How to Set Communication with ICP-MS in MassHunter

Answer

This Information Applies To: Agilent ICP-MS systems (7700, 7800, 7850, 7900, 8800, 8900)

Issue

After shutting down and restarting the ICP-MS, sometimes the communication between ICP-MS and PC does not automatically reconnect. It may be necessary to Set Communication in MassHunter manually. 

Requirements

The Agilent ICP-MS uses a LAN communication between the computer and instrument. Verify that the LAN crossover cable is connected to the ICP-MS and to the PC and the ICP-MS is powered on before continuing. 

The following instructions assume default network settings of the Agilent ICP-MS and PC (See Figure 1).

Figure 1: Default LAN Communication Settings for Agilent ICP-MS.

Caution:  Any changes to default network settings will not be accessible by Agilent Representatives. It is the responsibility of your company to know if these default settings have been changed and what they are. You must know the IP address / Host Name of your instrument to continue. If communication cannot be re-established following the instructions in this article, verify with the IT department in your company that the network settings of the PC have not changed.

Steps to Follow

The procedure is different according to the installed ICP-MS MassHunter Software version.

ICP-MS MassHunter 5.1 and above

ICP-MS MassHunter 4.1 to 4.6

For MassHunter 5.1 and above 

1. In the Windows Desktop, double-click the ICP-MS Instrument Control icon

   
   Figure 2. Desktop Icon
   
   

2. From the welcome dialog box, click the Instrument Control button.

   
   Figure 3. ICP-MS MassHunter Welcome dialog box
   
   

3. If the status bar on the left is grey and says Offline, there is no communication between the ICP-MS and the PC.

   
   Figure 4. Status bar
   
   

4. Expand the Hardware menu and select Dashboard to view the Hardware Dashboard screen. 

5. On the Hardware Dashboard screen, click the Mainframe image and click Communication.

   
   Figure 5. Hardware dashboard
   
   

6. Select Online and select the Host Name or IP Address. Click OK

   
   Figure 6. Set Communication dialog box
   
   

7. When communication has been re-established the status bar on the left will no longer say Offline. 

For MassHunter 4.1 to 4.6

1. In the Windows Desktop, double-click the ICP-MS Instrument Control icon.

   
   Figure 7. Desktop icon
   
   

2. From the welcome dialog box, click the Instrument Control button.

   
   Figure 8. ICP-MS MassHunter Welcome dialog box
   
   

3. If there is a red X on the Hardware gadget, there is no communication between the ICP-MS and the PC. Click the Hardware gadget to view the Hardware page.

   
   Figure 9. Hardware gadget without communication
   
   

4. On the Hardware page, click the Mainframe image and click Communication. 

   
   Figure 10. Hardware page
   
   

5. Select Online and select the Host Name or IP Address. Click OK

   
   Figure 11. Set Communication dialog box.
   
   

6. When communication has been re-established, there will be a green check mark on the Hardware gadget.

   
   Figure 12. Hardware gadget with communication.
   
   

Learn how to effectively operate your Agilent ICP-MS System: Agilent 7800/7850/7900 ICP-MS with MassHunter e-learning course available from Agilent education