Embedded PC not responding - Waters Quattro Micro

Discussions about chromatography data systems, LIMS, controllers, computer issues and related topics.

102 posts
It should work with a switch, but it will be less hassle if you go and get yourself a cheap PCI network card to plug into your workstation. Use this card for direct connection to the mass spectrometer.
Typo on my part; it is 64.1.1.1 for the ftp service default ip. You should be able to monitor the EPC boot via a terminal window via the ip address much like can be done with other platforms via serial port. Exit any running Masslynx, open a terminal and monitor 64.1.1.2 for readback as the EPC boots. This should indicate if and where the breakdown occurs; whether the EPC boot process fails or the file transfer fails, consequently indicating where the problem is.
mhr311 wrote:
open a terminal and monitor 64.1.1.2 for readback as the EPC boots.
I don't have any knowledge about it, and there are so many things on google about it. Could you please indiacte me the procedure on Windows (XP)?
PS : I didn't mentioned that the EPC is not responding on Telnet connection (but I can ping it ok) and it does not emit any sound after pressing on the little red reset button.
I just inherited a ZQ with a XP workstation loaded with MassLynx 4.0 and am facing the same problems discussed here. I just joined this forum after I found this thread hoping to get help with the connection. Now I'm looking for step by step help setting up the 'micromass' ftp server on XP. I have my NIC configured correctly and it is successfully pinging the epic and data are going back and forth. I got to the IIS part in the FTP setup using generic instructions I found on other places online but I have don't see where/how I configure this server to be recognized by the epc. Where are the tabs and fields where you enter the server name and password? In a previous post on this thread Jörg said he could send a document outlining the steps. If Jörg is still following this he can email me at sbk1@cornell.edu. If anyone else can help please send this by email or post it to the forum.

Thanks very much...Stuart
I've solved the problem. It was a DHCP problem actually. A DHCP server attributes an IP address to every machine that asks for it. DHCP server are included in routers and not in switchs. Here, the DHCP server is powered up by Waters!! So don't use a router or OpenDHCP like I did.

To be sure we've got the same problem, let's check some details.

My EPC was connected to a switch which was connected to the LAN PCI card of the workstation (cf. the picture I posted before). When connecting my laptop by LAN on the siwtch, I was able to ping the EPC and I was able to connect by FTP on the workstation and download "C:\masslynx\WXworks\Script.txt" which means that both equipment were working OK.

If you are able to do so, then let's check that :

  • The IP of the workstation must be 64.1.1.1 (please find on google how to force ip address on WinXP, but only for the LAN connected to the instrument and not the other one!)
  • Go to : "C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc" and open "hosts". Verify that you have a line "epc 64.1.1.2" without any # (this tells to windows that the ip address of epc is 64.1.1.2).
  • Shutdown the EPC and MassLynx.
  • Go to "C:\Program Files\Waters" and run "Waters DHCP Server Configuration.exe". Do a print-screen and save it to remember the informations that you can see and clic on "remove", and then clic "Server, configuration Wizard" and then configure the DHCP server with 64.1.1.1 as the server IP address.
  • Switch ON the EPC and wait at least 5 min.
  • Switch ON MassLynx.
I'm having the exact same problem with my LCT Premier. We hooked it up to a new computer, installed masslynx but can't get the EPC to connect to the desktop pc (“The embedded system is not responding. The system will run in standalone mode”). I think it's also a matter of setting up the FTP server, but I have no clue how to. So if Jörg or anyone else could send me a step by step instruction on how to set up the FTP server that would be great. b.schoenmaker@nki.nl

Thank in advance,
Bart
Hi bschoenmaker!

Dead you read my previous message? Are you able to ping your workstation FTP server with another PC/Laptop?
Hi
I'm working on Quattro Micro API LC/MS/MS

Unfortunately, PC has been dead and I'm missing masslynx software and related service and user manuals.
I'll be glad if somebody helps me in this problem.

bahram111@yahoo.com
It's better to use the forum and not your private mail to help you. This is a goal of a forum to share solutions to issues.

Don't throw the baby with the water bath! Our Workstation was dead too but if you keep the Hard Disk Drive (HDD) you can put it on another motherboard and it will work good (if the HDD is not the problem obviously).

When replying in this topic, check "Notify me when a reply is posted" just above the submit Button. You will receive an e-mail when an answer has been posted here.
Dear Graundi,
Thanks for your attention.
Actually, I've done all my best for reviving PC before posting request. Unfortunately, HDD is completely unusable. That's why I've asked for that. If you check my posts, I've done my best to help other people in forum and tried to make helpful conversations for others too.
Ok Bahram, no problem.

When connecting thé HDD on another motherboard, what errer do you get when starting up thé PC ?

The problem is that if the HDD is dead, there is no other possibility that buying a new masslynx software licence... Try to contact Waters but I'm not sure they will be kind...
Dont' mess around with the HDD too much yourself. Give it to an IT forensics specialist. In most cases (except after hitting it with an axe or similar, or after recording NMR spectra of it), they will be able to copy all data from it and you can go on using the software. That might be cheaper than re-buying the software.
The serial number of masslynx has been made for this HDD only using its own serial number. If they copying data (like just copy/past or doing a ghost) it will be not efficient at all. All they can do is to try to do a clone of the HDD but if too much clusters of the HDD are dead, the clone will be useless because theses errors will be copied on the new HDD. The first thing to do is to try the HDD on another (working) motherboard to check if it stills alive or not. If not, it depends on your budget, masslynx licence is about 400 €, and I don't know about HDD recovery (if clusters are dead, you need a professional in data recovery and that cost a lot, except that if you have such a professional where you work).
Thanks for all replies. HDD has no chance to revive.We've some good IT guys and they worked few days on HDD before giving up.
Now, I think the only way is to buy software, and license. I'll be glad to buy it if anyone has in hand.
User manuals and service manuals needed too.

thanks in advance

bahram
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