Varian 8200 autosampler problem - help please ...

[KarenR]

Hi,

I have recently inherited 2 varian 3400 gc's with 8200 autosamplers which have been unused for about 4 years, and I'm now trying to get one working instrument from the two (apparently they were both working, when the group that used them was shut down).

I have the GC working fine with manual injection, and I have managed to get the computer working again (varian Star Workstation V5) and communicating well with the GC.

My problem comes when I try and do an injection with the autosampler. Everything seems to go fine, but gets stuck 'Waiting for an injection'. The method downloads appropriately to the instrument, it checks for a vial in the autosampler, but then doesn't do anything.

I have tried replacing all of the bits that control the autosampler from the other GC (the autosampler tower itself, the cable that communicates between the autosampler and the GC, and the GC controller board itself) and none of it makes any difference.

My instincts tell me that it is probably something really simple that I'm overlooking, but I'm at my wits end! Can anyone help me? Please ....

Karen

[leadazide]

Are you getting any messages other then waiting for injection?? We had similar problem and it was due to not having connected N2 to the back of the autosampler.. It seems it runs on pressureized air or N2.. But i recall getting an error message in the GC display saying something in the line of "Autosampler not preassurized"..

[KarenR]

Thanks for your suggestion Leadazide. I do have gas connected up. At the moment the problem seems to have fixed itself, but since I still don't know why, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Karen

[Rick]

Hi!
In GC 3400 configure, probably option ''waiting for external device'' is selected.