Agilent1100 autosampler woes (yellow flashing status light?)

[Amesy]

I have an Agilent ALS G1313A that has stopped functioning. -- To elaborate, the ALS will power on; when I turn on the switch, the green light on the switch illuminates. However, when I start ChemStation, the software cannot connect to the ALS. ChemStation can however, connect to all other components of my 1100 (pump, detector, degasser). Also, I note that the status indicator light on the ALS flashes yellow/amber. I consulted the Reference Manual, but it makes no mention of a flashing yellow light, so I'm really at a loss for the meaning of this. I also note that there's a red flashing light noticeable on the back panel of the ALS.

Any insights or advice for troubleshooting are much appreciated.

[bisnettrj2]

Flashing yellow means a communication error (http://www.meadowshplc.com/pdfs/1100_Re ... Manual.pdf, page 149). Has this instrument functioned before? Any repairs or incidents that preceded this situation?

If you power everything down, connect the autosampler to the computer running Chemstation, and disconnect everything else, and only power up the autosampler, does the problem go away? If so, you might have a firmware conflict between the autosampler and the rest of the stack. Call Agilent to get the correct firmware revisions for your setup.

If that's not the issue, you can try to do the Forced Cold Start procedure on page 239 - just make sure to write down the positions of your dip switches before you do it.

[Consumer Products Guy]

Dumb - but I'll state anyway - the front cover on the autosampler module must be on for it to initialize.

The other modules don't need to have their covers on.

[carls]

There is a way to reset any 1100 module using the dip switches on the back of the unit. I dont remember what the settings are off hand but perhaps someone else on the board does.

Ive seen a similar issue many times usually a reset must be performed.

reloading the firmware fixes the issue but thats a bit more effort than the dipswitch reset

[Amesy]

Thanksa million for the suggestion to try a forced cold start on the ALS. It very easily cured the issue. Thanks again!

[bisnettrj2]

Glad it helped. That's one to keep in the back of the toolbox with Agilent 1100-series autosamplers. I've had to use it more than once.

[carls]

Thanks bisnettrj2

I did not know that is what it is called. I have called Agilent Tech Support before for the settings or the reference you provided (pg 256 of my manual, G1313-90005 May 2004) and they acted as though they had never heard of the procedure.

Comes in very handy!

[bisnettrj2]

Glad to be of help. When I've called Agilent in the past, I usually hope to get a grizzled-sounding old guy, because therein lies decades of experience and knowledge probably not contained in the user manuals. When I get someone young and eager, my hopes of resolving my issue have been somewhat diminished...

[panwe]

I have the same problems and tried your suggestions to reset the code. It seems to work! However, the system is asking to initiate the hardware for the autosampler, how could I do it? Thanks for help

[bisnettrj2]

I assume you've tried using the reset command via Chemstation?