Rockwell/AB are idiots

Sorry for the rant, but this is really stupid. Now that I've installed and activated my RSLogix software, it brings up a help file that tells me HOW to install the package.

Rockwell people, this is just a wild idea, but how about you make this help file readily available on the internet so that people can see how to install the software, I don't know, BEFORE they install the software? I know. Crazy, aren't I?

Secondly, I installed their FactoryTalk View SE on the same machine, and it wiped out my RSLinx professional as part of the installation process and left me only with RSLinx Classic. But of course, the first page of the RSLogix help says that I need to have RSLinx Professional installed.

So, how do I use these "integrated" packages together? There goes another day of my time. I'm about to just hire an AB programmer and be done with this.

I hope the rest of my experience is better. If not, then I'm sure this will be my last ever AB PLC project. I'll tell the next client, "No. We'll bow out of the entire project rather than use AB."

End rant

I've felt your pain...nothing a refreshing adult beverage won't cure.

Or how about this: you double click the .exe file, click okay a few times interspersed with a couple of pauses of less than 60 seconds, and it pops up a dialog box that says "Installation Complete". Then it would be like most other software out there.

But that would leave the buyer with that empty feeling, "I paid more than a thousand dollars and that was it? It's that simple? I feel cheated "

I can't explain why the Installer seems to launch an installation tutorial. I've never seen that myself.

I can explain the RSLinx naming issue.

Because of the confusion between the relatively new "RSLinx Enterprise" data server for FactoryTalk and the older, more familiar RSLinx multisession communication driver software, the older software was given a new name, "RSLinx Classic".

Some of the documentation didn't quite get the memo, and it still trips up some infrequent users.

Because you do have a number of different options for using RSLinx Enterprise and/or RSLinx Classic with FactoryTalk View, I would recommend a brief consultation with your local distributor specialist.

Wino said:

I'll tell the next client, "No. We'll bow out of the entire project rather than use AB."

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Wow you must have a pretty wide client base. We've never had an integrator tell us they refuse to use a particular brand of something, let alone one of the most universal brands in the industry.

kolyur said:

Wow you must have a pretty wide client base. We've never had an integrator tell us they refuse to use a particular brand of something, let alone one of the most universal brands in the industry.

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I used to say that all the time. I had as much business as I could handle anyway, I didn't need the hastle, and the AB stuff was overpriced besides. Eventually a sharp young feller at our local distributor called on me, figured out how to help me work around my objections, figured out how to get me competitive pricing, and eventually more than half my projects were AB.

But, there were still several times a week when I would ask myself "Where did this Rockwell programer have his head?" It was only when we started using Siemens that I realized stupidity and arrogance are relative, and AB was not at the bottom of either heap!

Wino said:

...then I'm sure this will be my last ever AB PLC project. I'll tell the next client, "No. We'll bow out of the entire project rather than use AB."

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That is just fine. Would you do me a favor and send them my way then?

Sounds like you need one of these:
http://www.cafepress.com/+rockbad_automation_mug,125727477

I laugh. Other companies have their idiots too. The others that have posted seem to know that when they switch PLCs, all they do is switch idiots too. I must admit some are worse than others though.

In the big scheme of things a one time problem like the one you describe is not as bad as recurring nagging problems.

This makes me very grateful to have an IT department who handles these things.

Firstly, I second what Ken said regarding RSLinx. It's just a name change. It happened years ago. You still have RSLinx. Maybe you just never noticed the name change.

The only thing that ever popped up at the end of an install for me was the Release Notes. Quite possibly it has installation instructions along with the list of new features and changes. Most of the time at the end of the install you can deselect showing Release Notes.

Years ago when I was a kid working at a fast food restaurant, cookies were introduced as a new product line. I still remember opening the box that had all the cookie dough and right inside the box were the instructions for the proper way we were supposed to bake them. Instruction step #1 was "Open the box". I got the biggest kick from that.

OG

by the way:

http://www.plctalk.net/qanda/showthread.php?p=503282#post503282

Hmmm...62 hours. I wonder who holds the record for longest AB install?

I actually had RSLinx Enterprise literally just disappear. I never uninstalled it. It has been working fine for many months. Then one day I go to complile an FTme application and it tells me it can't find RSLinx Enterprise. I looked around and couldn't even find evidence that it even ever had been installed. Vanished into thin air. I was incredulous. Re-installed RSLinx Enterprise alone and all was good.

The RSView/FactoryTalk and the Activation server stuff has always caused me grief. Not so much the same with the other software (except maybe "Drive Executive".

I think on the HMI side Rockwell just needs a complete reboot. All this talk of melding the HMI and PLC into one package terrifies me. I hope that is a long way off.

Damian...I have had that also but a call to Tech Support took care of it. If I remember correctly it was a quick call so I assume the gentleman had heard of the issue before. I had to re-registered a .dll file I think..It has been awhile.