THIS FILE MUST BE NAMED autorun.bat TO WORK
REM 2) THIS FILE IS FOR PANELVIEW PLUS FIRMWARE 3.0 TO 5.1
REM 3) THIS SCRIPT MAY TAKE UP TO 120 SECONDS TO COMPLETE
REM **************************************************************
REM **************************************************************
REM STEP 1 – Copy all .MER files from the correct directory on the USB Drive
REM to the correct directory on the PanelView Plus
CD\storage card\rockwell software\rsviewme\runtime
COPY “\usb storage\rockwell software\rsviewme\runtime\*.*”
REM **************************************************************
REM **************************************************************
REM REMINDER – Tell the operators to allow 120 seconds from when they
REM insert the card before they remove it
REM The process is now complete
REM Remove the USB Drive and cycle power to the terminal
REM **************************************************************
REM **************************************************************
REM This file was written & tested by Shawn Tierney, InsightsInAutomation.com
REM and may be purchased as part of a four file bundle for just $0.99
REM at www.theautomationblog.com. Thank you in advance for your support!
REM **************************************************************
IMPORTANT: Please note, copying the above text from inside internet explorer may replace the standard “quotes” with angled “quotes,” which will in turn cause the copy and make directory functions to fail when executed on the PanelView Plus.
Update: The above scripts are now available as a bundled download here:
Hopefully the above autorun scripts will come in handy if you ever lock yourself out of your PVPlus, or if you just want an easy way to backup all your .mer runtime files on your terminal.
If you have any stories about being locked out of your PVPlus, or have a similar script to share, please click on the “post a comment or question” link below to share your comments with the rest of us.
Sincerely,
Shawn Tierney
Automation Instructor and Blogger
Enjoy the benifits of membership! Insider news, rewards, & more: Patreon.com/automation
If you enjoyed my article, you may like my courses at TheAutomationSchool.com
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Shawn Tierney
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Update: PanelView Plus Autorun Scripts is now available for a $1 donation to our website at:
https://theautomationexchange.com/product/panelview-plus-autorun-scripts/Hi guys
I have read this article How To Automatically Run A USB Flash Drive Script On The PanelView Plus
http://theautomationblog.com/how-to-automatically-run-a-usb-flash-drive-script-on-the-panelview-plus/
Has anyone done this script is it easy to do and does it copy the IP address to ?
Is there a video lesson?
I’m trying to make it easy for the engineers to change a faulty screen?
What’s your thought
Thanks stuGood morning Stu A,
The scripts in this blog article are for copying the .MER files to and/or from the PVPlus and will not set the IP address of the PVPlus.
Hope this helps,
Shawn Tierney,
The Automation BlogI need to modify a customer's PanelView Plus 1250 Assembled Terminal Cat. 2711P-T12C4A8 Ser. A, which has logic module 2711P-RP8A Ser. A.
I'm trying to upload the .mer file and the PVP has no magic white button in lower left corner at startup and nothing in the application to get me to its config utility. I've tried your script on USB stick to copy the file several times. At first try, it created the directories on the USB but left the runtime directory empty. I deleted the directory on USB stick and tried again and now it doesn't even create the directories. PVP application continues to run OK and it seems to run the scripts but it scrolls by so fast it's almost impossible to see the echo'd responses. Do you have any ideas? THANKS!Never mind... I got it... Solution was to get a USB keyboard plugged in and hit the 'default' button at boot up... It will bring up FactoryTalk View ME menu on the PVP and you can copy the .mer file to a memory stick... It's a bit cryptic for this 73 year old EE/programmer that's been doing this stuff for 40+ years... lol...Glad you got it working John,
While your connected you may want to re-enable the little white box.
Also, not sure why the scripts didn't work for you - did you copy them from the article or download them from TheAutomationExchange.com?
Sincerely,
Shawn Tierney,
Instructor at The Automation SchoolAnyone set Static IP of PVP? 6 or 7 with an autorun.bat?
That would be helpful.
Also, Load MER and Set initial passwords from autorun.bat.
That I would pay $1 for.I believe it's doable with code similar to this (this code is for a PC:)
https://theautomationblog.com/using-batch-files-to-change-your-pcs-ip-address/
Best of luck!
Shawn Tierney,
Instructor, The Automation School
Hi shawn , sorry i forget to put my name , i will try that
Thank you so much
Morees
Good luck Moores, and good hearing from you!
Shawn Tierney
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Hi Shawn , how are you , today at work we had a problem with Panel view plus 700 , the screen shows error ( Failed to create run time frame project )
i tried to upload file , but i could not go on line using Ethernet driver , even i could not configure Rslinx enterprise because i cannot access configuration mode , i reset power many times but no luck , there are four tiny buttons on the side default , Reset , communi , and fault , we need your help please before i go to work on Monday
Thank you
Moree
Good afternoon Morees,
Not much to go on there… Is the unit a PVPlus or PVPlus 6? What is the PN?
