Advertisement

Varian 3400 CX plus PC

Discussions about GC and other "gas phase" separation techniques.

10 posts Page 1 of 1
Hello! I would like to connect my old Varian 3400 CX to PC via COM-port. I have Varian Star software, which is capable to control GC, and serial port board installed in GC. Unfortunately, I can't buy proper cable and I am not sure, that I don't need additional ACD boards to record signal directly in software. I can't find this information in manuals and our local Bruker representatives could not help me also. I will be grateful for advices and ideas.
You can only control GC via RS-232. You need external ADC for data collection from detectors.
We have a chance of getting an old 3400 CX for free but are missing the software could anyone help us out?
I have a Star acquisition system collecting data from a PDHID in a 5890 Series II. It has its own, external, A/D box. I'll try to attach a photo on Monday.
Sorry. As I thought about this some more I remembered that my Star system is Ethernet - not serial.
Hi.

I had the same problem, the solution is serial port and Andron cable, you will control the equip rightly.

They send me the cable scheme very kindly, but I dont know if I can send you, contact with them. http://adronsystems.com/
Hi all!

I bought a varian 3800 GC with 2 FID's that came without PC. I'm trying to get it connected to a PC (maybe 6 years old - can't find older ones) is an AMD processor on it and have W7 32 bit on it and Wxp installed in VMware.
The GC has a BNC network connector on the rear and the PC too. Do i need some other parts to get this working?
I have Star 6.4.1 that wants to install the network and a ADC board and can't get any info about it.

I'm not a network specialist and all help is appreciated!!

Kind regards,
Alvin
Hi all!

I bought a varian 3800 GC with 2 FID's that came without PC. I'm trying to get it connected to a PC (maybe 6 years old - can't find older ones) is an AMD processor on it and have W7 32 bit on it and Wxp installed in VMware.
The GC has a BNC network connector on the rear and the PC too. Do i need some other parts to get this working?
I have Star 6.4.1 that wants to install the network and a ADC board and can't get any info about it.

I'm not a network specialist and all help is appreciated!!

Kind regards,
Alvin
0. 3800 has built-in ADC, so no external box is needed.
1. You need an old 10-BaseT HUB wih BNC port which you can use as media converter between 10-Base2 and 10-BaseT (or use dedicated converter like this http://www.ad-net.com.tw/product/10base ... converter/)
2. Configure IP address for your GC from keyboard (kind of SETUP/Change Ethernet settings). IP address has to be in the same IP subnet as your PC network card (this is discussed in installation manual)
3. Install software and try to used.

As one of the authors - i recommend UniChrom
http://www.unichrom.com/3800/cp3800e.shtml

Installation manual is here http://www.unichrom.com/3800/Varian%203 ... %20eng.pdf

At least it just works from Win98 to Win10 32/64 and Linux 32/64

0. 3800 has built-in ADC, so no external box is needed.
1. You need an old 10-BaseT HUB wih BNC port which you can use as media converter between 10-Base2 and 10-BaseT (or use dedicated converter like this http://www.ad-net.com.tw/product/10base ... converter/)
2. Configure IP address for your GC from keyboard (kind of SETUP/Change Ethernet settings). IP address has to be in the same IP subnet as your PC network card (this is discussed in installation manual)
3. Install software and try to used.

As one of the authors - i recommend UniChrom
http://www.unichrom.com/3800/cp3800e.shtml

Installation manual is here http://www.unichrom.com/3800/Varian%203 ... %20eng.pdf

At least it just works from Win98 to Win10 32/64 and Linux 32/64
Thanks antonk!

I found some parts of an old Intel and an antique mobo. I connected it together with the GC after the Wxp intall and Star WS. Have a 10Base2 cable in between the GC and the ethernet card without anything in between.

I was never able to change the IP in the GC(it was on 0.0.0.0 because the battery went out), but it was very easy to change it in Star WS as soon they found each other =)

Well that was the easy part, next week i'll get the gases delivered and i'll have to check the system if it leaks and if everything works fine.

I'll try unichrom as you said, does it needs the old Star WS or other software to work in background?
no need to run other software, just UniChrom, installation manual mentions Galaxie just to simplify IP address detection.
10 posts Page 1 of 1

Who is online

In total there are 45 users online :: 0 registered, 0 hidden and 45 guests (based on users active over the past 5 minutes)
Most users ever online was 4374 on Fri Oct 03, 2025 12:41 am

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 45 guests

Latest Blog Posts from Separation Science

Separation Science offers free learning from the experts covering methods, applications, webinars, eSeminars, videos, tutorials for users of liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, sample preparation and related analytical techniques.

Subscribe to our eNewsletter with daily, weekly or monthly updates: Food & Beverage, Environmental, (Bio)Pharmaceutical, Bioclinical, Liquid Chromatography, Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry.

Liquid Chromatography

Gas Chromatography

Mass Spectrometry