Varian, Inc.

2700 Mitchell Drive

Walnut Creek, CA 94598-1675/USA

Star Chromatography Workstation

Version 6

Data Acquisition with

3400/3600 GC Control

Operation Manual

©Varian, Inc. 2002 03-914730-00:Rev. 5

Trademark Acknowledgment

Microsoft, Windows, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT,

and Windows 2000 are registered trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation.

Other brand and product names are trademarks or registered

trademarks of their respective holders.
Table of Contents
Getting Started......................................................................................... 1
About this Manual .........................................................................................................1
Additional Manuals........................................................................................................1
Data Handling and Reports Operation Manual....................................................1
Data Handling and Reports Tutorial Manual .......................................................1
Star Toolbar ..................................................................................................................2
Elements of the Star Toolbar ...............................................................................3
Application Buttons ..............................................................................................3
Quick Link Buttons ...............................................................................................4
Star Toolbar Options............................................................................................4
Starting System Control the First Time .........................................................................5
Configuring an Instrument.............................................................................................9
Modules and Instruments Defined .......................................................................9
Elements of the Configuration Screen .................................................................9
Setting Instrument Parameters ..........................................................................11
The Instrument Window ..............................................................................................11
Elements of the Instrument Window ..................................................................12
Displaying Instrument Status and Control Windows..........................................13
Configuring the 3400/3600 GC Status and Control Window .............................13
Configuring the 8200 SPME AutoSampler Status and Control Window ...........15
Configuring the CombiPAL AutoSampler Status and Control Window .............16
Configuring the ADC Board Status and Control Window ..................................19
Configuring the Real-Time Chromatogram Display...........................................20
Documenting Module Information......................................................................21

Ethernet Communication Setup ........................................................... 23

What Do I need to Know about Networks...................................................................24
Isolated Network ................................................................................................24
Company Network .............................................................................................25
Where to Begin ...........................................................................................................27
Setting the Network Properties for Isolated Network ..................................................27
Setting the Network Properties for a Company Network ............................................30
Setting the Star WS BOOTP Server to Assign IP Addresses.....................................31
Assigning IP Addresses from Star WS BOOTP Server.....................................34
Adding Star 800 MIB to Instruments in System Control .............................................36

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control i

Using the Star 800 MIB.......................................................................... 41
Connecting to an Instrument.......................................................................................41
Analog Signals ...................................................................................................42
Synchronization Signals.....................................................................................42
Serial Communication Signals...........................................................................43
The Star 800 MIB Status Window...............................................................................44
Star 800 MIB Method ..................................................................................................45

Building Methods .................................................................................. 47

Overview .....................................................................................................................47
Using Star Assistant to Create a New Method ...........................................................48
The Method Builder Window.......................................................................................54
Editing a Method .........................................................................................................55
Method Notes.....................................................................................................55
3400/3600 GC Control Settings.........................................................................56
GC AutoSampler Window ..................................................................................60
8200 AutoSampler Control Settings ..................................................................62
CombiPAL AutoSampler Control Settings .........................................................64
ADC Board Data Acquisition Settings................................................................69
Post-run Processing...........................................................................................71
The Startup Method ....................................................................................................75
Editing Methods from the ADC Board Status and Control Window............................75
Changing Method Endtime from the ADC Board Status and Control Window...........76
Importing Method Sections .........................................................................................76
Deleting Method Sections ...........................................................................................77
Printing the Method .....................................................................................................77
Password Protecting a Method ...................................................................................78

Injecting a Single Sample ..................................................................... 79

Using the Inject Single Sample Dialog Box ................................................................79
Specifying the Data File Name and Path ....................................................................80
Specifying Per-Sample Data Handling Parameters....................................................82
Specifying a RecalcList...............................................................................................84
Monitoring the Status of the Runs...............................................................................85
Using QuickStart .........................................................................................................86

ii 03-914730-00:5
Injecting Multiple Samples.................................................................... 89
Using a SampleList in System Control........................................................................89
Specifying the Data File Name and Path ....................................................................92
Specifying Per-Sample Data Handling Parameters....................................................94
Specifying a RecalcList...............................................................................................96
Changing Default SampleList Entries .........................................................................97
Reading Vial Positions from an 8200 AutoSampler....................................................97
Monitoring the Status of Runs.....................................................................................99
Saving SampleLists for Later Use............................................................................ 100
Using More Than One Method for Injections ........................................................... 101
Changing the Method in the SampleList......................................................... 101
Using the Sequence Window.......................................................................... 102

Automation File Editor ........................................................................ 105

Accessing the Automation File Editor ...................................................................... 105
Editing or Creating a RecalcList............................................................................... 106
Editing or Creating a SampleList ............................................................................. 108
Specifying the Data File Name and Path ................................................................. 112
Specifying Per-Sample Data Handling Parameters................................................. 113
Specifying a RecalcList............................................................................................ 114
Changing Default SampleList Entries ...................................................................... 115
Using More Than One Method for Injections ........................................................... 115
Editing or Creating a Sequence ............................................................................... 117

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control iii

iv 03-914730-00:5
Getting Started

About this Manual

This manual describes the operation of the Star Chromatography
Workstation when used with the Star ADC Board for chromatography
data acquisition. It covers configuring an instrument for data
acquisition, building a method, and running samples. For post-run
data handling, peak integration, and standard report generation,
please refer to the Data Handling and Reports Operation Manual.

Additional Manuals
Other sources of information are available to help you get the most
from this product.

Data Handling and Reports Operation Manual

This manual describes post-run and interactive data handling,
standard report generation, and advanced application.

Data Handling and Reports Tutorial Manual

The tutorials provide a practical way to quickly learn how to perform
basic tasks using the Star Chromatography Software. These
Tutorials cover Star Workstation operation that is common to all
instrument configurations.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 1

Star Toolbar

Star Chromatography Workstation is a suite of applications for

controlling chromatographs, collecting data from chromatograph
detectors, and analyzing that data. The Star Toolbar provides quick
and easy access to the Star Chromatography Workstation
applications. When activated the Star Toolbar behaves very much
like the Windows Taskbar. It can be docked on any of the four sides
of the display screen and other Windows programs will not cover or
go behind it when they are opened in full screen mode.

If the Star Toolbar is not already opened on your Star Workstation,

you can start it from the Windows Start Menu.

2 03-914730-00:5
 GETTING STARTED
Star Toolbar

Elements of the Star Toolbar

Application Buttons for
immediate access to the
selected application.

ToolTip shows the

Quick Link Buttons provide Application Descriptions give a
application name when the
menu selections of operations brief description of the application
cursor rests on the
to be performed on the listed that will be opened when the
Application Button.
file. cursor rests on the Application
Button.

Application Buttons
Used to monitor instrument status, perform automated
injections, and perform batch recalculations.

Used to view and edit instrument operation, data

acquisition, and data handling methods.

Used to review chromatograms, interactively edit data

handling parameters, and recalculate results.

Used to preview standard chromatogram and results

reports.

Used for offline editing of SampleLists, RecalcLists

and Sequences.

Used to generate standard reports for a group of Data

Files by dragging and dropping them on the Batch
Report Window.

Used to set Star Workstation security options and

passwords.

Other application buttons may be added to the Star Toolbar when

you install additional Star Workstation Options, such as StarFinder,
Star Custom Report Writer, and PolyView2000.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 3

 Quick Link Buttons

Most Recently
Used Data File

Menu of operations that can be

performed on the Most Recently
Used Data File.

List of Most Recently

Used Files

Most Recently Used

Method

Menu of operations that can be List of the Most Recently

performed on the Most Recently Used Methods
Used Method.

Star Toolbar Options

Menu of Star Toolbar configuration

options and operations that may
be performed.

4 03-914730-00:5
 GETTING STARTED
Starting System Control the First Time

Starting System Control the First Time

The first time that you use the Star Chromatography Workstation to
control your instrument, collect chromatographic data and generate
results, you must configure the System Control application. The
System Control Configuration Window allows you to set the
communication parameters for each of your chromatograph modules
and to drag the various modules into Star Workstation instrument
areas to match the physical plumbing arrangement of your modules.
Once the instruments are configured in System Control, the
configuration is stored and you only need to reconfigure System
Control when you change the physical hardware configuration of
your chromatograph modules.

Start by running System Control.

Click on the System Control / Automation button

on the Star ToolBar to start System Control.

When System Control is started the first time, the Star Assistant
Communication Configuration Wizard will appear to guide you
through the setup of GC and ADC Board communications.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 5

 The Star GC Workstation installation installs control drivers for 3400,
3600 and 3800 GCs, ADC Board, Star 800 MIB, 8200 AutoSampler,
and CombiPAL AutoSamper. If the 3800 driver is enabled you will be
presented with the “Ready to Setup Ethernet Communications”
window. If you will be controlling a 3800 GC refer the “Star Data
Acquisition with 3800 GC Control” manual to setup communications.
If you are using the Star 800 MIB to collect data from the 3400 and
3600 GC, please refer to the “Ethernet Communication Setup”
section of this manual. If you will be using a Star ADC Board, click
on the Next and OK buttons until you are presented with the “Ready
to Setup ADC Board I/O Ports” window.

6 03-914730-00:5
 GETTING STARTED
Starting System Control the First Time

Read the description presented in the Star Assistant window and

click on the Next button to advance to the next step. The first time
the Star Assistant guides you through the setup of your ADC Board
I/O addresses, you will get the following message:

Click on the OK button to let the

System Control application search
for any installed ADC Boards.

