Batch Tune Report or Batch Report will not Generate or Print

Answer

This Information Applies To: Agilent ICP-MS MassHunter versions 4.4 - 4.6 and 5.x.

Issue

After performing an autotune, the batch tune report will not generate or print.

Background

ICP-MS MassHunter uses an application called ICP-MS Data Analysis File Messaging Service - Task Queue Viewer to generate reports (such as batch tune reports, or batch sample reports) from *.acrt template files.

If a task in the Task Queue Viewer is stuck in Processing status, reports will cease to generate.

Powering off the computer off, then back on, and retrying to generate the report will often resolve the issue. If the issue remains, it is necessary to clear all tasks from the Task Queue Viewer and troubleshoot why the reports will not generate.

Steps to Follow

Tips: Before continuing, close the MassHunter software, power off the computer, then power the computer back on and retry generating the report. If the issue is fixed, no further action is required.

1. With ICP-MS MassHunter open, on the bottom-right Windows toolbar, find the ICP-MS Data Analysis - File Messaging Service icon (Figure 1).
   
   

   
   
   Figure 1. ICP-MS Data Analysis - File Messaging Service icon
   
   

2.  Right click the ICP-MS Data Analysis - File Messaging Service icon, and click Queue Viewer (Figure 2).
   

   
   
   Figure 2. Queue Viewer
   

3. In the Task Queue Viewer table, highlight all tasks with the status Done or Unknown (Figure 3; Item 1) and then click the red X button to delete these tasks (Figure 3; Item 2). 
   

   Tips: Hold Shift on the keyboard and left mouse click each line to highlight multiple lines at once.

   
   
   Figure 3. Agilent MassHunter Workstation - Task Queue Viewer
   1. Tasks with status 'Done' or 'Unknown' highlighted, 2. Delete Tasks button
   
   

4. Highlight all tasks with the status Waiting (Figure 4; Item 1) and then click the red X button to delete these tasks (Figure 4; Item 2). 
   

   Caution: Once deleted, these waiting tasks will not generate a report. It will be necessary to regenerate the missing reports once the issue is resolved.

   
   
   Figure 4. Agilent MassHunter Workstation - Task Queue Viewer
   1. Tasks with status 'Waiting' highlighted 2. Delete Tasks button
   
   

5. Click the blue Stop button to stop the service (Figure 5).
   

   
   
   Figure 5. Stop Service Button (blue square)
   
   

6. Highlight the task with the status Processing (Figure 6; Item 1) and then click the red X button to delete the task (Figure 6; Item 2).
   Note: the stop service button is no longer enabled, signifying the service is stopped (Figure 6; Item 3).
   

   
   
   Figure 6. Deleting tasks
   1. Tasks with status 'Processing' highlighted 2. Delete Tasks button 3. Note: the stop button is no longer enabled
   
   

7. The Task Queue Viewer will freeze after the previous step, and the task will still show in the list. You will not be able to click X to close the Task Queue Viewer application. This behavior is expected. Open the Windows Task Manager App (Figure 7).
   

   
   
   Figure 7. Open Windows application - Task Manager
   
   

8. On the Processes tab (Figure 8; Item 1), highlight IcpReportingPrc (Figure 8; Item 2), and click End task (Figure 8, Item 3).
   

   
   
   Figure 8. Windows Task Manager
   1. Processes Tab, 2. IcpReportingPrc application, 3. End task
   
   

9. Return to ICP-MS MassHunter Instrument Control Software.
10. Light the plasma (if it is not on already), open a batch and go to Tune Modes for MassHunter 5.x (see Figure 9; Item 1), or the Tune Tab for MassHunter 4.x (see Figure 9; Item 2).
    

    
    
    Figure 9. Batch open in ICP-MS MassHunter Software
    1. Tune Modes Tab (MassHunter 5.x) 2. Tune Tab (MassHunter 4.x)
    
    

11. Right click the graph area and from the contextual menu, click Report > Print Current Signal (Figure 10). This action will send a test generate report job to the Agilent MassHunter Workstation - Task Queue Viewer, and it is faster than waiting to generate another tune report.
    

    
    
    Figure 10. Print Current Signal from Tune Modes (or Tune) Tab
    
    

12. Reopen the ICP-MS Data Analysis - File Messaging Service - Queue Viewer (Figure 11).
    

    
    
    Figure 11. ICP-MS Data Analysis - File Messaging Service icon
    
    

13. Check if the Print Current Signal report is created.
    • If the task is in Done status (Figure 12), and the print current signal report is created, continue to step 15 to continue troubleshooting.
    • If this task is also stuck in the Processing status, there could be an issue with the default printer selected in Windows. Proceed to step 14 to continue troubleshooting.
      

      
      
      Figure 12. Task with status: Done
      
      

14. Check what the output destination of Tune Report settings:
    1. Go to Settings > Reporting tab (Figure 13; Item 1).
    2. If the Printer check box is selected, clear it, and select the PDF check box only (Figure 13; Item 2).
    3. Click Close (Figure 13; Item 3).
    4. Follow steps 1 to 11 to delete all tasks and retry sending the print current signal task.
    5. If the print current signal task completes with status Done, and a PDF is generated (based on the settings set in Figure 13; Item 2), this indicates that there is an issue with the selected default printer in Windows. Contact your IT department to assist with troubleshooting the printer issue.
    6. If the PDF does not generate, contact your local Agilent support representative for further assistance.
       

       
       
       Figure 13. Settings page
       1. Reporting tab, 2. Printer check box not selected, 3. Close button
       
       

15. The task that was stuck in the Processing status should now be in Unknown status. Highlight the task with the status Unknown (Figure 14; Item 1) and then click the red X button to delete the task (Figure 14; Item 2).
    

    
    
    Figure 14. Task Queue Viewer
    1. Tasks with status "Unknow" highlighted, 2. Delete Tasks button
    
    

16. Close out of the Agilent MassHunter Workstation - Task Queue Viewer using the top right X (Figure 15) and return to ICP-MS MassHunter Software.
    

    
    
    Figure 15. Close button to close Task Queue Viewer
    
    

17. In ICP-MS MassHunter, return to the batch Tune Modes (or Tune) Tab, right click the graph area and from the contextual menu, click Report > Generate Tune Report ... (Figure 16.)
    

    
    
    Figure 16. Generate Tune Report from Tune Modes (or Tune) Tab
    
    

18.  In the Report Settings dialog box, click the ... icon (Figure 17; Item 1) and select your standard Tune Report Template (Figure 17; Item 2). Click Open (Figure 17; Item 3), then click Generate (Figure 17; Item 4) to retest generating the tune report.
    • If the report is created, it could be the template was renamed, or moved, but the path in Select a Report Template File was not updated. No further steps are required, and the issue is resolved.
    • If the report does not generate, proceed to step 19.
      

      
      
      Figure 17. Selecting a Report Template File
      1. Template selector icon 2. Example Tune Report Template File selected 3. Open button 4. Generate button
      
      

19. Test with a different report template:
    1. Follow steps 1 to 8 to delete the task stuck in Processing status.
    2. Return to step 18 and choose a different Tune Report Template.
    3. If the issue only occurs with a specific Tune Report Template, then that template is corrupt and cannot be used.
    4. If the PDF does not generate, contact your local Agilent service representative for further assistance.

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