Chromatography Forum

Hello all,

I have aquired GC-MS system GC being 5890 series II and MSD being 5970B. However I tried to connect it to computer installed with Chemstation B.02.05 which previously controlled similar GC-MS system GC being 5890 series II and MSD being 5971A.

MSD 5970B and the pump and heater/electronics were manually switched ON and now I don't know how to vent the system which is under vacuum - please advise.

Also we have communications problem - computer doesn't seem to recognize MSD. In Win.ini file it is recognized as SMARTCARD.

What version of Chemstation is required and what version of HP-IB card is required.

Here is a Link with images of MSD and GC.

Their first GC-MSD for Windows and ChemStation was 5971A. 5970 SD used different operating system, then later HP/Agilent devloped a patch to run it on Windows. Someone here will let youknow what Windows level and which GCMS ChemStation version might work, and whether such smartcard can communicate.

You may want to contact Alpha Omega or other vendor that works with legacy units.

I agree with consumer products guy , contact AO. I did run the system you describe for about 20 years. It was shipped with a Unix box running X-windows. Sometime in the late 90's we contracted with a company to enable us to use Chemstation. It was 1701B but I can't remember the version. I think the company that did our conversion was CSS located some where in the mid west.

To answer the questions in the pics:

The valve on the end is opened for tuning; the vial below the valve should have, whatever it's called, PFTBA or something. When you tune you open the valve. When you're done you close it. Eventually you will forget to close the valve and be like 'WTF is with my run!??!'.

The system vent is a push-valve that will vent the system.

I haven't used a 5970 in 10 years or so but, if I recall correctly, to vent you turn off the heaters (first switch) then, when it's cold, turn off the pumps switch and push in the system vent push-valve (hissing sound, which should end). To pull the source you need to pull off the top board (I think) and move the clips holding the source array in place so that they aren't keeping the array in place. Be advised: the source array is kind of gigantic.

As an aside, the system looks like it's in awesome shape.

Now for the bad news. You're probably screwed if the system did not come with a computer and HPIB card. I believe the 5970 could not take a Smart Card II upgrade so (hopefully) you're running Smart Card I. That means your communications options top out with the 82335 card, which needs an ISA-slot motherboard (ack) and cannot run in an OS more modern than Win98 (double-ack). Additionally the 82335 card does not support VISA libraries so you are limited in your options when it comes to Chemstation (I believe G1034C is the last supported, but I may be wrong). I have run a 5970 in Win98 with this configuration (82335 in Win98 with G1034C).

I have also run a 5970 that was running through an RTE interface (no Windows) but that was a really long time ago and it's not something that I recommend, hehe.

Your version of MSD Chemstation will not be able to control the 5970. The last version to support the 5970 was A.03.02 on Windows 95. carl.nott is not quite right about the Smartcard. The 5970 supported Smartcard II & II+ upgrades which were required to run the A.xx versions of Chemstation. The Smartcard I will only work with the G1034C version of Chemstation.
This link may be of use: http://www.chem.agilent.com/Library/Sup ... F05030.pdf

One more thing, when you vent the system, DO NOT use a pen/pencil or some other flimsy device. There is a special tool for it. If you use a pen, it may break off inside the vent.

So,

Just one thing, whole system was a donation from a private lab in Switzerland and was regularly serviced by HP/Agilent until they stopped supporting it and guy I got it from said it is fully working.

@ macgyver: I talked to a guy who gave it to me - he still has the original computer which he used for it and will ship it to me (with original Chemstation on it). For venting I found special tool for it in its kit (also got it with donation).

@carl.nott: Valve is actually plugged by teflon plug or something like that - so that sorts it. Thanks for sorting system venting and source disengaging. As I said computer is hopefully comming soon. And the computer I connected it to is an old win98 with isa slots and 82335 card - but it is then probably Chemstation version mismatch.

Hopefully it will all be better when original computer arrives. Thanks all.

So,

Just one thing, whole system was a donation from a private lab in Switzerland and was regularly serviced by HP/Agilent until they stopped supporting it and guy I got it from said it is fully working.

@ macgyver: I talked to a guy who gave it to me - he still has the original computer which he used for it and will ship it to me (with original Chemstation on it). For venting I found special tool for it in its kit (also got it with donation).Hopefully it will all be better when original computer arrives. Thanks all.

I think that's the best and easiest fix for this. Good luck.

leoglag,

The valve is probably not plugged with teflon, it is probably a teflon vial. 5970's held PFTBA in a teflon vial instead of a glass vial (71's and beyond.) Regarding venting, I was told by 5970 users to never use the vent port. I have always just let everything cool, turned the pumps off and cracked the nut where the column comes into the MS. Patience is a virtue here...

Best regards,

AICMM

Hopefully it will all be better when original computer arrives. Thanks all.

Yep, that should definitely help. No thanks required (though it is appreciated), this sort of discussion helps everyone, and I found out a 5970 can, in fact, use a Smartcard II upgrade.

I'm hoping that you're pleasantly surprised with the performance of the 5970. I did not like running one for semi-volatiles as the source is a bit of a bear to clean but in my experience the gasket design helps them pump down beautifully and the one we had in volatiles was incredibly solid, though it was not terribly sensitive.

And my dear friends,

Original comp. has arrived and still when I try to go to Vacuum/Diagnostics or anything I get the message:

The mass spectrometer interface card is not active.

is it indicative - I don't know.

Also Turbo doesn't start - last night it started and pressure gauge was reading 9.5 -4 and falling-and this morning it was again 1.3 -3 -we have plugged the column side of transfer line so....I don't know...

any suggestions on these situations?

I have also tried to push the heater/electronics button on/off couple of times to try to reset electronics (found in some manual) - didn't work.

Same message....

I need to check this forum more often.

Anyhoo, so having trouble. Do a google search for 'cci labs' and go to the contacts page and send me an email if you want to chat a bit in depth.

Having the above problem: I get a message, "the mass spectrometer interface card is not active", and can't find any more information.

The valve on the left is your calibration gas. It should be off when not tuning (off is pointing at 3 and 9 o'clock). I posted the procedure for pump down on GLeslie's post. Yours would be the 5970 with white rocker switches. Follow that to get started. Let us know what happens.

Hi All,

I am trying to get a 5890 coupled with a 5970 back on her feet. She's in great nick but am getting the same error message that leoglag was getting re interface card not active and the ms not being online.

The instrument has all the appropriate software and cards. Any suggestions would be very VERY welcomed.

All the best,

Kit

Do you have a brown/tan tab board installed? If so and you're not using it, shut off electronics, remove board and try again.