When System Control finishes searching for installed ADC Boards,

you will see this screen.

Star Workstation Module Shows which ADC Boards

number for the ADC Board have been detected, if any.
at the specified I/O
Address. ADC Board S1 switch
System Control finds all settings for the specified I/O
installed ADC Boards and address. If an ADC Board
indicates their addresses. was found, these settings will
280 is the recommended match the switch on the ADC
base address. Board. If the ADC Board was
not found or is not installed,
the S! switch settings on the
ADC Board should be set to
match these.
Select the style that
matches the S1 switch
on your ADC Board.
Click on next to continue
with the Star Assistant..

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 7

 When the Star Assistant is finished configuring the ADC Board
communications, you will be presented with the “Ready to Setup
COMM Ports” window. Click on Next to advance to the next step
until the following screen appears:

If you will be using a serially-

controlled CombiPAL AutoSampler,
specify CombiPal as the device
connected to the COM Port.
If you will be using a serially-
controlled 8200/SPME AutoSampler,
specify 8200 as the device
connected to the COM Port.

Click on OK and when the Star Assistant finishes, you will be at the
System Control Configuration screen.

8 03-914730-00:5
 GETTING STARTED
Configuring an Instrument

Configuring an Instrument

Modules and Instruments Defined

System Control communicates with hardware modules that are
used to perform chromatography. When you group these modules
together in System Control (and physically connect together any
necessary cables and plumbing), they form an instrument. All
modules in an instrument are synchronized to run on the same time
base. For Star Workstation with 3400/3600 GC Control, an
instrument can consist of one or more ADC Boards electrically
connected to your 3400/3600 chromatograph including detector
output(s) and also a serially-controlled 8200/SPME AutoSampler or
CombiPAL AutoSampler.

Elements of the Configuration Screen

Instrument Parameters --
Instrument Name
Operator Name
Instrument status

Click on this button to

enter or change the
Instrument Name,
Operator Name, and
Maximum allowable
error count.

Instrument Window – drag modules from the

Modules that have logged in and available module area to add them to an
are available for configuration instrument. Double-click in this area to view the
into an instrument are displayed System Control Status and Control Window for this
here. instrument. For the Star GC Workstation Single
Instrument, there will only be one instrument
window shown on this screen.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 9

 If you are using an integrated 8200
AutoSampler (the 8200 is connected directly to
the GC) or an 8134 Stream Selector Valve, the
GC should be the AutoStart Module.

If you are using an

8200/SPME AutoSampler or
Combi Pal AutoSampler
serially-controlled via a
COM port, the AutoSampler
should be in the AutoStart
module.

If you are making manual AutoStart Module area. The

injections or are using another module placed in this box will
autosampling device such as a begin running when you start
purge and trap unit or a a run from System Control,
headspace analyzer, leave the and it will send a start signal
AutoStart Module empty. The to the other modules in that
GC and ADCB will be started instrument.
by these devices or started by
hand.

10 03-914730-00:5
 GETTING STARTED
The Instrument Window

Setting Instrument Parameters

The instrument name
When the maximum number of
appears on reports and
non-fatal errors is exceeded
in the instrument
during automation, the automation
window.
sequence halts. Setting this value
to zero disables this feature.
The operator name
appears on reports.
You are optionally prompted for
this information when you start an
automated sequence of injections
or recalculations.

The Instrument Window

Once you have configured your instruments, you may view any
instrument window.

Double-click in this area

or select the instrument
from the Instrument menu
to view the System
Control Status and
Control Window for this
instrument.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 11

 The instrument window allows you to monitor the status of all
modules assigned to the instrument, perform injections of one or
more samples, and perform batch recalculations.

Elements of the Instrument Window

3600 GC Status and
Control Window

Instrument Status display

shows Operator and
Instrument Names, free
disk space, connected
modules, open method,
and the number of
injections, calculations,
recalculations, and reports.

Quick Link button for

the selected Data File.

List of the most recently

used Data Files. Data
Files are added to this list
box as they are generated.
When a Data File is
selected, its name appears
on the Quick Link button
above. This Quick Link
button provides access to
additional operations for
the selected Data File. Real Time Chromatogram Display

ADC Board Status and

Control Window

System Control Instrument Window positions are remembered the

next time you start System Control.

12 03-914730-00:5
 GETTING STARTED
The Instrument Window

Displaying Instrument Status and Control Windows

If the Status and Control Windows

for the modules configured in the
instrument are not currently
displayed, you can select Show
Module Windows from the Windows
menu.

Configuring the 3400/3600 GC Status and Control

Window

Updates the
8200 carrousel
display.

Temperature limits
for the heated
zones can be set
here.

Displays the installed

GC hardware.

8200 carrousel is displayed if enabled and

controlled directly by the GC. A stream
selector valve can also be displayed here if
present.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 13

 The Temperature Limits dialog is accessed from the Temp Limits…
button.

Method parameters are checked

against temperature limits set here.
Methods with temperatures
exceeding these limits are not
downloaded to the GC.

The Hardware listing is accessed from the Hardware… button.

Installed hardware is listed here.

If you are using an 8034

AutoSampler or 8134 Stream
Selector Valve, you enable
and configure it here.

14 03-914730-00:5
 GETTING STARTED
The Instrument Window

Configuring the 8200 SPME AutoSampler Status and

Control Window

Press Inject button

to inject a single
sample.

Edit the active method.

Updates the 8200 Configure the

carrousel display. 8200 hardware
options here.

Double-click on a
vial position to
inject a single
sample.

The hardware options is accessed from the Hardware…button.

Select sampling device type here.

This setting must match the setting in
the 8200 AutoSampler Control
configuration section of the active
method.

Select injector configuration here

when using a SPME sampling
device.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 15

 Configuring the CombiPAL AutoSampler Status and
Control Window
The following figure shows the CombiPAL Status Window. For a
detailed description of the CombiPAL Status window and its controls,
please refer to the online help in System Control.

The left side of the window shows the CombiPAL Operation

parameters: RunTime, EndTime, Injection Mode, Method State,
Fault State, and current Vial location. The Inject, and Reset
pushbuttons control the CombiPAL’s immediate operation. The
Method pushbutton opens Method Builder for editing of the active
CombiPAL method.

The middle section shows the Active Sample Status. This section
indicates the Name, Location, Injection, current Activity of each
sample as it is processed by the CombiPAL, and the status of the
active sample list.

16 03-914730-00:5
 GETTING STARTED
The Instrument Window

The right side panel shows the heater status: the Syringe, the
Agitator and the Bakeout Station. If any of these accessories are not
used in the method, the status will show N/A.

A row of buttons separates the CombiPAL Status windows from the

sample tray layout window. The Hide Keypad button allows you to
conceal the keypad display and gain a larger view of the sample
tray. The Unlock CPAL button releases Star Workstation control of
the CombiPAL to establish manual control. It then becomes a “Lock”
button that allows you to regain control.

The Hardware button allows you to look at the configuration of the

CombiPAL hardware that are entered by the user on the CombiPAL
keypad terminal and/or detected by the CombiPAL, the type and
position of sample trays, the position of installed injectors, the
Barcode Reader. It also allows you to set the Standby Temperature
of the Syringe, Agitator, and Bakeout Station if these devices are
present.

The following figure shows the Hardware Configuration dialog for the
CombiPAL.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 17

 The bottom portion of the CombiPAL Status window displays the
sample tray layout that is specified in the CombiPAL Hardware
Configuration. This configuration is read every time the CombiPAL
connects to the Workstation. If a Vial location is referenced in the
Active SampleList, it is colored red, green, blue, or gray depending
upon its status. Red indicates that there are injections of the sample
remaining to be performed; green indicates an injection of the
sample is currently running; blue indicates that all injections of the
sample have been completed; gray indicates that the vial is
programmed in the sample list but was not found when the
CombiPAL tried to sample the vial.

Double-clicking on a vial position will open the Inject Single Sample

dialog box to inject a single sample. Double-clicking in the void
beside the racks or between vials will open the Active SampleList
window to edit the active sample list.

18 03-914730-00:5
 GETTING STARTED
The Instrument Window

Configuring the ADC Board Status and Control

Window
Method parameters and synchronization signals can be configured in
the ADC Board window.
Change the
Method end
time.

Show only the

chromatogram
display.

Edit the active Method. Select the Enable or disable

channels to synchronization signals.
view.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 19

 Configuring the Real-Time Chromatogram Display

Enable/disable the
Enable/disable the cursor display.
Use these buttons Auto Scale feature.
to move between Select the
stored scalings. background color
for the display.

Hide/unhide
the toolbar.

Set both the

amplitude and time
axes to full scale.

Set the amplitude

axis to full scale.

Set the time axis

to full scale.

Drag an area of
the display to view
a more detailed
section of the plot.

…or zoom in both axes by pressing

and holding the left mouse button on
the spot you wish to enlarge. (Holding
the Ctrl key down will allow you to
zoom out.)

20 03-914730-00:5
 GETTING STARTED
The Instrument Window

Adjust amplitude
scale.

Hide/unhide vertical
Adjust time scale.
amplitude scale slider.

