I have Waters' Millenium 32 with a HPLC system attached (all Waters equipement)Alliance2690 with 474 fluorescence detector + PC, all bought at the same time, in 2001.

Since the very beginning problems occured with Millenium software -it lost connexion with the Alliance and then blocked, so we had to re-start everything.

Unfortunately, we didn't work enough with the equipement during the first months - just some little tests in training -, so we didn't realise the extent of the problem...

One of these problems was finally "solved" - not really solved, but we found at least the way for getting round it - but the software continues to block regularly everytime we want to run a sequence, so we waste a lot of time in restarting the whole system .

Apparently the only effectiv remedy -as a Waters technicien told us- would be to replace the software and this also involves the replacement of our PC (or one important part of it), since Millenium doesn't exist anymore and our current PC wouldn't be performant enough for the new Empower soft... and this is not cheap, as you can imagine!(it is no more under guarantee)

We think that it wouldn't be fair if we had to replace the whole informatic system at our own expense, since we received it defective, but we didn't really detecte it because we didn't use the equipement enough immediatly after buying it

This is the first time we have such a problem with an equipement and we don't know too much how must we proceed...

Thank you very much for having read at this and thank you in advance for your answers...

You might just purchase a new computer, and try a fresh install of Millenium on your new computer. Of course there might be a good deal of time involved, since you will first have to back-up all of your existing Millenium data files, install the Millenium application on your new pc, then transfer all your backed-up files over. You will also have to remove the BUS/LACE board from your old computer and install it (and the drivers) in your new computer.

Good Luck,

Chris

Thank you for your advice, Chris

Dear Carmen,

I agree with Chris, the first choice is to install the Millennium again. But make shure, you have the option disks deinstalled before deleting the software!
Can you give some more details about the lost connection and the way you solved it?

Dear Andreas,

In fact, we could never solve the problem with the lost connection. We found that sequences stopped only when we introduced a number of injections higher than "1" in the column "# of injections" (replicate injections had to be entered as separate lines if we wanted sequences not to stop in the middle of a run) (why????--> a software bug) an we decided that we would continue to work with our system anyway, just bearing this fact in mind. The PC blocked sometimes but sequences worked enterely.

But the lost of connection problem did never end, and what is worst: only 2 days ago sequences built in separate lines began to stop after the 1st line was run!!!! We don't know how it happens... I put a sample set on to run and part way through, it quits and gives the message "Instrument Failure". Sometimes is the instrument indicated (2690 or 474) and sometimes not.

You can also have a look at an old message in this forum, the subjet: Intermittent Instrument Failure, by Sue Herald, 4 April 2001 (look at Archives Jan 01-June 01)-(we bought the equipement +/- at that date). Sue had the same problem as us), I tried to contact her but she must have changed her mail adress...

What do you think about it?? Apparently there has been a real problem with this product and I'm not theh only one...

What version of Millennium 32?
What Service Pack?
What OS?

Have you tried increasing the tablespace on the project?

I sifted through the Millennium32 defect database. (its on the web site)and did not not see this specfic problem.

Dear Carmen,

there are three checks for your system:
1. Check the alliance log table for unusual power down and power up entrances which fits your message board errors.
2. Check in the config table the controlled by settings of the alliance. It should display the software version (millennium 2.x, millennium 32, ...) installed on the pc.
3. Run verify files and check the verify files result on the pc.

I have another question:
What is the version number of the Millennium software?
It should be at least v 3.05.01! Anything less is not okay - waters was updating from 3.0 to 3.05 for free and from the 3.05 to 3.05.01, because the 3.05 had some mayor bugs.
Better is 3.20, because 3.05.01 has a problem with modifing a running sample set . 3.20 has some other bugs but the bugs can be fixed with some service packs...
And that leads to to a second question: If you are using the 3.05.01 did you modify the running sample set? And if yes, can you say how often you did it?

Hi, Andreas

First of all, thanks so much for your messages!
I've just done what you told me and I found the following:

1. There's no unusual power down and power up
entrances which fits message board errors

2. It's a Millenium32

3. I searched for verify files and run them and I had "long and strange" lists of "I don't know what"... what should I find there, what can help me?

Carmen

Carmen,

What version of Millennium32

3.05
3.05.01
3.2
3.4

What Service Pack,

Look under help/about while in Millennium to find out.

Dear Carmen,

I added one more note at the chromatographyforum. Subject is the Millennium software and as Anonymous asked, it is related to your software version. Please check your version number of Millennium 32.

Now lets go to your questions about the verify files result.

xx files, xxx bytes total
! 0 file(s) found changed
! 0 file(s) missing
! 0 file(s) OK but time stamp changed


Your result shouldn't list any "found changed" or "missing" files.
If there is a missing file it is likely that your problem can be related to a failed installation (lots of can and maybe - it is not for sure that a "found changed" or "missing" file is the source of your problem.)

The question about the compare of the Millennium32 software and the Alliance log file and unusual "power down / power up" entrances was for checking if the power switch of your system is defect. That happend to one of our Alliance some weeks ago and the Alliance was shutting down uncontrolled - even during sequences.
That left us with the last check, the Millennium version. You can get the version number when clicking "Help / About Millennium" at the login window (or any other Millennium window).


Andreas

Andreas, Anonymous,

the millenium version is 4.0
There are no "found changed" or "missing" files.

Carmen

You need to install the latest service pack, check with your service person, 4.0 is still fully supported so this should not be a problem. Also, as was said before, confirm on the config page of your Alliance the it says Controlled by millennium32. I have aslo seen loss comm faults generated by bad IEEE cables.

Carmen,

- file verification
your software installation seems to be okay. I don't have any experience with version 4.0, so it is the best to contact Waters about service packs and if there is a need to install them. Maybe Anon can give you more information too.

- bad IEEE cables
Anon's right, bad IEEE cables could be another reason for your problem. Again ask the waters service about this possiblity. Or do you have some cables to change?

- Next to check:
Have both the detector and the alliance great IEEE id deltas? You can check the id's in the configuration manager -> configure systems, acquisition server, acquisition server name, system name (right mouse klick: properties, then select: configuration menu)
Waters can tell you the best id confiuration. As far as I heard, close id's can leeds to problems.
(Our systems have min. id delta of 5).

- bus/LACE
I had some problems with SCSI cards. To solve the problem I had to deinstall them and insert them into the same slot again. After this procedure the SCSI card was doing well. Had something to do with the pin contacts. So if you know your your pc it's no mistake to do so with the bus/LACE card. Be sure pc and hplc system were powered down before.

If none of our suggestions solves your problem, waters service should check the bus/LACE card, the IEEE cables and the motherboard of the alliance (and maybe that of the detector too). Don't buy a new software version, for me that makes no sense at all.
I have to add that neither a new bus/LACE nor a motherboard for a waters compound comes cheap. I see this as the last choice.

Absolutely install the latest service pack for Millennium 4.0, or get yourself to at least SP I (L is the latest). Also, I presume that the 474 is being controlled through the RS-232 port (COM1?). Check the port settings. They should be baud rate 4800, 8 data bits, no parity, 2 stop bits, flow control Xon/Xoff.

I have to ask: What OS are you using? Should be Win 2000 or XP, not NT, or 98, etc. A few years ago I had some stability problems with Millennium that disappeared when I upgraded the OS from NT to 2000. A few years before that, at another site, we solved problems by upgrading from 95 to NT.

Thanks everybody for all your advice!

I'll have a look tomorrow or next week, 'cause I had no time at all today... I'll tell you about it later... thanks again!

Carmen

searching for buying a BUS LACE card or trading for another waters components
thanks
write to me
ionutu@yahoo.com