The new iQ-R Series System Recorder module assists programmers in determining a machine’s malfunction root cause by recording all program and mechanical state changes for several minutes before and after an event or error takes place. This eliminates ambiguity in diagnosing issues. Users can review the changes that took place in their code leading up to and after the event. In addition, the system recorder allows users to record the data visually, in video format, directly to the module to note environmental conditions that the code cannot see.