Documenting Module Information

You may wish to document the configuration of your modules, their
installation and most recent service dates, and other information
pertinent to your instrument. To do so, use the Module Information
Editor accessed from the Edit menu in the instrument window.

Click on the module

window to give it
the focus.

Select Edit Module Info.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 21

 The Module Information Editor window is displayed.

You may add and

edit sections and
items in sections.

Select Help for

details on creating
and editing module
The injections value information.
is updated each time
an injection is
performed.
Click on Done to
close the window.

Module information is copied into Data Files generated after

injections and can be included in the Run Log portion of the results
report.

22 03-914730-00:5
Ethernet Communication Setup

This section describes the procedure for configuring your computer

for use with the Star 800 MIB that communicates with the Star
Workstation over a standard 10BaseT Ethernet connection. Your
system can easily be expanded from a single module on a single
Star Workstation configuration to multiple modules on a single Star
Workstation. In a fully networked lab, it is possible to have several
Star 800 MIBs connected to any one of several Star Workstation
systems located anywhere on the network.

The term Ethernet refers to the cables and interface cards that are
used to connect devices on the network. Several types of Ethernet
cables exist, and if you are connecting your Star 800 MIB to an
existing Ethernet network, you will need to use cables compatible
with 10BaseT Ethernet connections. Generally these will be Ethernet
category 3 or Ethernet category 5 cables with RJ45 connectors.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 23

What Do I need to Know about Networks
The Star 800 MIB uses TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol /
Internet Protocol) to communicate over the Ethernet network.
Ethernet is a set of hardware specifications that govern the way a
device is connected to the network. This section of the manual
describes the Ethernet connections used to connect these modules
to Star Workstations.

The term TCP/IP refers to the software protocol that allows various
devices to communicate with each other over a network.
Communications over the Internet and the World Wide Web use
TCP/IP. Since the Star 800 MIB use TCP/IP to communicate with the
Star Workstation, the Star Workstation PC and the Star 800 MIB
need to be given unique IP addresses—the addresses that are used
to identify each networked TCP/IP device. The process used to
assign IP addresses to the PC and to the Modules is also covered in
this section of the manual.

Isolated Network
If you have one Star 800 MIB to connect directly to the Star
Workstation PC and the Star Workstation PC is NOT connected to a
company network, then you may connect your Star Workstation and
Star 800 MIB directly to each other using the Ethernet crossover
cable supplied with the Star 800 MIB.

Star Star 800 MIB

Workstation

Ethernet Crossover Cable

p/n 03-933511-01

If you want to connect several Star 800 MIBs to one or more Star
Workstations, then you will need to use an Ethernet 10BaseT hub or
switch and Ethernet Category 3 or 5 patch cables to connect the
modules and the Star Workstation PCs to the Ethernet hub or switch.

24 03-914730-00:5
 ETHERNET COMMUNICATION SETUP
What Do I need to Know about Networks

Star Star 800 MIB

Workstation Ethernet Patch Cables
p/n 03-926129-01 or -02

Star 800 MIB

Ethernet
Hub or Switch
Star 800 MIB

Star
Star 800 MIB Workstation

We refer to this type of special purpose network as an Isolated

Network (one that does not have IP addresses provided by a
Network Administrator).

Company Network
You may also connect your Star Workstations and Star 800 MIBs to
a company Ethernet network used for purposes other than
instrument control (such as Internet access or file server access).

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 25

 Star 800 MIB Ethernet Patch Cables
p/n 03-926129-01 or -02

Star 800 MIB

Star 800 MIB

Ethernet
Hub or Switch

Star Star 800 MIB

Workstation

Uplink connection to
Company Network

Uplink connection to Company Ethernet

Company Network Network
Star
Workstation
Star 800 MIB

Ethernet
Hub or Switch
Star 800 MIB

Star 800 MIB Star

Workstation

Ethernet
Patch Cables
Star 800 MIB p/n 03-926129-01 or -02

We refer to this type of multi-purpose network as a Company

Network, and a Network Administrator in your company will typically
manage it. If this is the case, then some of the settings needed to
configure your Star 800 MIB and Star Workstation PC will need to be
provided by your Network Administrator.

The Star 800 MIB is provided its IP address either by the BOOTP
server included with Star Workstation or by BOOTP software running
on your network. The software used to send IP addresses to TCP/IP
devices is called a BOOTP Server (Bootstrap Protocol Server). You
will see the term BOOTP Server mentioned in this manual. If you are
connecting your modules and Star Workstation to a company
network, your Network Administrator should be made aware that the
Star 800 MIB would require a BOOTP Server for IP address
assignment.

26 03-914730-00:5
 ETHERNET COMMUNICATION SETUP
Where to Begin

Where to Begin
Before beginning the configuration process, you should know
whether you will be attaching your Star Workstation PC, the Star 800
MIB to a company network (as described in the previous section) or
as an isolated network only used for instrument control. If you have a
Network Administrator on site, you may wish to ask which
configuration is recommended.

Use this information to determine the order in which you should read
the following sections.

“Setting the Network Properties for Isolated Network”

describes the procedure for configuring the TCP/IP
parameters of your Star Workstation PC for use with No
Company Network.

“Setting the Network Properties for Company Network”

describes the procedure for configuring the TCP/IP
parameters of your Star Workstation PC for use on a
Company Network.

“Setting the Star WS BOOTP Server to Assign IP

Addresses” describes the process of getting the Star
Workstation to assign IP Addresses for the modules
connected to the network.

“Adding Star 800 MIB to Instruments in System Control”

describes the process of configuring and adding the
modules to instruments.

Setting the Network Properties for Isolated Network

Note: The following section describes a procedure specific to Windows 2000.
If you are running Windows NT 4.0 or Windows 98, the Windows and
dialog boxes shown will differ from those you see on your system, but
the procedure described here is essentially the same as the one for
Windows NT 4.0 or Windows 98.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 27

 If you will be connecting your Star Workstation PC directly to one or
more Star 800 MIB modules, with no connection to the company
network, then you can use the following network properties on your
PC:

Subnet mask [Link]

Gateway
DNS

To access the TCP/IP network properties click on the Windows Start

button and select Settings Network and Dial-up Connection
Local Area Connection Properties.

From the installed component list, click on the TCP/IP protocol and
select properties. Since your Star Workstation PC is only connected
to the Star 800 MIB, you can set the IP Address to any value, for
example [Link].

28 03-914730-00:5
 ETHERNET COMMUNICATION SETUP
Setting the Network Properties for Isolated Network

If the TCP/IP is not listed in the list of Network components, then

click on the Install button and select Protocol from the list of Network
Components Type, and select Microsoft as the manufacturer and
TCP/IP as the Protocol.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 29

 If your isolated network contains multiple Star 800 MIBs, and Star
Workstation PCs or a combination of these, then each device on the
network will need a unique IP address assigned to it. You will need
to keep track of which IP addresses have been used to avoid
assigning duplicates.

Note: After making changes to the network properties in the PC, save the
changes and then shutdown and power off the PC. This will ensure that
the Ethernet board is reset and communication is restarted with the
new properties.

Setting the Network Properties for a Company Network

If you will be connecting your Star Workstation PC to your company
network, you should contact your Network Administrator to obtain
the static IP addresses for each device, the gateway, domain, DNS
settings, and WINS settings that should be used. Note that each
Workstation PC must have a unique IP address.

To access the TCP/IP network properties click on the Windows Start

button and select Settings Network and Dial-up Connection
Local Area Connection Properties. The following is only an
example of the Network TCP/IP properties for the Star Workstation
PC when connected to a company network.

30 03-914730-00:5
 ETHERNET COMMUNICATION SETUP
Setting the Star WS BOOTP Server to Assign IP Addresses

Setting the Star WS BOOTP Server to Assign IP Addresses

If you are using a Company Network and the Network Administrator
has a BOOTP Server on the network that will be providing the IP
Addresses for the chromatography instruments connected to the
network, you should skip to the next section. For all other
installations, choose one Star Workstation PC to be the BOOTP
server.

Note: It is good practice to have only one BOOTP server on a network.

1. Power up your Star Workstation PC that will be the BOOTP

server. The Star 800 MIBs connected to the network should still
be powered down.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 31

 2. When System Control has started for the first time, the Star
Assistant Communication Configuration Wizard will appear to
guide you through the Ethernet communication setup.
Otherwise, start System Control and choose Setup Ethernet
Communications from the Instrument drop down menu. Click on
the Next button. The Setup Ethernet Ports dialog will display a
table of module Addresses (44, 45, 46, 47), Module Type, and IP
Address or Domain Name.

3. Click on the Setup button located at the right side of the window.
The “Setup BOOTP Server” dialog box will display a table with
the headings Ethernet Address, IP Address, and Host Name.

32 03-914730-00:5
 ETHERNET COMMUNICATION SETUP
Setting the Star WS BOOTP Server to Assign IP Addresses

4. Check the box labeled “Manage IP Addresses from this

Workstation” and select that you want to manually assign IP
Addresses or enter the number of IP Addresses you wish to
have automatically assigned if you have a sequential block of IP
addresses to assign. If you are on a Company Network, your
Network Administrator will provide the IP Addresses to be
entered. Now OK each of the dialog screens that are displayed.

