>Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2000 14:51:21 +0000
>To: Ed Cheung <ECheung@biomira.com>
>From: Bryan Dunbar <bch143@abdn.ac.uk>
>Subject: Re: ABI 477 Sequencer
>
>Ed,
> we had roughly similar problems with one of our 477A's a couple of years
ago. The instruments' hard disk is almost certainly corrupted and you need
to reload the software. I am not sure how familiar you are with the
sequencer, so forgive me if you already know some of this.
>
>You need to find a keyboard with a 5-pin DIN plug on the end which will
plug into the socket below the reset button on the rear of the instrument.
We found one among a pile of obsolete computer stuff in a storeroom - then
at least you will have a communication link. It's probably a good idea to
switch off, connect the keyboard and switch on again so that the sequencer
"sees" the keyboard.
>
>We treated drive A with a floppy cleaner kit - after a year's storage it's
bound to have some crap in it. We also took the side panel off and remade
the ribbon connectors to drive A at least ten times, to clean off oxidation
on the pins.
>
>You then need to reload the software (part no. 604466) starting with the
disk labelled "formatting diskette" and then follow the screen display's
instructions. We found that our software (which had been sitting around in a
drawer for 9 years) was suspect. We ordered a new set and took it from there.
>
>The 120A PTH analyzer will also need some attention. The piston seals will
need replaced (it's all in the manual - I can give you the part no's if
necessary). You would be best to install a new PTH C18 column and also renew
the two small cartridges (guard and and static mixer) behind the left hand
side door, in the two matt grey holders.
>
>If you get nowhere with all this, you need an engineer who has dealt with
477A's for several years - and that's going to cost. Obviously it depends on
how badly you want it up and running again.
>
>On the chemical side, if the instrument has been prepared properly for
long-term shutdown, it's a case of installing fresh reagents and flushing
lines. Then the sequencer needs to run and run and run - before everything
>comes back into spec. again. You will need to run through section 11.1 -
cycle optimization - in the manual.
>
>Good luck and best wishes from Scotland.
>
>Feel free to call me on the 'phone if you want to address anything more
specific.
>
>Regards,
>Bryan.
>
>
>
>
>
>At 17:49 14/03/00 -0700, you wrote:
>>We have an ABI 477 sequencer in our lab. It was moth-balled for over a
>>year and until recently we tried to determine if it is still
>>operational. This is the first difficulty we have encountered.
>>
>>The computer will boot up from the hard drive and try to launch the
>>application software and ceased. Try to boot it up from the system disk
>>and it will fail reading drive A and give the standard DOS message like
>>Abort, Retry or... Without a keyboard input, there is not much a user
>>can do.
>>
>>Since it is an old instrument, I don't know if it worth having the
>>service engineer from PE Biosystem to try to fix it or should I consider
>>getting rid of it.
>>
>>May be someone can give us some pointers on what the problem might be
>>and is there a quick fix for it?
>>
>>Ed Cheung,
>>Manager, Analytical Development,
>>Biomira Inc.
>>
>>
>>
>
Bryan Dunbar
Protein Facility,
Room WT27,
Department of Molecular & Cell Biology,
University of Aberdeen,
Polwarth Building,
Foresterhill,
Aberdeen,
SCOTLAND.
U.K.
AB25 2ZD.
TEL: 01224-273103
FAX: 01224-273104
e-mail; b.dunbar@abdn.ac.uk
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