Winlab32 with a Perkin-Elmer Optima 2000 DV ICP on Windows XP Causing shutdown

[PAR Labs]

We have a Perkin-Elmer Optima 200DV ICP Spectorphotometer.  We are running Winlab32 instrument control software on a Windows XP SP3 Machine.  The two are connected by a PCI-GPIB card and an NI 763061.02 Rev-C cable.

Last week after the analytical run was completed and the instrument was shut down, the computer shut down unexpectedly.  The computer would not restart unless in safe mode.

We assumed the problem was on the computer side, so we pulled another computer off another workstation, loaded the NI drivers, installed the pci card, and the Winlab32 software.  We started the Winlab32 software and during the instrument initalization, the second computer would shut down.  We are able to open the software when the NI cable is not connected to the instrument.

The next day, we bought a new PC, installed a fresh copy of XP SP3, installed the NI drivers and PCI card, and Winlab32 software.  Again, when the Winlab32 software starts the instrument initialization, the computer shuts down.

The NI troubleshooter says that the card checks out.  The MAX software says the instrument connects on port 0, but port 7 gives ERROR 13.

We are able to load our Winlab32 software when the cable is disconnected from the instrument.  Then we can reconnect the cable and run the initialization again without the computer shutting down, but we get an error message to check the IEEE cable or make sure the Spectrophotometer is switched on (it is).

If it was a bad cable, I would suspect that the computer could not communicate with the instrument.  The fact that something is causing the computer to shut down/blue screen, makes me think something else is happening.

Could this simply be a bad cable?  Need some help figuring out what is causing this problem, please.

[Esteban_B]

Hi,

I would suggest you to try with a different cable, if the cable is damaged and it has an internal short-circuit that might get into the card and replicate inside the computer causing the crash.

You can try this and let us know the results.

Regards,

[PAR Labs]

Thanks for the reply.  We have been able to disconnect the autosampler tray from the instrument and are able to connect to that.  We pulled a cable off another instrument and tried that, but the results were the same.

When we disconnect the cable and open the instrument control software, then connect the cable and attempt to initialize the instrument, we get an error message that it "Failed to determine neon energy."  it says it can be "caused by a problem within the spectrophotometer or by connection problems between the computer and the spectrophotometer."

I think we've successfully ruled out the PCI-BPIB card and cable.  Now it looks like the connection inside the instrument or another issue with the instrument.

Anybody out there a Perkin Elmer repair tech?

[PAR Labs]

As we continue our troubleshooting, we have opened up the instrument to check for damage to the boards and cables inside.

We found the NI IEEE 488.2 controller board which is connected to the exterior port of the instrument by ribbon cable.  The controller board also has a GPIB connector on it.

When we connect directly to the controller board via GPIB, we can now communicate with 2 of the 3 parts of the instrument and have no issues with the PC shutting down as before.  

Is it possible to replace just the controller board?

[Esteban_B]

Hi,

If the controller board is an NI product, you can call us to troubleshoot and discuss repair/replace options available.

Regards,