5. Close System Control.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 33

 Assigning IP Addresses from Star WS BOOTP Server
1. Invoke (or re-invoke) System Control on the Star Workstation
and choose Setup Ethernet Communications from the
Instrument drop down menu. Click on the Next key. Click on the
Next button. The Setup Ethernet Ports dialog will display a table
of module Addresses (44, 45, 46, 47), Module Type, and IP
Address or Domain Name.

2. Click on the Setup button located at the right side of the window.
The Setup BOOTP Server dialog box will display a table with the
headings Ethernet Address, IP Address, and Host Name.

Verify that the PC IP address in the title bar and Ethernet settings at
the bottom of the dialog box are correct before proceeding.

3. Power-up one of your Star 800 MIBs.

4. Within a couple of minutes, the Ethernet address will appear in

the table for the Star 800 MIB that you just turned on. If you are
in a network environment, this could take longer. If you have
chosen to manually assign IP Addresses, you should enter one
now, otherwise, it should appear automatically in this dialog box.
If you are on a Company Network, your Network Administrator
should provide this IP address.

5. Enter a descriptive name in the Host Name field for your Star
800 MIB. If you are on a Company Network, your Network
Administrator may provide this name.

6. Repeat steps 3, 4, and 5 for each Star 800 MIB connected to

your network.

7. When all of the chromatographic devices have been powered up

and had their IP Address and Host Name entered into the table,
click OK.

The following is an example for Isolated Network IP addresses that

were assigned to a Star 800 MIB. These IP addresses are not
provided by a Network Administrator, However, the IP addresses
must be on the same segment as your Star Workstation PC that was
assigned an IP address of [Link] in this section of the manual.

34 03-914730-00:5
 ETHERNET COMMUNICATION SETUP
Setting the Star WS BOOTP Server to Assign IP Addresses

The following is an example for Company Network IP addresses that

were assigned to a Star 800 MIB. A Network Administrator provided
these IP addresses.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 35

 Allow a couple of minutes for the Star 800 MIB to get their IP
Addresses and finish booting.

Adding Star 800 MIB to Instruments in System Control

Once you have configured your Star Workstation computer and the
Star 800 MIB for network communication, you may select up to four
Ethernet modules to be controlled from each Star Workstation. If it is
not already running, start System Control. The Star Assistant
Communication Configuration Wizard will be displayed if you have
not yet configured your Star 800 Ethernet connections. Click on the
Next button to advance to the Setup Ethernet Ports dialog box.

36 03-914730-00:5
 ETHERNET COMMUNICATION SETUP
Adding Star 800 MIB to Instruments in System Control

1. In the Setup Ethernet Ports Dialog box, click on the Module Type
drop down box for one of the lines and select 800.

2. Press the TAB key and type in the IP Address or Host Name of
the Star 800 MIB that you wish to control.

3. Click on the “Config…” button located to the left of the Star 800
MIB that you want to configure. The Assign ADC Channels
dialog box will be displayed. Each Star 800 MIB channel can be
configured for the analog signal level and synchronization signal
polarity.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 37

 4. The top half of this dialog box is a table for the settings of the
analog and synchronization signals. The different rows allow the
configuration of analog channels connected to different
instruments. ONLY the analog channels connected to detectors
in the same instrument should have their settings on the same
row. There will be one 800 icon created for each row that has an
analog signal setting. Multiple analog signal settings in the same
row are different channels in the same 800 MIB.

Select the analog input signal range from the drop down box for
each channel that is being used.

5. Next select the Start In and System Ready Out synchronization

signal settings from the drop down boxes for each row that has
channel entry. The bottom half of this dialog box allows the
optional serial ports to be configured. For Varian detectors, Start
In should be set to “when closing” and Ready Out should be set
to “when closed”.

6. When the entries are complete, click on Save.

7. Click OK on the dialog box reminding you to restart System

Control for the changes to be implemented.

8. Click OK to close the Setup Ethernet dialog box.

9. Close and restart System Control.

38 03-914730-00:5
 ETHERNET COMMUNICATION SETUP
Adding Star 800 MIB to Instruments in System Control

10. When System Control is restarted, 800 icons corresponding to

the analog channels just configured for the Star 800 MIB will
appear. These icons can now be configured into the instruments
and used like any other module in Star Workstation.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 39

40 03-914730-00:5
Using the Star 800 MIB

This section describes the use of the Star 800 Module Interface Box
(MIB) with the Star GC Workstation. For information on the operation
of the Star Workstation, please refer to the earlier sections of this
manual.

Note: For information on the Star 800 MIB setup and configuration, please
refer to the Ethernet Communication Setup section of this manual.

A maximum of four Star 800 MIBs can be configured in one

computer for use with the Star Chromatography Workstation
software.

Connecting to an Instrument
The Star 800 MIB provides up to four channels of analog-to-digital
signal conversion (ADC) with chromatographic module
synchronization contacts for each analog channel. Synchronization
signals, START IN and READY OUT, are used to provide automatic
operation of the instrument and data collection. The Star 800 MIB
can also provide a serial interface to 3400 GCs, 3600 GCs, and
standalone 8200/SPME AutoSamplers when equipped with the
optional serial interface board.

All of the instrument interface connections are on the right side of the
Star 800 MIB.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 41

 Analog Signals
The analog signals connect to the Star 800 MIB using a 4-pin mini
DIN (round) connector that attaches to one of the analog signal input
ports in the middle of the right side of the Star 800 MIB. Depending
on how the Star 800 MIB was ordered, there will either be two or four
analog input ports on the Star 800 MIB.

Analog cables are sold separately and they are available with
various end configurations to match the Varian detector analog
output connectors. Included with each analog signal cable is the
corresponding synchronization cables. The following analog signal
cables are available and the cables appropriate for your installation
should have been purchased and be available to complete this
installation.

Description Part Number

Analog Cable with 3-pin Molex Connector 03-907938-04
For use with 3300, 3400, 3410, 3500, and 3600
GC.

Synchronization Signals
Two orange screw terminal strips are provided for synchronization
signals to the Star 800 MIB. One of the terminal strips is labeled
“Start” and is used for the Start Inputs to the Star 800 MIB. The other
terminal is labeled “Relays” and is used for the Ready Outputs to the
instrument(s) whose analog signal is being collected by the Star 800
MIB. The synchronization signals are contact closures and the
polarity of the signal is set in the Star 800 MIB configuration from
Star Workstation System Control.

42 03-914730-00:5
 USING THE STAR 800 MIB
Connecting to an Instrument

Connect the tinned ends of the Start synchronization cable to the

pair of terminals that correspond to the analog input port being used
for that instrument.

Analog Port Relay & Start

Terminals
1 1, 2
2 3, 4
3 5, 6
4 7, 8

Serial Communication Signals

If the Star 800 MIB is equipped with the optional four-port RS-232
serial card, the Star Workstation can use these serial ports to control
3400 GCs, 3600 GCs, or Standalone 8200/SPME AutoSamplers.
The RS-232 serial card connections (if installed in the Star 800 MIB)
are to the left of the analog input ports. They are a block of four
rectangular RJ45 modular connectors.

Serial cables are sold separately and are designed to connect to

specific Varian instruments. The following table lists the serial cables
that are available and the device to which they connect.
Description Part Number
Serial Cable to PC 9 pin D-shell 03-907938-12
For connection to Standalone 8200/SPME
AutoSamplers that have the PC serial cable
installed.
Serial Cable to 3000 series GC 03-907938-13
For connection to 3400 GC and 3600 GC that
have the GC Serial I/O Card installed. NOTE:
This cable does not provide for detector signal
acquisition. For acquisition of the detector
output signal, the previously described
analog/synchronization cable sets are also
required.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 43

The Star 800 MIB Status Window
Below is shown the status window for the Star 800 MIB that is
configured with 2 ADC channels, one connected to a PS-320
detector and one connected to a PS-363 detector.

On the left of the Star 800 MIB status window is the Run Status that
includes the usual Workstation buttons (Start, Reset, Method Edit
and Endtime).

The center section of the Status window shows the Channel Status,
which includes the number of channels and the Detector Name for
each channel as specified in the currently active Method. To the right
is the Level status window, which shows the signal level during the
run. The far right section shows the Range of the signal that is
specified during the Configuration process of the Star 800 MIB (refer
to the Ethernet Communication Setup section of this manual). The
lower part of the Status window shows the Real Time chromatogram
displays. Refer to the Star 800 MIB help file for more information
about the parameters shown in this window.

44 03-914730-00:5
 USING THE STAR 800 MIB
Star 800 MIB Method

Star 800 MIB Method

From the Star Workstation Method Builder window, select the Star
800 MIB Set Condition Method section. The Parameter Entry pan will
be displayed. The top section of the window contains data
acquisition and display settings. The table at the bottom of the
window allows entry of Star 800 MIB labeling and scaling information
including a Data Units column to specify the Units for the detector
signal that is being digitized. Please refer to the Method Editor Help
files for more information on the Star 800 MIB Method section.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 45

46 03-914730-00:5
Building Methods

Overview

In the “Getting Started” section, you configured your hardware for an

instrument and opened the System Control Window for the
instrument. At this point, you could simply inject a sample, as
described in the following sections. However, it is not likely that the
default Method will have the Method settings that are appropriate for
your analysis. Therefore, the default Method will need to edited to
enter the settings appropriate for your analysis. Method Builder is
used to view and edit Methods. It can be accessed from:
This button on the Star This button on the Star Toolbar
Toolbar opens Method allows you to view and edit the
Builder and prompts you to Method file shown on the
create a new Method or button.
open and existing one.

