Performing a Full Reset of an LC/MS Triple Quadrupole System

Answer

This Information Applies To: Agilent 6400 Triple Quadrupole LC/MS systems, MassHunter Workstation 10.1 or below. This procedure does not apply to MassHunter Workstation 12.0 or above.

Issue

Fully reset the LC/MS triple quadrupole system via MassHunter Workstation 10.1 or earlier.

For users who experience slow performance on their Masshunter software, or the LC/MS displays some error messages. The error messages could relate to tune file, autotune, communication issue (MS or any LC module stays offline), etc.

Steps to Follow

1. Close out Agilent MassHunter Workstation Data Acquisition software.
2. From the Windows taskbar, right click the System Engine icon , then click Shutdown Engines (Figure 1).
   The System Engines icon is located in the System Tray at the lower right corner of the Windows taskbar. It may be necessary to expand the System Tray with the small triangle to see this icon.
3. After the launcher icon turns red, click Exit (Figure 1).
   

   
   
   Figure 1. Desktop toolbar System Engine icon commands
   
   

4. After exiting the Engine launcher, run the Remove MassHunter Processes found in the Agilent MassHunter Workstation > Acq Tools folder (Figure 2).
   

   Caution: Do not skip steps 1, 2 and 3 and go straight to step 4. Clicking Remove MassHunter Processes alone might cause corruption of tune files and/or methods.

   
   
   Figure 2. Run Remove MassHunter Processes
   1.Agilent MassHunter Workstation folder in the desktop, 2. Acq Tools folder, 3. Remove MassHunter Processes
   

5. Turn off all the LC modules by pressing the front panel power buttons. The order does not matter.
6. Restart the PC.
7. Turn off the LC/MS TQ by switching off the front power button, wait 5 seconds and then turn it back on.
   
   • The vacuum pumps will continue to run during this time for 30 seconds before powering off. The diverter valve will move once when the power is turned back on. After 2 to 4 minutes, users should hear a second valve switching sound. The full reboot time for the LC/MS triple quadrupole can take a few minutes.
8. Once the second valve movement is heard from the MS, power on all LC modules by pressing the front panel power buttons.
   
   • The order of powering on the LC modules should not matter unless there are hosted modules or older hosts. If that is the case, users should turn on only the possible hosts or modules that do not require a host first. If an older detector (G1315A for example) is the only host module, it is recommended to let it finish booting first before starting any hosted module.
   • A hosted module is a module that cannot operate by itself and requires another module with either Nucleus (B) or Fusion (D) board to control its functionality. Currently it applies to the following modules:
     • G7116A/B Multicolumn Thermostats
     • G1390B Universal Interface Box II
     • G7170B MS Flow Modulator
     • G1170A Valve Drive
     • G4227A Flexible Cube
     • G7166A Valve-based Fraction Collector
   • A host module is a module with build-in LAN, either Nucleus (B) or Fusion (D) board that can host a hosted module.    
9. After the LC modules complete the initialization, start the MassHunter Acquisition by launching the Data Acquisition icon in the desktop. (Figure 3)
   

   
   
   Figure 3. Launch Data Acquisition Icon
   
   

Learn how to effectively operate your Agilent 6400 Series triple quadrupole LC/MS system: Agilent 6400 Series Triple Quadrupole LC/MS with MassHunter Workstation eLearning path available from Agilent education