5890 II, convert TCD to MSD, How to

[NewChromatist]

I have a refurbished 5890 II. It came with a TCD and FID. I have connected it to a mass spectrometer but I can not find anyway to declare 'No Detector' in ChemStation, or with the front panel manually. The ChemStation help topic tells me to select 'No Detector' for MSD, but I have never found a dialog box that allows me to declare the detector type. Does anyone know what I need to do to get the 5890 II switched to MSD now?

[tlahren]

It might depend on the version of Chemstation you are using but you will first have to go to Instrument Configuration (usually a separate icon on the desktop) and configure your MSD with your GC. It might be easiest to delete the previous instrument and start from scratch by setting up the GC with the MSD. After it is configured you should be able to select the MSD during your typical method setup instead of a typical "Detector" as they are called in Chemstation. Which version of Chemstation do you have by the way (go to "Help" and "About")?

[NewChromatist]

Thanks for your help. I looked at the config program but couldn't find a way. I will look again and then try the uninstall. I have rev.a.10.02 on a yfwin2000 machine. On another note, the vendor sent the pc but no chemstation disks. I want to switch to xp on a better machine. Do you know if I get the software from agilent or should I contact the vendor?

[tlahren]

That's a pretty old version and I'm quite unfamiliar with it. I'm not sure if Agilent supports or supplies anything for those older version but it might be worth a try. I had read in another Forum Topic that they usually charge like $25 or something like that for another copy of the disks. Your vendor should be able to supply it as well (hopefully). Depending on your budget you might be better off buying a version of Chemstation that's not the latest but fairly newer than what you have. The UI is a lot better. Rev. D.03 is a really good version and has many newer features like QEDIT. You might be able to get these older versions from your vendor for a reasonable price too.

You should look at this website before considering to upgrade your computer though.
http://www.chem.agilent.com/en-US/Suppo ... 00439.aspx
Also make sure that what ever type of data interface card you have on that older computer is compatible with a newer computer. We had this issue with an older ICP-AES. It was a PCI slot but apparently the older ones ran a different voltage than the newer ones and are not compatible. We were unable to upgrade the PC without an entire data interface upgrade. If you have a good IT guy close by they can usually figure this out quickly.

Hope this helps

[NewChromatist]

No luck so for. Config Editor Ver A.1.705 only lets me configure GPIB address, folder locations for files and if I want to add an option like Sample or dual channel interface. Deleting the old instrument and adding a new one only gives the same options. I have contacted the vendor and am sifting through the old forum posts now. It looks like ChemStation ver.B.02.00 is the last compatible with 5890 II. Did you use rev.D.03 with a 5890 II?

Thanks!

[Peter Apps]

Do you want to use the FID / TCD as well as the MS ? If not then a work around might be to unplug the detector connections and their boards - the GC will then see that it has no detectors and might be more amenable to having the setup changed.

Peter

[LCbob]

Hi
Do you have the MSD chemstation software, it will be probably G1701.
I am a bit concerned you say your chemstation is A.10.02, now this sounds like a GC/LC chemstation not a MSD chemstation.

So in the event you dont have MSD chemstation you will need to try and pick up a copy of G1701CA or G1701BA..these 2 are compatable with 5890/5972A. If you have a 5971A then you may need an earlier one.
There are several topics already discussed on using these copies on win xp, just try searching G1701BA or CA.
Hope this helps;)

[NewChromatist]

Thank-you. My MSD is not HP but rather AB Sciex QStar. Do you know if the software will allow me to operate the GC with a non-HP detector?

[tlahren]

You might have to ask Agilent's Tech people about using the AB Sciex MS. I know Thermo uses Chemstation for some of their GC (non-MS) configurations but I don't know which MS brands work with Chemstation. And I think LCbob is correct. You will need a copy of MSDChemstation (G1701). And I don't believe that I have ever used D.03 on a 5890 II. I think our old 5890 II was connected to a 5971 MS using something like HPChemstation G1034C C.02.00.

Hope this helps...

[Peter Apps]

Keep it simple.

Do you have software for the AB Sciex MS ?. If you do you can run the GC from its front panel, rather than from Chemstation, and just start the MS separately. You have still not said whether you want to use the detectors on the GC or not.

Peter

[NewChromatist]

@ Peter Apps, sorry I missed your previous post. I have already removed the FID and could easily do the TCD as well, so maybe we have a workaround option there. I have Sciex software also, Analyst 2.0, and you are the second person to say this might also run the GC. Would I use the GC's GBIP piggybacked on the QStar's or would I maybe need the GPIB to usb adapter? In the mean time I will check through my Analyst help files.

Many Thanks.

[aldehyde]

Set up the GC from the front panel and then control the MS with the software.

The only controls you need for the GC are like zone temperatures/ramps and run time right? Does the 5890 have EPC or manual pressure control?

You can type in your method parameters and then save them from the front panel.

[NewChromatist]

It has EPC. I am also going to remove the installed detectors and see if Chemstation will run a method. The help file actually describes a 'no-detector' configuration for MSD but I have never been able to find a way to select it. If all else fails, I will run from the front panel as you have described.

Thanks

[aldehyde]

If you are using that A.10.02 GC/LC chemstation don't even bother. You need MSD Productivity chemstation, its a separate product.

The GC chemstation version you have is for GC and LC and cannot control an MSD. What about the AB Sciex software? Can you get it to talk to the MS?

[NewChromatist]

I don't want to control the MS with Chemstation. The Sciex software does indeed do that. I want to use Chemstation simply to program my methods for temperature ramping, split control and constant flow etc. If it doesn't work, hopefully the front panel will still work. The problem I am having is that as long as Chemstation doesn't see the FID or TCD ready to operate, it remains in 'Not Ready' mode and will not allow me to start a run even though the column is plumbed to the MS now and not the old detectors.

many thanks for all the info.