How to acquire Chemstation software/hardware for HP 1050

[Carvone]

Hi all,

We recently inherited an Agilent HP 1050 HPLC. It looks to be in pretty good condition with all cables and connectors. However, it did not come with the computer with the Chemstation software or the computer board.

I wish to know if anyone knows where I may be able to purchase this to get the instrument up and running and start testing it. I know it is a fairly old model, so I am hoping (praying) there may be a place out there with this type of stuff.

Very grateful for any help,

Carvone

[Consumer Products Guy]

Agilent provided free A.06 software to apparently all users (at least to us)for Year 2000 compliance issues (Y2K). So my guess, and just a guess, is that anyone with a ChemStation license could legally load that version.

I have such A.06 ChemStation discs.

There are some questions: do you have a ChemStation license number (a 10-character combination of letters and numbers) ? Obviously your modules were ChemStation equipped (as that was an upcharge on 1050 modules), so someone was using them with ChemStation. Look for stickers with the license number on the module cases themselves; Agilent/HP provided about 6 stickers with the license number, and upon installation many engineers would stick those on the modules.

That said: most likely the license number of one of your existing 1050, 1100, or 1200 HPLC systems could be used. Maybe even Agilent telephone help could supply a universal HPLC license number.

OK, next question: what type of computer, and what version of Windows? We run A.06 (still) using Win95, Win NT4, and Windows 2000 professional.

There is a chart on Agilent Website about compatibility of versions, shows what they've checked out.

If you use Win95/NT 4 and a Pentium 1 computer (and maybe Pentium 2) you can use an 82335 HPIB (GPIB) card in the computer. If you use newer Windows and Pentium 3 or 4 computer (maybe even Pentium 2) you need to use an 82341 or 82350 HPIB (GPIB) card in the computer. I've also got leftover 82335 cards, and with a month may have extra 82341 cards. I don't know if software newer than A.06 is actually required to set up the 82341, and then dummy down to A.06 afterwards, but I think we did that once.

Also, if you use Windows 2000 or XP, apparently there are USB port GPIB adapters nowadays, have no idea what those cost. That might be a better way.

Also, remember that 1050 has been out of support a long time. However, they are darn good units barring autosampler drive and VWD optics major failure. Many of the pump parts are the same as 1100 and 1200 such as pistons, seals purge valves.

You might want to contact a third-party service and have them handle the whole start-up, and they also have spares that Agilent might not have for these. Alpha Omega Technologies, Full Spectrum, others come to mind.

[Carvone]

Thanks so much, CPG. I have read many of your posts before and you are always so helpful and a wealth of information about chromatography.

I looked for the stickers on the instruments and found only one on the top solvent tray/column holder. It had a six digit Model number (5 numbers then 1 letter) and underneath was a 10-digit serial number (All numbers except one letter at the fifth digit). I hope this is what you are referring to.

As for computers, I am totally flexible as to what operating system as it is most important to just have a system that can run the software. I checked on the back and this instrument does not have USB keys but instead connects each unit via HP 10833B and HP 10833D connecting cables.

I will also try to contact Agilent/HP as you suggest and the reseller thir-party companies you mention at the bottom of your post, but if you have a spare HPIB card you think might work, we would be willing to pay for it+shipping.

Thanks again,

[Consumer Products Guy]

License number is different than serial number.

USB would be on the computer, if you run Windows 2000 or newer. USB doesn't work (even if computer has slot) for Win95 or Win NT 4.

Rest assured that no matter whether A.05 or A.10, the results are not affected, just changes to accomodate different versions of Windows, and some small stuff. To the operator, not much difference.

B versions of software (I've been told) are for 32-bit computers/software.

Agilent is in the laboratory instrument business, doubt they'd fight that you were not a legal owner of their software, as you have the equipment.

[dblux_]

License number is different than serial number.

...

B versions of software (I've been told) are for 32-bit computers/software.

...

Just to add a little bit of explanation:

A-version is 16-bit application and B-version is 32-bit application

Both versions run on 32-bit computers (IBM clones) with 32-bit Windows operating system.

BTW - last versions of Windows95 (ie. OEM SR 2.1 and OEM SR 2.5) support USB- http://support.microsoft.com/kb/253756/EN-US

MfG

[Carvone]

Thanks CPG and Dblux for the information. I have not learned anything new yet, but will update when I do.