Has the unit been running for a number of years without any changes and then suddenly this error comes up?
Do you have a backup of the project which is suppose to be running on this unit and have you tried to re-download it?
Do you know the serial port and Ethernet settings the unit was set at?
I agree the best way to address the last two questions would be to access the configuration mode.
To do so, check out these two articles, and if you have any questions on what they cover please feel free to reply:
– https://theautomationblog.com/panelview-plus-how-to-access-the-configuration-screen/
– https://theautomationblog.com/panelview-plus-white-square-missing-or-f1-not-opening-configuration-mode/
Sincerely,
Shawn Tierney
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Hi Shawn , its PVP plus 700 pn 2711
I will try that and let you know
Thank you
Morees
Good morning mores,
If it’s not a PVPlus 6 (i.e. the part number doesn’t end in a 8 or 9) and it’s between version v3.20.09 and 5.1.x, when you cycle power you should get a white square on the screen and if you press it (or F1) during the short time it’s present you will be taken to the config menu.
However, if it’s pre 3.20.09 and you don’t know any of the port settings you may wish to use the above scripts with the old PVPlus folders in place of the PVPlus 6 folders to copy all the .MER files off the unit to force it to boot to the config menu.
As a last resort you could unplug the power connector, remove the logic board, remove the internal Compact Flash card and put it into your PC. Then then find and move all.MER files off the card and onto your PC. Then when you reassemble the PVPlus it will have to go to the config menu since there is no .MER to run.
Of course, if it’s a PVPlus 6 and there is no white box and you don’t know the port settings, there is a procedure in the book to get to the config mode using a USB Keyboard.
Hope this helps,
Shawn Tierney
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[…] NOTE: The newest version of this article is located HERE […]
Update: Existing Scripts updated to remove typo in REMarks, and PVPlus 5.1 version of files also added and tested with 3.2 as well.
I also tested the PVPlus 6 files on a PVPlus 7s and they worked fine,
Finally, I’ve bundled all four as a zip file and added to AutomationFiles.com as a $0.99 download.
Hope this helps,
Shawn Tierney
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Support our site to disable ads, get free downloads, & more here.
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Thank you , i will try everything
Morees
I forget to say that when i reset power , i get F1 which is continue and F2 ( asking to down load
firmware ) , when pressed F1 i can see two mode ethernet and DF 1 , then stops there
Morees
Good morning Morees,
Any word on if it’s a PVPlus or PVPlus 6? All PVPlus 6 models have PN#’s ending in an 8 or 9.
Sincerely,
Shawn Tierney
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Hi Shawn , its 2711P-RN6 , PVPLUS 700
Thank you
Morees
Good morning Morees,
Oh, the RN6 is a DH+ / RIO module mounted on the back of the PVP and covering it’s part number 🙁
Did you ever get it working?
PS – I updated the below post with a picture showing the internal CompactFlash card and made the article a little more descriptive:
https://theautomationblog.com/panelview-plus-how-to-access-the-configuration-screen/
Hope this helps,
Shawn Tierney
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I watched video yesterday about pvp communication in your demonstration tutorial
its really helpful , can you please put how to configure rslinx enterprise configuration to go
point to point ( pc to pvp )
Thank you
Morees
Good morning again Morees,
I do have a whole bunch of new PVPlus and View Studio videos planned for next month, but it likely won’t be in time to help you with your current PVPlus.
However, Rockwell did make a bunch of videos a few years back that you may find helpful – I link to them in the below article:
https://theautomationblog.com/factorytalk-view-studio-machine-edition-and-panelview-plus-quick-start-videos-from-rockwell-allen-bradley/
Hope this helps,
Shawn Tierney
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Hi Shawn , i figured out that the screen PVPLUS 700 needs firmware to be
upgraded , i will wait for that then i will download MER by using USB
I let you know
Thank you
Morees
Good morning Morees,
Thanks for the update – have a great weekend,
Shawn Tierney
Hi Shawn , how are you , back to my problem with the panelview
plus 700 , i loaded successfully firmware 5.10 from rockwell
web to usb flash , exactly as you posted in previous pages
but , when i plug usb to panelview plus screen nothing happened , means i dont see upgrade screen
any help please
thank for attention
have a nice weekend
morees
Good evening morees,
Did you use the Firmware wizard to load the firmware onto the USB memory stick?
The Firmware Wizard also puts an autorun file in the root of the USB drive which launches the installation.
Hope this helps,
Shawn Tierney
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yes i did exactly that , but maybe its because i put 600 and 700 firmware at same usb
i will try again tomorrow
Thank you Shawn
How do you like the coffee ,
morees
Good morning mores,
I think you’re right – I think you just want to use the Firmware Wizard to make the root (like E:) of your USB hold the firmware for a single terminal at a time.
