OpenLab ChemStation "Autostart Macro Failed" Error

Answer

This Information Applies To: Agilent OpenLab ChemStation Edition Software (C.01.xx) 

Issue

Agilent OpenLab ChemStation Edition software fails to launch with error containing the words "Autostart Macro failed”. This article will provide you some basic steps in troubleshooting the issue.

Resolution

Scenario 1. Autostart Macro failed, error #xxxx occurred. The reported error numbers are 999, 42, or 17923.

1. Close all online and offline sessions of OpenLab ChemStation.
2. Rename configuration files:
   • For Windows 10: C:\ProgramData\Agilent Technologies\Chemstation\# (where # is the instrument number) (Figure 1)
   • For Windows XP/Windows 7: C:\Chem32\# (where # is the instrument number)
     • CONFIG.REG to CONFIG.REG.old
     • CONF_OFF.REG to CONF_OFF.REG.old
     • ChemStationPerInstrumentSettings.config to ChemStationPerInstrumentSettings.config.old
     • instrument.config to instrument.config.old
     • RapidControl.InstrumentConfig.xml to RapidControl.InstrumentConfig.xml.old



       
       Figure 1: configuration files in C Drive

3. Reconfigure the instrument by following the instruction at How to Configure an HPLC Instrument in the Agilent OpenLab Control Panel Using Auto Configuration or How to Add a GC Instrument in Agilent OpenLab CDS (Ver 2.x) via OpenLab Control Panel. Make sure that the instrument is turned on.  
4. If Configure Instrument option in Control Panel is unavailable, ChemStation running in the background must be forced to close.
   • C:\Program Files (x86)\Agilent Technologies\ChemStation\CORE
   • Double click the CSTools.exe and click Kill ChemStation. (Figure 2)

Tips: File Name Extension will need to be enabled from the File Explorer View menu in order to see CSTools.exe.

Figure 2: CSTools.exe in CORE folder

Scenario 2. OpenLab ChemStation would open after acknowledging this error "Autostart Marco failed, error #65535", but all the instrument modules showed offline and, some modules were not displayed even though they were detected during the autoconfiguration.

This issue is linked to a bad global.config file that had been corrupted during the PC reboot. 

1. Close all online and offline sessions of OpenLab ChemStation. The computer can be rebooted first to ensure that all subprocesses are shut down.
2. Navigate to C:\ProgramData\Agilent Technologies\ChemStation\GlobalSettings (Figure 3)
3. Rename the global.config file to global.config.old. A new global.config file will be created from the default settings.
4. Reconfigure the instrument by following the instruction at How to Configure an HPLC Instrument in the Agilent OpenLab Control Panel Using Auto Configuration via OpenLab Control Panel. Make sure that the instrument is turned on.  
   

Figure 3: global.config file in GlobalSettings folder

Tips: Hidden items will need to be enabled from the File Explorer View menu in order to see the ProgramData folder

If the issue continues, contact your local Agilent Local Support.

Learn how to effectively operate your Agilent OpenLab Chromatography Data System:  Agilent OpenLab Help & Learning Online