This button on the System

Control Toolbar allows you to
view and edit the Method file
shown on the button.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 47

Using Star Assistant to Create a New Method
If you click on the Method Builder button on the Star Toolbar, you will
get this dialog box.

If you choose Create a New Method File, the Star Assistant Wizard
will guide you in building this new Method.

48 03-914730-00:5
 BUILDING METHODS
Using Star Assistant to Create a New Method

You will first be asked to select the instrument configuration for

which you want to create a Method.

Select Custom to create a

Method for an instrument
that is not attached to the
Star Workstation.

Select an Instrument to create

a Method for the hardware
currently configured for that
instrument in System Control.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 49

 If you select Custom, the following dialog box will appear…

Select the proper

address for modules.

Select and add

hardware modules
from here.

50 03-914730-00:5
 BUILDING METHODS
Using Star Assistant to Create a New Method

If you select an existing Instrument, the following dialog box will

appear…

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 51

 Once your hardware modules are configured, the next dialog box will
ask you to select the detector channels on which you wish to perform
post-run processing.

If the instrument has more than one detector

configured, all of the configured detectors will
be shown here. You may build a Method for
any detector or combination of detectors shown
in this box.

52 03-914730-00:5
 BUILDING METHODS
Using Star Assistant to Create a New Method

For each detector in the Method, you will be asked to select the
channels on which post-run processing will be performed.

When you have selected the data channels and type(s) of post-run
processing to be run for each detector, the Star Assistant will create
a Method containing all of the sections that are needed to control the
hardware, collect data and do the post-run processing specified.
These Method sections will contain default values for all of the
parameters. These parameters will need to be edited to match your
analysis.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 53

The Method Builder Window

Title Bar

Menu Bar

Toolbar

This navigation window

shows the overall structure of
the Method, its sections, and The parameters window shows
subsections. The branches the parameters for the
can be expanded by clicking highlighted item in the navigation
on the plus sign or contracted window. Method parameters are
by clicking on the minus sign viewed and edited in this
to show the desired level of window.
detail.

Detailed information about the menu items and Toolbar buttons can
be found in the online help.

54 03-914730-00:5
 BUILDING METHODS
Editing a Method

Editing a Method
As you step down through the Method tree, the parameters
associated with each section of the Method are displayed for editing.

Method Notes

The first item in the Method is the Method Notes section. Method
Notes is a free form text field where information about the Method or
the application can be entered. Method Notes are displayed in the
File Open dialog boxes used whenever you select a Method.

Method Notes can help explain to the operator when a Method

should be used. They can also be used to convey sample
preparation information and reminders to refer to specific items in the
lab’s Standard Operating Procedures.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 55

 3400/3600 GC Control Settings
The 3400 or 3600 GC Control entry specifies the Star Workstation
module address of the GC that the Method uses. The module
address in the parameters window can be changed so that a Method
developed for an instrument using one module address can be easily
modified for use on another instrument at a different module
address.
…and the editable
Highlight a section fields will appear
here… here.

The 3400/3600 GC Control Method Section contains seven Method

windows. These windows contain all parameters that control the
operation of the 3400/3600 GC during a chromatographic run. Edit
these windows according to the installed hardware particular to your
GC. The following screens show an example Method using many of
the editable fields. Consult the online Help for more details on all the
editable fields.

56 03-914730-00:5
 BUILDING METHODS
Editing a Method

GC Injector window

Select the injector type :

Enter a temperature
program here.

The calculated End

Time will appear
here.

For an SPT(Sample
Preconcentration Trap), set
the trapping temperature and
time here.

Set the trap desorption

temperature and time here.
There can be two programmed
steps. The first desorption step
is the start of the analysis.

The End Time of the 3400/3600 GC Method will be the longest

temperature program end time or isothermal hold time of all used GC
control zones. This End Time will appear in the 3400/3600 status
and control window in System Control.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 57

 Select the type here:
GC Auxiliary window

Set the description here:

GC Column window

A graphical
representation of the
Temperature
Program will appear
here.

Enter a temperature
program here.

If you have the appropriate pressure-flow

hardware installed, set the column
The calculated End parameters here to calculate column flow
Time will appear here. and linear velocity.

58 03-914730-00:5
 BUILDING METHODS
Editing a Method

GC Detectors window

Detectors can be time

programmed to
change attenuation,
range, A/Z, and other
detector-specific
parameters.

Select the Detector

Type here.

GC Relays window

If you have relay

hardware installed in
your GC, you program
them from here.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 59

 GC AutoSampler Window
If you have an 8200 AutoSampler or an 8134 Stream Selector Valve
(SSV) controlled directly by the GC, then you will need to configure it
from this window. If either of these two autosampler types are
configured, a diagram of 8200 rack-vial locations and 8134 SSV
stream positions will appear on the 3400/3600 Status and Control
window in System Control.

For an 8200 AutoSampler, select the sampling

mode here. (For a more detailed description of Select the
these modes and their parameters, refer to the autosampler type
online Help.) here.

Select the wash solvent to

be used and configure the
syringe size here.

60 03-914730-00:5
 BUILDING METHODS
Editing a Method

GC status and control module with

GC-controlled 8200 AutoSampler.

GC status and control module with

GC-controlled 8134 Stream Selector
Valve.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 61

 8200 AutoSampler Control Settings
If you have an 8200/SPME AutoSampler controlled by the
Workstation PC via a Com Port, then you will have to configure it
from this window.

Select carrousel
Coordinate SPME Prep Ahead type here.
with the GC’s cycle time here.

SPME Sampling Mode.

Select SPME-specific
sampling parameters here.

62 03-914730-00:5
 BUILDING METHODS
Editing a Method

Coordinate Automixing Prep

Ahead with the GC’s cycle time
here.

Select carrousel
type here.

Select the wash

solvent to be used
and configure the
syringe size here.

SPME Sampling Mode.

The liquid sampling

parameters of the 8200
AutoSampler can be
customized in User-
Defined Mode.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 63

 The PC-controlled 8200/SPME AutoSampler will have its own
separate status and control module window in System Control.

CombiPAL AutoSampler Control Settings

The table below summarizes the capability of the software
Liquid Headspace SPME
Syringe Sizes 1.2, 5, 10, 25, 1.0,2.5, 5.0 mL Fiber Holder
100, 250 µL

Control of Injection Full Control Full Control Position of Fiber from

Parameters Bottom of Vial

Heating and Agitation n/a Heating/Mixing or Heating/Mixing or

Sample from Tray Sample from Tray

Prep-Ahead One Sample One Sample One Sample

Bar Code Reading Yes Yes Yes

64 03-914730-00:5
 BUILDING METHODS
Editing a Method

Prep-Ahead is used to minimize dead time between runs. It is turned

on when a GC Cycle time is entered in the method. GC Cycle time is
the total of GC run time, cooldown time, re-equilibration time and any
post-run data handling time. The CombiPAL controlled by Star
Workstation is capable of Prep-Ahead for one sample only.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 65

 The following three figures show the method parameters for the
three Injection Modes, Liquid, Headspace and SPME. They contain
all the parameters that remain unchanged during the processing of
samples in a SampleList. The Method should be configured to
match the Hardware Configuration on the CombiPAL.

66 03-914730-00:5
 BUILDING METHODS
Editing a Method

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 67

 Barcode Reader
The barcode reader can be used in two modes: To Generate Sample
Names (barcode is entered in Sample List) and To Validate Sample
Names(barcode is checked against the Sample List).

If the barcode reader is used to generate sample names, the user

should leave the sample name column in the Sample List blank. Any
pre-existed sample names in the sample list will be overwritten by
the barcodes read by the barcode reader. If the barcode cannot be
read, the pre-existed sample name will be retained and an error will
be generated.

If the barcode reader is used to validate sample names, the user

should enter sample names in the sample list. If the name on the
barcode label read by the barcode reader differs from the name the
user enters into the Sample List, or if the barcode cannot be read,
the name in the Sample List will be retained. An error will be
generated. If the user does not enter names in the Sample List, an
error will be generated whether or not the barcode label can be read.
The barcode name will not be entered into the Sample List.

The user will specify how many errors are allowed before a run
sequence is aborted. The "Max Errors" is entered in the dialog box
for "Instrument Parameters" that appears when sample injection is
called out.

For a detailed description of all other CombiPAL AutoSampler

Method Builder parameters, please refer to the online help in Method
Builder.

68 03-914730-00:5
 BUILDING METHODS
Editing a Method

ADC Board Data Acquisition Settings

The ADC Board entry specifies the Star Workstation module address
of the ADC Board that the Method uses. The module address in the
parameters window can be changed so that a Method developed for
an instrument using one module address can be easily modified for
use on another instrument at a different module address.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 69

 The ADC Board Set Conditions screen allows the user to set the end
time for the ADC Board Data Acquisition. This end time can also be
set from the ADC Board Status and Control Window Endtime…
button in System Control. Names for the detectors associated with
Channel A and Channel B and their full scale values can be entered
for annotation on the printed reports.

This is the length of time

that the ADC Board will
stay in monitor mode for
noise monitoring.

