Error Message "The ChemStation did not Complete its Initialization Cycle" when Starting MassHunter GC/MS Acquisition Software

Answer

This Information Applies To: Agilent MassHunter GC/MS Acquisition software

Issue

The MassHunter software performs several checks during the startup sequence. If it detects a problem, an alert message box will be displayed and the message bar on the bottom left of the software window sometimes shows the valuable clue for error.

Resolution

The Alert dialog box appears with the message: "The ChemStation did not complete its initialization cycle". Click OK to display the instrument log file.

The entry in the log file indicates the source of the error. The common sources of the error that are listed in the error log include: 

• Case 1: MSD: Communication Error: caused by broken filament
• Case 2: Invalid Sequence file name or Sequence file corrupted
• Case 3: Incorrect account permissions
• Case 4: Incompatible third-party Sampler Software 

Not all the cases and their solutions are included in this article. Contact your local Agilent Online Technical Support for phone support for further possible solutions.

Case 1: MSD: Communication Error: caused by broken filament

Error in log file: MSD: Communication Error: Download command timed out ('SLICK_BEGIN[192.168.254.10] ABCDEF12'). Error connecting to MSD from Mscfg - SCIL Download command timed out (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Log message indicating MSD communications error

Power cycle the MS and restart the software.

If the error recurs, open the instrument Current Logbook mslogbk.htm file under the path x:\Masshunter\GCMS\n\ (x is the installation drive of MassHunter folder, n is the instrument number).

If the error: MSD Fault - 0X0000000000000008 No Emission Current is displayed, the filament is no longer emitting current and must be replaced (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Current Logbook message after power cycling indicating the filament needs to be replaced.

Solution: Change the filament.

Case 2: Invalid Sequence file name or Sequence file corrupted

Error in log file: D:\MassHunter\GCMS\1\sequence\2019.sequence.xml invalid--couldn't open the file 'D:\MassHunter\GCMS\1\sequence\2019.sequence.xml'. 

Solution:

1. Find the affected file in the specified file path, e.g. D:\MassHunter\GCMS\1\sequence.
2. Move this file to another folder.
3. Restart the software.

Tips: Do not use special characters (dot, percent, question mark, pound, etc.) in the folder/method/sequence path or file name. Do not use long fully qualified file names (Drive:\pathname\filename must be fewer than 42 characters) The Acquisition software loads the method and sequence files used in the last session. If the method or sequence files are not found, the software will load the default method or default sequence automatically. If the method or sequence files used in the last session have been corrupted, move the corrupted files to another location and the defaults will be loaded.

Case 3: Incorrect account permissions (typically corporate IT changed the computer and account permissions).

Error in log file: 1 Access to the path 'D:\2020\GCMS\X2P-5695\Method\ALS-5695-JYD-624-SIM-bf1-1.M\method.xml' is denied (Figure 3)

Figure 3. The error message in the log file

Solution: Switch to the Manager account with full read/write/execute permissions on the local PC and restart the software. 

Case 4: The MassHunter GC/MS Acquisition software is configured with a third-party sampler

Solution:

1. Remove the third-party sampler and its software and reconfiguration to the previous Agilent configuration and restart the software.
2. Contact the third-party vendor and troubleshoot the compatibility of their product with the installed MassHunter GC/MS Acquisition software version.

Learn how to effectively operate your Agilent MassHunter software: Agilent MassHunter GC/MS Data Acquisition for the 5977 Series MSD System user manual on Agilent.com.