How many digit precision do you get when running your vi? The asterisks may only appear to indicate that you are in remote mode. The precision shouldn't change. Have you tried displaying a reading from a vi? Then press the "Local" button on the instrument (actually the other feature of the "Save & Print" button), and compare the readings.
Unfortunately, my frequency counter is not yet hooked up to the GPIB card, so I cannot test out a vi. -JLV-