The ADC Board Data Acquisition screen allows you to change the
Detector Bunch Rate and Noise Monitor Length. The Detector
Bunch Rate sets the frequency of the raw data points stored in the
Data File. The Noise Monitor Length specifies how many of the data
points will be used to calculate the noise value. The length of time
that the ADC Board spends in monitor mode is the product of the
frequency of data points and the Noise Monitor Length.

70 03-914730-00:5
 BUILDING METHODS
Editing a Method

Post-run Processing

Multichannel detectors can have post-run processing sections for

any or all of their channels. For the Method shown above, post-run
processing has only be chosen for ADC Board Channel A. The post-
run processing for Channel A includes both Data Handling (peak
detection and integration) and Standard Reports (numerical results
and chromatogram).

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 71

 The Data Handling section has parameter pages for Integration
Parameters, Peak Table entries, Calibration Setup, Verification
Setup and Time Events (integration control parameters). For the
initial setup of a Method the default values are usually a good
starting place. For information on these Data Handling parameters
and setting them for your application, please refer to the Data
Handling and Reports Operation Manual.

72 03-914730-00:5
 BUILDING METHODS
Editing a Method

The Standard Reports section sets the parameters for the

information that will be printed after Data Handling has been run.
For a complete description of the Standard Report options, please
refer to the Data Handling and Reports Operation Manual. Until you
get comfortable using the Star Workstation, you may want to always
print the chromatogram and results (default options). To help
identify the reports that are generated, you will probably want to give
them a Method-specific title. To do so simply, click in the Title box
and type in the title to be used on the chromatogram and results
report pages.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 73

 The Results Format page controls the format of the results table, the
result units to be printed in the Amount column header and the
number of decimal digits to print for the calculated amounts. It also
controls what additional information is appended to the end of the
results report.

74 03-914730-00:5
 BUILDING METHODS
The Startup Method

The Chromatogram Format page controls the formatting of the

printed chromatogram. When the defaults are used, the
chromatogram for the complete run will be printed and autoscaled to
fit on one page. You may only want to print the portion of the
chromatogram that contains the peaks of interest. This may be done
by changing the start and end times to bracket the period of interest.
AutoScale is often turned off and a fixed attenuation and zero offset
chosen so that printed chromatograms from several runs may be
visually compared. For more information about the Chromatogram
Format parameters, please refer to Data Handling and Reports
Operation Manual.

The Startup Method

When you start System Control and display an Instrument Window,
the last active Method for that instrument is activated. When System
Control is started, it will return to the initial settings in the Method that
was last used on the instrument.

To change Methods, simply click on the activate Method button on

the System Control Toolbar or choose New Method from the File
menu.

Editing Methods from the ADC Board Status and Control

Window
The ADC Board Status and Control Window Method… button allows
you to directly edit the active Method corresponding to that ADC
Board. When you click on this button, Method Builder is opened with
active Method loaded and the corresponding ADC Board Instrument
Control section selected. You can then edit that section or any other
section of the Method as described previously.

Once you have edited the Method and closed the Method Builder
window, you are prompted to reactivate the Method. Reactivating
the Method downloads the changes to the ADC Board.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 75

Changing Method Endtime from the ADC Board Status and
Control Window
The ADC Board Status and Control Window Endtime… button allows
you to immediately change the end time of the active Method
Instrument Control section corresponding to that ADC Board. This is
useful if you wish to extend a run while the run is in progress.
Changing the end time in this manner updates the end time in the
stored Method. This end time will then be used until the Method end
time is changed by again using the Endtime… button or editing the
Method.

Importing Method Sections

You may wish to copy sections from one Method file to another.
This can be done by opening the Method file that you want to edit in
Method Builder. Then from the Method Builder File menu, select
Import Section… The Import command prompts you to select the file
containing the sections you wish to import.

Once you have selected the file, a dialog box of sections contained
in the Method file is displayed. Highlight the sections that you wish
to import by clicking on them. If you click on one section and the
hold down the shift key while clicking on another section, all of the
sections in between will be selected. Holding down the control key
while clicking on a section will add that selection to those files
already selected. Clicking on a highlighted section while holding
down the control key will remove that section from the list of selected
files.

76 03-914730-00:5
 BUILDING METHODS
Deleting Method Sections

When the desired sections have been highlighted, click on the Import
button to import them into the Method being edited. If the Method
already has sections with the same module address and channel ID,
you will be prompted to reassign a new module address and channel
number to the imported section or overwrite the existing section in
the current Method.

Deleting Method Sections

To remove sections from a Method open the Method containing the
sections you wish to remove in Method Builder. Click on the Delete
Section button on the Method Builder Toolbar or select Delete
Section from the File menu. A dialog box of sections contained in
the Method file is displayed. Highlight the sections that you wish to
delete by clicking on them. If you click on one section and the hold
down the shift key while clicking on another section, all of the
sections in between will be selected. Holding down the control key
while clicking on a section will add that selection to those files
already selected. Clicking on a highlighted section while holding
down the control key will remove that section from the list of selected
files.

When the desired sections have been highlighted, click on the

Delete button to delete them from the Method being edited. You will
be prompted to confirm that you want to delete each section before it
is deleted.

Printing the Method

To print a Method from Method Builder, click on the Print button on
the Toolbar and select the Method section or sections to be printed.
The active Method can also be printed from the System Control
Toolbar and the Star Toolbar. Click on the Active Method Options
button on the System Control Toolbar or on the Method Operations
button on the Star Toolbar and select Print Method.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 77

Password Protecting a Method
A Method can be password protected from changes by clicking on
the Set Password button on the Method Builder Toolbar or selecting
Set Password from the File menu. Enter the password and then re-
enter it to verify that it was not mistyped. After a Method has been
password protected, the password will be required to save changes
to the Method.

Once a Method is password protected, it can be activated and used

for instrument control and data acquisition. It can also be viewed
from Method Builder. Only the saving of changes to the Method will
be inhibited unless the correct password is entered.

78 03-914730-00:5
Injecting a Single Sample

By now you should have your instrument configured and a basic

Method built for data acquisition. If this hasn’t been done, please
refer to the previous sections for instructions on doing this.

Using the Inject Single Sample Dialog Box

You can inject a single sample from System Control by using the
Inject Single Sample dialog box.

Display the Inject Single

or by clicking on the
Sample dialog by selecting
Inject Single Sample
it from the Inject menu…
button on the toolbar.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 79

 The Inject Single Sample dialog box is displayed.

Refer to the Specifying

Data Handling
Specifies the number of Enter notes about Parameters section of
injections of this sample. the sample. this manual.

Enter information
about the sample.

Click Inject to
start the run.
Change the The fields in the table
location and name change depending on the
Select the Method of the Data Files. type of sampling device
to use for the run. configured in the
instrument.

If you have an 8200 AutoSampler or CombiPAL AutoSampler

configured as part of your instrument, there is a shortcut available to
you. Instead of going to the Inject Single Sample, double-click on the
vial position you wish to inject from in the carrousel display. This will
bring up the Inject Single Sample dialog box with the vial number
already entered.

Specifying the Data File Name and Path

Data File names can be up to 255 characters long. Sample ID,
injection date, module name, and injection number can be
embedded in the file name making the Data File name correlate with
each sample injection. When you click on the Data Files… button,
the Data Files Generation dialog box is displayed. This dialog box
allows you to select the path and the filename “specification” for the
data file is displayed.

80 03-914730-00:5
 INJECTING A SINGLE SAMPLE
Specifying the Data File Name and Path

The left side of the Data File Generation dialog box allows you to
select the drive letter and subdirectory (path) where the data files are
to be stored. The default directory is the data subdirectory of your
Star directory.

The right side of this dialog box allows you to create a filename
“specification”. You can combine text entry with the “%” variable
symbols shown to specify filenames that contain sample injection
specific information. An example of the filename is dynamically
updated as you type in the filename specification. This makes it
easy to see how a Data File created with this filename specification
would appear.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 81

Specifying Per-Sample Data Handling Parameters
Most Data Handling parameters are specified in the Method used
during the injection. Some parameters may vary on a per-sample
basis, and are therefore specified when you perform the injection.
The following Data Handling parameters can be specified on a per-
sample basis:

Unidentified Peak Factor

Multiplier

Divisor

Amount Standard when one Internal Standard is being used

Refer to the Data Handling and Reports Operation Manual for a brief
description of these parameters.

Refer to the Regulatory Compliance Manual for a complete

description of how these parameters are used to calculate results.

Not only can you specify these parameters on a per-sample basis,

but you can specify them on a per-detector channel basis. This is
useful if, for example, you have an ADC Board with channel A and
channel B connected to two different detectors on your GC. In
addition, if you are using multiple internal standards, you can also
specify their amounts on a per sample and per detector channel
basis.

82 03-914730-00:5
 INJECTING A SINGLE SAMPLE
Specifying Per-Sample Data Handling Parameters

To access these extended Data Handling parameters, click on the

button in the Multi-Channel Multi-Standard column in the Inject
Single Sample dialog box. The Data Handling Channels dialog box
is displayed. When you select the detector channel to in the Data
Handling Channels dialog box, the calculation type, internal standard
peaks and amounts are read from the active Method. Be sure the
Method you will be using is already active before you enter
detector-specific parameters.

Select specific
detector channels
here (up to 4).

Use these buttons to edit An amount may be

the corresponding sections entered for each internal
of the active Method. standard peak in the
Method.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 83

Specifying a RecalcList
You can choose to create a new RecalcList, append to an existing
RecalcList, or not create nor update a RecalcList. To select the
RecalcList option that you want, click on the RecalcList button. The
RecalcList Generation dialog box is displayed.

