Need New LC Software-Looking for advice

[algae man]

I am in the process of getting the HPLC up and running in our lab. It was never used for much in the past and as such no real money was invested in it. The system is comprised of various Waters components. We were previously using a VERY old version of TurboChrom but at some point someone swapped computers and installed one with a GC version of ChemStation. Both software packages did data acquisition but we are looking for it to do a bit more. I think Chemstation can do more if we had the right version. I am also pretty well versed in the various Waters software versions (Millennium, Empower) but know that it is fairly expensive and most likely out of our current budget. I am hoping to get some advice as to some other programs that have the capability to control our equipment, especially since we are looking to add a PDA to the system. I was given a copy of Peak Simple to check out as well as some paperwork on Clarity Chrom, neither of which really fits our needs. So, I essentially am looking for a software package that is inexpensive (under $1500) that will control my system, as well as do std data work up. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Csaba]

Hi, I suppose there is no suggestion here because no-one knows about a software package that is inexpensive (under $1500) with PDA support, sorry.

[a.wombat64]

Hi algae man,

maybe you take a look at "OPENChrom". It a free, community software.
I know they have a lot of data converters for data from other Software (even MS data).

Best regards

[algae man]

I knew it would be a near impossible task but figured it wouldn't hurt to ask. I met with our Waters rep this morning and he gave me an off-hand quote for Empower 3 of about $12k, which I am fairly certain the folks here won't want to pay that. It is pretty clear that I either need to convince my boss to spend more money or I need an alternative to my situation. Thanks for the replies!

[skunked_once]

Check out Clarity software. It may fit your needs.

[sga]

Please let me know an email address where I can write to you.

[algae man]

Ok, so rather than start a new thread, I figured I would just ask my question here..

We are trying to buy some older Waters software on ebay. Looking specifically at a Millennium 32, version 2. I want to make sure it comes with everything I need. It comes with 2 cd's, the license key plus several manuals. Since the seller is a lab clearinghouse, they don't really know if it is complete. I am not as interested in the books as I am in making sure the software parts are all there. Also, do I need a LAC/E card? I know I will once we add a PDA, but at the moment I am running a 600 gradient controller, a 717 autosampler and two 486 detectors. I also have a 431 conductivity detector but we haven't had a need for it yet. Here is a link to it. Thanks again!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Waters-Millipor ... 4ad90b84fe

[algae man]

SGA, you can get me at sthomas@enalytic.com.

[algae man]

One other question....if the software was not officially uninstalled, will it not reinstall on a new computer? I was reading the installation manual and it seems that it needs to mark on the key disk that it is uninstalled to prevent a second installation. Is this correct? Or am I misunderstanding something?

[benW]

Hi algae man,
Here are some considerations before buying...
1) You are correct, the license keys must have been successfully unistalled back to the license disk
2) The license disk must work. These type of disks were a little prone to being unreadable, you will have no support from Waters to get new license key disks if they don't work.
3) The software is reasonably obsolete, so unless you have a controlled environment (which is certainly possible - we have used a very nice setup using Mcaffee for both segragation, threats and database... I digress)
4) I believe I am correct in saying that the license agreement is not transferable, so technically it is not a legal license when resold.

So all that considered, the Ebay item carries very little value.

Did you/did your Waters rep consider Waters Breeze 2? this was based off Empower and has a lower list price and does support PDA (maybe equivalent in price to the Ebay Millennium).
Hope this helps,
Ben

[lmh]

Just a hint to those of you who are still installing ancient Millenium things off key-diskettes. Absolutely right, it is likely you will get minimal support from Waters nowadays, but of course if you bought the product, technically it's yours for ever, so it's a bit harsh if you find that when your hard disk fails, you have lost your installation and can't make it again because the key-diskettes are in the "installed" state.

Here is the procedure to avoid that:

Install Millenium if not already installed
Make a ghost image of the computer
Uninstall Millenium using the key-diskettes (you now have valid key-diskettes ready for a failed hard disk)
Restore the computer from the ghost image
you now have an installation, but the diskettes in their ready-for-use state.

I'm not condoning using this procedure to do anything illegal, just to protect your right to use a piece of software for which you bought a licence. Those key-diskettes were never a good idea. They failed far too easily, and yet offered very little protection against multiple installations, as seen above.