Then, once you plug it in, after about 10 seconds you’ll get a popup asking if you want to update the firmware.
Oh and just a little cream, no sugar 😉
Thanks,
Shawn Tierney
Good evening Shawn
i have a great news , i put usb into panelview plus 600 , right away shows up that screen
to upgrade firmware , say yes , it took 5 minutes only to finish the process
complete success , and mission accomplished , nobody knows this at our plant
only me and you
thank you so much
God bless you
Morees
Good afternoon Morees,
That’s great news – congrats!
Hope you have a great week and God bless you too!
Shawn Tierney
Hi Shawn
how are you , long time , i have different problem with my software F T V S version 7.0
i was working on pvp 600 doing some test project , but no success , anyways i closed it
but after that i tried to open the software again to open an existing working project
but no luck , error message shows ( DF1 FAILED TO OPEN AUTO CONFIGURATION , CHECK
CABLE SETTING AND VERIFY ……. ) and wont open the application
although i re-installed software , but still no luck , i cannot clear that error
any help please
Thank you
Morees
Good morning morees,
Good to hear from you!
Hmm, have not seen that before… definitely seems like an RSLinx issue is stopping the project from loading, almost like it refuses to load without the PLC connected to the same comm port?
To work around that, I suggest trying to import the existing project into a new project.
For anyone reading this who has not done that before, when you open View Studio go to the new tab, enter a new application name, then click on the import button, select ME and find the old projects .MED file on your hard drive under shared documents.
Please let us know if that works for you morees,
Sincerely,
Shawn Tierney
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Hi Shawn , thanks for your quick answer
i will try that , let you know
morees
Good morning morees,
You’re very welcome – good luck!
Shawn Tierney
Hi Shawn
I solved the issue , which was much more easier than i thought
First i went to my computer , disk management , service , put rslinks enterprise
from auto start to manual , then i opened factory studio , open application
then click on the button on the tool bar ( show / hide project ) to show the
project ,( i do not why we need that button ) , then right click on communication tab
on rslinks enterprise , delete DF 1 driver , after i closed software and open it
everything comes normal
Thank you
Morees
Good morning Morees,
Thanks for sharing your solution! Very glad you got it working 🙂
Have a great weekend,
Shawn Tierney
Thank you Shawn
Morees
Hi Shawn , how are you
we have a machine have panel view plus 700 , which we talked about it before , the processor
was burnt , and was fixed , the machine was built by a private guy , which he closed his
business , and does not answer his phone , we need to download the program , he sent us
before two files , one is MER , second is development MED , i cannot restore run time
from MER , because its locked by a password ( we do not have it ) , i think the program was
built using FTW 5.10 or 6.10 , and i do not if i can benefit from MED , basically we are stuck
We use FTW version 7.0
needs your help
Please and thank you
Morees
Good morning Morees,
I’ll quote you here as the reply may be hard to read:
“we need to download the program he sent us before, two files, one is MER, second is development MED , i cannot restore run time from MER because its locked by a password ( we do not have it ) , i think the program was built using FTW 5.10 or 6.10 , and i do not if i can benefit from MED , basically we are stuck. We use FTW version 7.0”
I don’t know any way around a passworded MER, BUT you can upload it and redownload it to a new PVPlus
Also, you should try a “blank” password if you want to edit it – I’ve been seeing ViewStudio default to a blank password when creating runtimes.
If that doesn’t work, and the MED file is not alone but part of an entire project folder of files, then create a new project in ViewStudio and import the MED file/project into a new project.
That procedure likely won’t recreate the RSLinx E setup, however you can look in the PanelView Plus config menu if you need that information to rebuild the shortcuts.
Hope this helps – please let us know how you make out!
Have a good weekend,
Shawn Tierney
Thanks very much Shawn
I will try that and let you know
Morees
Hi Shawn , how are you
I managed to download MED to the terminal screen , its working ok
but i still cannot restore runtime application MER , because its locked by password
so i cannot back up appliaction
Thank you for attention
morees
Good morning morees,
Did you try a blank password?
If your MER file is truly passworded I don’t know a way to open it.
Rockwell Tech Support use to have a form you could fill in and send them for just these circumstances, but it doesn’t look like they still do this:
https://rockwellautomation.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/562626
https://rockwellautomation.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/64514
Sincerely,
Shawn Tierney
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Hi Shawn ,
indeed i tried that , still did not work
thank you
morees
Good morning morees,
Thanks for the heads up – sorry I wasn’t able to help,
Sincerely,
Shawn Tierney
[…] How To Automatically Run A USB Flash Drive Script On The PanelView Plus […]