Chromatography Forum

Hi Everyone,

Does anyone have experience on how to resolve method problems after reinstalling Chemstation?

Our computer had been running Windows XP, ChemStation A.10.02 (original install) on an Agilent 6890N when Windows crashed. After reinstalling XP and ChemStation A.10.02, I first open ChemStation and the default method/files are there:
DEF_GC.M

I then moved all my (backed up) methods and data back to the METHODS and DATA folders in their original location. When I try to open a method that worked previously, it forces me to go through the resolve method process and can't find the columns that were installed (ie. where would my previous column library have been installed?) It also cannot resolve the configuration.
All my methods that were specific to only using the TCD detector now load by turning on everything (FID and TCD)!

Are there some additional files that I should be transferring back? There are some "extra" files that I backed up from the old installation of Chemstation that do not appear in the new install, or they have more recent dates on them (eg. in the HPCHEM\1 directory that I backed up I have newer config files).

Many thanks in advance for any suggestions or advice!
Christina

I think you'll need to disable the automated Method Resolution function, believe that's in the Win.ini file in A.10.

Unfortunately, all I can remember was MethRes and a - sign, someone here will know.

I think you'll need to disable the automated Method Resolution function, believe that's in the Win.ini file in A.10.

Unfortunately, all I can remember was MethRes and a - sign, someone here will know.

I found the information on an older computer, copied it over on a floppy disc:

IN THE WIN.INI FILE, AT THE END OF THE SECTION JUST BEFORE [PCS,1] ADD THE FOLLOWING,
AND SAVE THE FILE:

DISABLE6890METHRES=1

I'd save a copy of the Win.ini file first before I made any changes, "just in case".

... When I try to open a method that worked previously, it forces me to go through the resolve method process and can't find the columns that were installed (ie. where would my previous column library have been installed?) It also cannot resolve the configuration.
All my methods that were specific to only using the TCD detector now load by turning on everything (FID and TCD)!

Are there some additional files that I should be transferring back? There are some "extra" files that I backed up from the old installation of Chemstation that do not appear in the new install, or they have more recent dates on them (eg. in the HPCHEM\1 directory that I backed up I have newer config files).

Many thanks in advance for any suggestions or advice!
Christina

You need to configure your instrument. There is an .exe file somewhere in your ChemStation folder (config, configure or something like that).
You need to make column inventory again or copy a file with it from previous installation.

I think you'll need to disable the automated Method Resolution function, believe that's in the Win.ini file in A.10.

Unfortunately, all I can remember was MethRes and a - sign, someone here will know.

I found the information on an older computer, copied it over on a floppy disc:

IN THE WIN.INI FILE, AT THE END OF THE SECTION JUST BEFORE [PCS,1] ADD THE FOLLOWING,
AND SAVE THE FILE:

DISABLE6890METHRES=1

I'd save a copy of the Win.ini file first before I made any changes, "just in case".

I've added the line you suggested, but I still have to go through method resolution before the method will run. Maybe I have added the line at the wrong spot, but I have a section [PCS] some lines of commands, then a section call [Dr. Watson] and I've added the line after: DisLen=16
Then the section changes to [PCS,1].

... When I try to open a method that worked previously, it forces me to go through the resolve method process and can't find the columns that were installed (ie. where would my previous column library have been installed?) It also cannot resolve the configuration.
All my methods that were specific to only using the TCD detector now load by turning on everything (FID and TCD)!

Are there some additional files that I should be transferring back? There are some "extra" files that I backed up from the old installation of Chemstation that do not appear in the new install, or they have more recent dates on them (eg. in the HPCHEM\1 directory that I backed up I have newer config files).

Many thanks in advance for any suggestions or advice!
Christina

You need to configure your instrument. There is an .exe file somewhere in your ChemStation folder (config, configure or something like that).
You need to make column inventory again or copy a file with it from previous installation.

I've replaced the config file that was created with the new installation with a copy of my previous config file from the old installation, but that did not help. I did not notice anything different on starting up Chemstation, even after rebooting the computer. My column inventory was also not present/available. When I open up the original method in the 'offline' version of Chemstation I can bypass method resolution to look at the method, and it shows which columns I have installed in the method, and the correct parameters settings (ie. in my TCD methods, no FID parameters turned on), but things get messed up when I open on 'online' Chemstation.