If you choose to create a new RecalcList, this automatically

generated RecalcList will not overwrite an existing RecalcList unless
you also specify “Overwrite the Recalc List each time the SampleList
begins”. If a RecalcList with the same filename exists, the newly
created RecalcList will have number appended to its filename to
make it unique and to prevent the older RecalcList from being
overwritten.

84 03-914730-00:5
 INJECTING A SINGLE SAMPLE
Monitoring the Status of the Runs

Monitoring the Status of the Runs

After an injection is performed, the status of the run can be
monitored in the instrument window.
Module status is shown in
the status and control
windows and on the toolbar.

The total number of

injections
completed is shown
in the Instrument
Status window.

List of Data Files

generated and a
Quick Link button
to access the
selected Data File.

Automation actions and The chromatogram is

errors are logged in the displayed as it is acquired.
Message Log.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 85

 When you double-click on the status bar at the bottom of the
instrument window, the entire Message Log window is displayed.

All Message Log

entries are
stamped with the
time they occurred.

Using QuickStart
QuickStart is a fast way to inject a single sample without having to
use System Control directly. QuickStart can be customized and is
ideal when setting up instruments for routine use. Refer to the on-
line help in QuickStart for further details.

QuickStart first starts System Control and waits until all modules
have logged in. When ready, the QuickStart window is displayed.

This button on the Star Toolbar opens

QuickStart for doing injections of routine
samples.

86 03-914730-00:5
 INJECTING A SINGLE SAMPLE
Using QuickStart

Choose the instrument

for the injection.

Enter information about

the sample.

Enter the name of the

Method you wish to use.
Enter the name of the
folder you wish to use for
storing the Run files.

Enter sampling
information. This
information is specific to
the type of sampling
device installed.

Refer to the on-line help for

more details on the QuickStart
Press Start to begin. screen.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 87

88 03-914730-00:5
Injecting Multiple Samples

By now you should have your 3400/3600 GC configured and a basic

method built for data acquisition. If this hasn’t been done, please
refer to the previous sections for instructions on doing this.

Using a SampleList in System Control

You can inject multiple samples from System Control by using the
SampleList.

Choose to open either a New

SampleList or an existing
SampleList from the File
menu…

…or by clicking on the New or

Open Automation File button on
the toolbar.

The SampleList window for the open SampleList is displayed. It

contains fields that are specific to the sampling device configured in
the instrument Method.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 89

 For a 3400/3600 GC, the following SampleList types are available.
SSV controlled
directly by GC.

8200 controlled
directly by the GC.

8200 controlled serially

via a Com port.

CombiPAL controlled This will be used if you have no sampling

serially via a Com port. device installed (manual injections) or if you
are using a non GC-controlled device such
as a purge & trap unit or a headspace
analyzer.

In this case, if a sampling device such as a GC-controlled 8200

AutoSampler is configured, the corresponding SampleList is used.

Spreadsheet columns can

be sized by dragging their Enter notes about Enter post-run
border using the left the sample. operations to be
mouse button. Move performed.
columns by dragging them
using the right mouse
button. Right click on
column headers for
formatting options.

Enter information about Sampling device-

the samples and the specific entry fields.
injections you wish to
perform.
Used to specify RecalcList
generation options.

Press the Begin button to

start injecting samples.
Scan the 8200 carrousel to
automatically enter rack and/or vial
positions to the SampleList.
Select the location
and name for the Data
Files generated by the
SampleList.

90 03-914730-00:5
 INJECTING MULTIPLE SAMPLES
Using a SampleList in System Control

When the table is scrolled to the right, the Sample Name column
doesn't scroll so you can easily tell for which sample you are
entering additional parameters. Commonly used data handling
parameters, the amount for single internal standard calculations, the
unidentified peak factor, a multiplier, and a divisor, can be entered
directly into this table. If you have more complex requirements, such
as multiple internal standards or multiple detectors requiring different
entries for these data handling parameters, click on the button in
MultiChannel MultiStandard column.

Click here to enter extended data

handling parameters.

If you need to add several similar lines to the sample list, click on the
Add Lines… button. You can then enter the common information in
the dialog box.

For sequentially numbered Sample names,

enter the starting number and the number of
entries to add to the SampleList. The Sample
Names will have these numbers appended to
them.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 91

 When you press the Begin button, you are prompted for the Method
to use.

Enter the Method to …or browse for the

use for the run… Method file.

After you click on OK, the run will begin. If you are using a manual
injector or a sampling device that is not controlled by the Star
Workstation, you will need to start the device manually.

Specifying the Data File Name and Path

Data File names can be up to 255 characters long. Sample ID,
injection date, module name, and injection number can be
embedded in the file name making the Data File name correlate with
each sample injection. When you click on the Data Files… button,
the Data Files Generation dialog box is displayed. This dialog box
allows you to select the path and the filename “specification” for the
data file.

92 03-914730-00:5
 INJECTING MULTIPLE SAMPLES
Specifying the Data File Name and Path

The left side of the Data File Generation dialog box allows you to
select the drive letter and subdirectory (path) where the data files are
to be stored. The default directory is the data subdirectory of your
Star directory.

The right side of this dialog box allows you to create a filename
“specification”. You can combine text entry with the “%” variable
symbols shown to specify filenames that contain sample injection
specific information. An example of the filename is dynamically
updated as you type in the filename specification. This makes it
easy to see how a Data File created with this filename specifications
would appear.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 93

Specifying Per-Sample Data Handling Parameters
Most Data Handling parameters are specified in the Method used
during the injection. Some parameters may vary on a per-sample
basis, and are therefore specified when you perform the injection.
The following Data Handling parameters can be specified on a per-
sample basis:

Unidentified Peak Factor

Multiplier

Divisor

Amount Standard when one Internal Standard is being used

Refer to the Data Handling and Reports Operation Manual for a brief
description of these parameters.

Refer to the Star Workstation Regulatory Compliance Manual for a

complete description of how these parameters are used to calculate
results.

Not only can you specify these parameters on a per-sample basis,

but you can specify them on a per-detector channel basis. This is
useful if, for example, you have an ADC Board with channel A and
channel B connected to two different detectors on a GC. In addition,
if you are using multiple internal standards, you can also specify their
amounts on a per sample and per detector channel basis.

94 03-914730-00:5
 INJECTING MULTIPLE SAMPLES
Specifying Per-Sample Data Handling Parameters

To access these extended Data Handling parameters, click on the

button in the MultiChannel MultiStandard column in the SampleList.
The Data Handling Channels dialog box is displayed. When you
select the detector channel to in the Data Handling Channels dialog
box, the calculation type, internal standard peaks and amounts are
read from the active Method. Be sure the Method you will be
using is already active before you enter detector-specific
parameters.

Select specific detector

channels here (up to 4).

Use these buttons to edit

the corresponding sections
of the active Method.

An amount may be entered for each

internal standard peak in the Method.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 95

Specifying a RecalcList
You can choose to create a new RecalcList, append to an existing
RecalcList, or not create nor update a RecalcList. To select the
RecalcList option that you want, click on the RecalcList button. The
RecalcList Generation dialog box is displayed.

If you choose to create a new RecalcList, this automatically

generated RecalcList will not overwrite an existing RecalcList unless
you also specify “Overwrite the Recalc List each time the SampleList
begins”. If a RecalcList with the same filename exists, the newly
created RecalcList will have number appended to its filename to
make it unique and to prevent the older RecalcList from being
overwritten.

96 03-914730-00:5
 INJECTING MULTIPLE SAMPLES
Changing Default SampleList Entries

Changing Default SampleList Entries

When you add a new row into a SampleList, default values are used
for each cell. To change the default values, click on the Defaults…
button in the open SampleList window. The following dialog box will
be displayed. Enter the desired default values and click on Save.

Reading Vial Positions from an 8200 AutoSampler

The 8200 AutoSampler can read the position of vials(or
rack/vials) present in its carrousel. This information can then be
used to build a SampleList containing entries for each vial in the
AutoSampler.

Click on the
Carrousel button.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 97

 The Carrousel dialog box is displayed.

Click on the button to

perform the desired
operation.

The SampleList is then updated with the vial(or rack/vial) information

from the AutoSampler. Default values are used for each entry added
to the SampleList.

Refer to the on-line Help for details about use of the 8200
AutoSampler with the 3400/3600 GC.

98 03-914730-00:5
 INJECTING MULTIPLE SAMPLES
Monitoring the Status of Runs

Monitoring the Status of Runs

After an injection is performed, the status of the run can be
monitored in the instrument window.
Module status is shown
in the status and control
windows and on the
toolbar.

The total number of

injections completed is
shown in the Instrument
Status window.

List of Data Files

generated in System
Control, and a Quick
Link button to access
the selected file.

Automation actions The chromatogram is

and errors are logged displayed as it is acquired.
in the Message Log.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 99

 When you double-click on the status bar at the bottom of the
instrument window, the entire Message Log window is displayed.

All Message Log

entries are stamped
with the time they
occurred.

Saving SampleLists for Later Use

When you make changes to the open SampleList, the changes are
automatically saved to the SampleList file and will be used for the
automated runs that are in progress. If you want to edit a
SampleList other than the open SampleList, use the offline
Automation File Editor application described in the next section of
this manual.

