MSD Chemstation wont read 7673 autosampler UPDATE:SOLVED!

[boulderco]

Ive been running an HP/Agilent 6890/5973 with manual injection for a few months now, and recently acquired a 7673 ALS w/tray and G1512A controller for it. Im using MSD Chemstation D.03.00.611 for data analysis.

I tried to install the autosampler today and have not been able to get chemstation to read it. I installed a cable from the labeled 6890 port on the controller to the sampler port on the back of the GC, and tried putting the HBIP cable coming from the controller to the GC, as well as the computer.

I could not get chemstation to read the ALS in either setup, and tried to reconfig multiple times. I powered down everthing in between tries, including the PC which is running windows XP. I am thinking I need to run an additional APG remote cable from the controller to the open remote port on the GC but am unsure if I should purchase one before exploring other options. After trying different pin setups on the back of the controller, I was able to get the GC itself to read the ALS but chemstation was crashing when I tried to open it.

The two different pin settings I was trying are the first two pictured in figure 14 of the manual (linked below, page 20), and the top one was allowing the GC to recognize the ALS but the second one in the list was the one the manual said I should be using. Both were set to GBIP address 8. (My GC is 10, MS is 20) Anyone have experience with this problem in the past? Attached are pictures of the back of my controller as well as the back of the 6890.

https://photos.labwrench.com/equipmentM ... 178-26.pdf

[70 eV]

If you're still having an issue with this there's a button on the bottom right called "sample tray" I would check that you have the tray turned on on the GC side.

[boulderco]

I've tried a few different things but sadly still cannot get the MSD chemstation to recognize the autosampler controller. When operated in the mode that allows direct control of the ALS from the 6890 the whole setup works great, but I just cant for the life of me get chemstation to read the ALS controller. I have tried reinstalling MSD chemstation to no avail. I now believe it is a software issue, as I cant even find an option for an autosampler in the configuration setup.

GBIP of 5973msd is 20, 6890 is 9, and ALS controller is 8.

Any ideas on how to get the software to recognize the ALS controller?

[70 eV]

The button is on the GC itself, not in the software.

[Consumer Products Guy]

I don't have hands-on experience with software that new.

But if the 7673 is set to the address of 8, did you also add that 7673 module as address of 8 using Configuration Editor (assuming that the newer software still has that)?

[boulderco]

After more trouble shooting, I am convinced it is the software. I have an older version of HP chemstation (non-MSD version) that I was using before I got the mass spec. I opened that one up to check and sure enough it has a place in the configuration settings for the 7673 ALS.

It just seems odd that there isnt a spot for the ALS in the config editor for the MSD chemstation. I checked compatibility and the software says the G1512A is compatible so I am at a loss here.

I found a "how to" on setting up the config, and as you can see, there is no spot or prompt to add an ALS. Any ideas?

https://www.aqmd.gov/docs/default-sourc ... f?sfvrsn=4

[boulderco]

The IO libraries recognizes the ALS controller, so after exhausting every option I have concluded that my version of chemstation most likely only works with the newer 7683 ALS tower that has no controller.

Does anyone have a different (older) version of MSD chemstation they would be willing to share?

[benhutcherson]

This combo WILL work-I am running a 7673 series AS with a G1512A controller on my 6890/5973. I am running it with G1701EA over LAN, although have also run it with G1701BA over HPIB.

First of all, get the HPIB cable away from the G1512A. I've set up multiple G1512As and only ever used the HPIB port with 5890s. Remember, I mentioned that I've run my 6890 with two different versions of software using both LAN and HPIB, and I've never had an HPIB cable connected to the G1512A.

I'm 99% sure I have two cables from my 6890 to my G1512A, but will double check tomorrow. One definitely is from "Sampler" on the back of the 6890 and goes to the "6890" labeled port on the G1512A. The other I'm pretty sure is from one of the remote ports on the 6890 to the APG Remote on the G1512A. I'll verify this tomorrow-I didn't do the initial set-up of it.

From there, it should just be a matter of setting the DIP switches on the G1512A correctly, which as I'm sure you know there are about a million different configurations to allow for 5890/HPIB, 5890/INET, and 6890 and of course HPIB address if you're using with a 5890. I can give you exact DIP switch settings on mine tomorrow.

With mine as currently configured, the 7673 is "part" of the 6890, and can be operated from the 6890 front panel if you're so inclined. I've not done it, but it can be done.

Provided you don't have a hardware issue, your combination of parts and software WILL work-it's just a matter of making sure everything is connected correctly and the G1512A is set correctly.

[boulderco]

That sounds like it will work! I'll try your switch settings and cable setup after you share it tomorrow and promptly report back.

[KM-USA]

Does anyone have a different (older) version of MSD chemstation they would be willing to share?

I've got replacement media for G1701AA, if your Agilent license number works with that.

[boulderco]

Does anyone have a different (older) version of MSD chemstation they would be willing to share?

I've got replacement media for G1701AA, if your Agilent license number works with that.

That would be much appreciated if its not too much trouble, I tried a few different switch settings and still cannot get it to recognize it. Can you email the dropbox file to lordanlabs(at)gmail(dot)com? I believe my license will work with it and its certainly worth a shot

[benhutcherson]

Okay, cables are as I described-"6890" port on G1512A to "Sampler" port on 6890, "APG Remote" on G1512A to "Remote" on 6890.

As I said, no HPIB cable on G1512A. The only other cables connected to it are to the tray and tower.

Left bank of switches, 1 and 2 on(up), rest off(down)

Right bank of switches, all off(down)

As I said, zero issues with G1701EA over LAN, and I'm running samples as I type this. The G1512A has not been touched since it was installed May 2021. When I briefly reverted to running on HPIB(long story-basically swapped an HPIB emod into my 5973 while waiting on mainboard repair to the LAN emod) and ran on an older system running G1701BA, I had zero issues setting up the 6890 with the 7673 ALS.

[boulderco]

Interesting, thats the exact configuration I have tried the most and still cant get this thing to read the controller. Are you able to share a copy of the G1701BA by chance?

[benhutcherson]

I don't have my BA disks handy, but can hunt for them next week.

With that said, just to be clear, when you configure the instrument are you specifying that it has an ALS?

I just checked the EA install I have on my computer at home(only do data analysis on it, but installing is all or nothing). When I attempted to add a new instrument, the GC options it gave me were 6890 or 6890 with 7693 ALS. I don't guess I even realized the 7693 was compatible with the 6890, but there it is.

In any case, I'd have to check(I did not set up the EA install at work-Geoff at GLTS was the one who did the LAN conversion on my 5973, set up the 7673 using a tray/tower I had from a 5890, and set up the computer all at the same time) but I suspect on initial instrument set-up he did say 6890 w/7693. Older versions of MSD Chemstation I've used I just remember you had to say there was an ALS on the config screen.

Just to make sure, did you do that?

[boulderco]

I appreciate it, I'll let you know if I get it working in the meantime but at this point I am not very hopeful. I've tried reconfiguring the IO libraries, uninstalling and reinstalling chemstation and all related files, adding SP1 and SP2 updates, as well as a ton of other things as far as switch settings, cable configs ect.,all to no avail. Its just strange that there is no option at all to add an autosampler at any point during any of the above tries. I know the controller and all the cables work, as the ALS works fine with the 6890 controlling it with no chemstation. Truly stumped.