Perkin Elmer Turbomass/TotalChrom

[Fat Jonny]

We have an AutoSystemXL with an FID detector connected to a Turbomass Gold MS.

We use the FID detector on the AutoSystemXL and the MS on the TurboMass Gold as separate detectors. This means one day we may have a GC-FID analysis batch to run or another day we may have a GC-MS analysis batch to run.

The TotalChrom 6.2 release notes state that we should not install TotalChrom onto a machine running Turbomass. Is this correct? If so, how do I run a GC-FID analysis batch using Turbomass 5.4 without using the MS or having it under vacuum, and without an MS method file in the sequence list?

The Turbomass User's Manual is lacking in any information on FID analysis!

Thanks in advance!

[scottythree]

Would it be possible to hook up a separate computer for TotalChrom and switch wires between both computers?

[Fat Jonny]

Seems a little silly if that is the only way.

The GCMS is capable of using multiple detectors so I don't see why this should be necessary.

WHen running in MS mode with Turbomass it is possible to collect data from a second detector (i.e. FID). However, this still requires an MS method in the sequence list, still requires the MS to be pumped down under vacuum and still requires at least SOME MS data to be collected.

My "solution" so far when running a 30 minute FID run is to collect 0.1 mins of MS scan data from m/z 50-51.

But since the two software packages seem to be incompatible on the same PC (I get errors when installing both), there must be a solution to this?

[scottythree]

I was just going for a quick fix It does seem silly! The two programs must share similar "conflicting" files. Your best bet is to get a hold of a good PE Rep.

[Fat Jonny]

Yeah I'm trying....

I may just stick an MS/FID column splitter in there and treat the machine as a permanent dual detector system. That way I can just use Turbomass for everything. Seems the FID on a GCMS system should be considered a 'secondary' detector and can't really be used as the main/only detector. Weird...

Just wondered if anybody out there was using a similar system....

[rnuijts]

Maybe VMWare software can help. it allows you to create virtual 2 computers instead of physical. on 1 computer you can open two (or more) other computers with their own operating system, drivers, registry, and file structure etc.

So from 1 virtual computer you can run Turbomass and the other TotalChrom.

[J_Medve]

Virtual Machines are fantastic!!! However, when it comes to controlling instruments, especially when we talk about data intensive communication, like with an MS, there MIGHT be problems. I don't say there will be problems, but you cannot take it granted that this will work. Maybe the vendor have some experience. By the way, were your "Yeah I am trying..." successful? What did they say?

[Fat Jonny]

"I'm trying" meant I was waiting for a response. I finally got one and am copying what he said in case anybody else needs it:

TotalChrom (TC) and Turbomass (TM) can both be installed on the same PC but there needs to be some tweaking.

1. Install TM first then install TC
2. During the TC installation, it will default to install to C:/Turbomass, change this to C:/PenExe (which is where it would default to if TM wasn't installed)
3. Use the SwitchVer.exe file in the C:/Turbomass folder to switch between applications. This closes down any processes that may interfere with each other and prevent the errors I was seeing.

The latest TC (6.3) has removed the need for using SwitchVer, but I have only 6.2 so still need it.