Note: Opening an automation file, SampleList, Sequence, or RecalcList,

during automated runs will cause the automation that is in progress to
be suspended.

100 03-914730-00:5
 INJECTING MULTIPLE SAMPLES
Using More Than One Method for Injections

Using More Than One Method for Injections

The Star Workstation allows you to perform automated injections
using more than one Method. There are two ways in which this can
be accomplished. The first is by changing the active Method from
within the SampleList. The second is by using a Sequence.

Changing the Method in the SampleList

You may change the Method used during injections by activating a
Method in a SampleList row.

Select Activate Method

from the Sample Type
cell.

Click on the AutoLink button.

The Activate Method dialog box
is displayed.

Enter the name

of the Method to
use…
…or pick the
Method from a list
of files.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 101

When this line is
encountered during
automated injections, the
specified Method is
activated.

You may specify any number of Methods to be used in the

SampleList.

Using the Sequence Window

The Sequence window allows you to specify multiple Methods and
SampleLists to be processed during automation.

Choose to open either a

New Sequence or an
existing Sequence from
the File menu…

…or by clicking on the New

or Open Automation File
button on the toolbar.

102 03-914730-00:5
 INJECTING MULTIPLE SAMPLES
Using More Than One Method for Injections

The Sequence window for the open Sequence is displayed.

Enter the Method and SampleList to

use. You may enter any number of
Sequence lines.

Choose the action to

be done in that step
of the Sequence from
the drop down box.

Press Begin to
start automation. Browse for a Method
or SampleList file in
the active cell.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 103

104 03-914730-00:5
Automation File Editor

The Automation File Editor is used for editing and creation of

automation files, SampleLists, RecalcLists, and Sequences offline
(outside of Star Workstation’s System Control application). The
Automation File Editor allows access to these files without disrupting
automated runs that may be occurring in System Control.

Accessing the Automation File Editor

Click on the Automation File Editor

icon on the Star Toolbar …

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 105

Editing or Creating a RecalcList

Choose either a New

RecalcList or Open an
existing RecalcList from
the File menu…

…or by clicking on the New

or Open Automation File
button on the toolbar.

106 03-914730-00:5
 AUTOMATION FILE EDITOR
Editing or Creating a RecalcList

The RecalcList window for the open RecalcList is displayed. It

contains most of the same fields contained in the SampleList.
Where the SampleList may contain AutoSampler and sample
specific data handling information, the RecalcList contains the Data
Filename and data file specific data handling information. The fields
that are common to both the RecalcList and the SampleList are
described in the sections following the creation of the SampleList.

As the table is scrolled to reveal

additional columns, the Data File and
Sample Name column do not scroll. Enter postcalculation
They remain visible so that you can see operations to be performed.
for which data file and sample you are
entering parameters.

Spreadsheet columns
can be sized by
dragging their border
using the left mouse
button. Right-click on
column headers for
formatting options.

Enter notes about the Provides quick access

recalculation of the Data File. to the Standard Report
for viewing the results.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 107

 Click here to enter
extended data handling
parameters.

Editing or Creating a SampleList

Choose either a New

SampleList or Open an
existing SampleList from
the File menu...

…or by clicking on the New

or Open Automation File
button on the toolbar.

108 03-914730-00:5
 AUTOMATION FILE EDITOR
Editing or Creating a SampleList

After choosing the SampleList to open the “Select SampleList

Section Type” dialog box is displayed. This dialog box allows you to
choose a SampleList that is appropriate for the AutoSampler that will
be used. Choose the Generic SampleList if you are not using one of
the autosamplers shown in the list.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 109

 The SampleList window for the open SampleList is displayed.

Spreadsheet columns can be sized by Enter notes Enter post-run

dragging their border using the left mouse about the sample. operations to be
button. Right-click on column headers for performed.
formatting options.

As the table is scrolled to

reveal additional columns,
the Sample Name column
does not scroll. It remains
visible so that you can see
for which sample you are
entering parameters.

Enter information about

the samples you plan to
inject.
Select the location and name
for the Data Files generated
by the SampleList.

When the table is scrolled to the right, the Sample Name column
doesn't scroll so you can easily tell for which sample you are
entering additional parameters. Commonly used data handling
parameters, the amount for single internal standard calculations, the
unidentified peak factor, a multiplier, and a divisor, can be entered
directly into this table.

110 03-914730-00:5
 AUTOMATION FILE EDITOR
Editing or Creating a SampleList

If you have more complex requirements, such as multiple internal

standards or multiple detectors requiring different entries for these
data handling parameters, click on the button in MultiChannel
MultiStandard column.

Click here to enter

extended data handling
parameters.

If you need to add several similar lines to the sample list, click on the
Add Lines… button. You can then enter the common information in
the dialog box.

For sequentially numbered

Sample names, enter the
starting number and the
number of entries to add to
the SampleList. The
Sample Names will have
these numbers appended
to them.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 111

Specifying the Data File Name and Path
Data File names can be up to 255 characters long. Sample ID,
injection date, module name, and injection number can be
embedded in the file name making the Data File name correlate with
each sample injection. When you click on the Data Files… button,
the Data Files Generation dialog box is displayed . This dialog box
allows you to select the path and the filename “specification” for the
data file.

The left side of the Data File Generation dialog box allows you to
select the drive letter and subdirectory (path) where the data files are
to be stored. The default directory is the data subdirectory of your
Star directory.

The right side of this dialog box allows you to create a filename
“specification”. You can combine text entry with the “%” variable
symbols shown to specify filenames that contain sample injection
specific information. An example of the filename is dynamically
updated as you type in the filename specification. This makes it
easy to see how a Data File created with this filename specifications
would appear.

112 03-914730-00:5
 AUTOMATION FILE EDITOR
Specifying Per-Sample Data Handling Parameters

Specifying Per-Sample Data Handling Parameters

Most Data Handling parameters are specified in the Method used
during the injection. Some parameters may vary on a per-sample
basis, and are therefore specified when you perform the injection.
The following Data Handling parameters can be specified on a per-
sample basis:

Unidentified Peak Factor

Multiplier

Divisor

Amount Standard when one Internal Standard is being used

Refer to the Data Handling and Reports Operation Manual for a brief
description of these parameters.

Refer to the Regulatory Compliance Manual for a complete

description of how these parameters are used to calculate results.

Not only can you specify these parameters on a per-sample basis,

but you can specify them on a per-detector channel basis. This is
useful if, for example, you have an ADC Board with channel A and
channel B connected to two different detectors on a GC. In addition,
if you are using multiple internal standards, you can also specify their
amounts on a per sample and per detector channel basis.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 113

 To access these extended Data Handling parameters, click on the
button in the Multi-Channel Multi-Standard column in the Inject
Single Sample dialog box. You will be prompted for the Method that
will be used when this SampleList is run. Then Data Handling
Channels dialog box is displayed. When you select the detector
channel in the Data Handling Channels dialog box, the calculation
type, internal standard peaks and amounts are read from the Method
that you just selected. The values entered for internal standard
peaks and amounts will be entered into the peak table of this
method.
Select specific
detector channels
here (up to 4).

Use these buttons to edit An amount may be

the corresponding sections entered for each
of the active Method. internal standard
peak in the
Method.

Specifying a RecalcList
From the SampleList RecalcList… button, you can choose to create
a new RecalcList, append to an existing RecalcList, or not create nor
update a RecalcList. Clicking on the RecalcList button displays the
RecalcList Generation dialog box.

114 03-914730-00:5
 AUTOMATION FILE EDITOR
Changing Default SampleList Entries

If you choose to create a new RecalcList, this automatically

generated RecalcList will not overwrite an existing RecalcList unless
you also specify “Overwrite the Recalc List each time the SampleList
begins”. If a RecalcList with the same filename exists, the newly
created RecalcList will have number appended to its filename to
make it unique and to prevent the older RecalcList from being
overwritten.

Changing Default SampleList Entries

When you add a new row into a SampleList, default values are used
for each cell. To change the default values, click on the Defaults…
button in the open SampleList window. The following dialog box will
be displayed. Enter the desired default values and click on Save.

Using More Than One Method for Injections

The Star Workstation allows you to perform automated injections
using more than one Method. There are two ways in which this can
be accomplished. The first is by changing the active Method from
within the SampleList. The second is by using a Sequence.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 115

 You may change the Method used during injections by activating a
Method in a SampleList row.

Select Activate Method

from the Sample Type
cell.

Click on the AutoLink button.

The Activate Method dialog box
is displayed.

Enter the name of

the Method to use…

…or pick the Method

from a list of files.

When this line is

encountered during
automated injections, the
specified Method is
activated.

You may specify any number of Methods to be used in the

SampleList.

116 03-914730-00:5
 AUTOMATION FILE EDITOR
Editing or Creating a Sequence

Editing or Creating a Sequence

Choose either a New

Sequence or Open an
existing Sequence from
the File menu…

…or by clicking on the New

or Open Automation File
button on the toolbar.

Data Acquisition with 3400/3600 GC Control 117

 The Sequence window for the open Sequence is displayed.

Enter the Method and SampleList to

use. You may enter any number of
Sequence lines.

Choose the action to

be done in that step
of the Sequence from
the drop down box.

Browse for a Method

or SampleList file in
the active cell.

118 03-914730-00:5