TopPoint Administrator User's Guide

Transcription

1 TopPoint Administrator User's Guide LT2153/ 2000 Gilson, Inc. All rights reserved December 2000

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3 Table of Contents 1 Introduction 2 Installation 3 Operation System Requirements Minimum Recommended Unpacking TopPoint Software Features Validated Software Example Files Steps to Using TopPoint Administrator User Accessing Online Help Customer Service Repair and Return Policies Hardware Setup Software Installation Uninstall UniPoint Install TopPoint Creating/Modifying User Accounts General Maintenance TopPoint System Setup Tray Maintenance Experiment Maintenance User Maintenance Select Experiment Queue Maintenance Administrator Reports UniPoint System Software Shutdown TopPoint Emergency STOP Default Locations

4 4 Troubleshooting Avoiding Problems Error Messages Viewing the Log File Appendix A Appendix B Using the Modpriv Utility Using the Modpriv Utility... A-2 Using the TopPoint Tools Utility Using the TopPoint Tools Utility... B-2 TopPoint Database Maintenance... B-2 Archive Database Maintenance... B-3 Mail Server... B-3 General... B-4 Resources... B-4

5 Introduction 1 TopPoint is a top layer interface for Gilson UniPoint System Software. It is designed for the TopPoint User who is an inexperienced UniPoint user. The TopPoint Administrator is an experienced UniPoint user who generates TopPoint experiments for TopPoint Users to run. TopPoint incorporates the versatility required to control multiple systems. Note: It is recommended that all potential TopPoint Administrators attend a TopPoint training by Gilson prior to installing and running TopPoint. 1-1

6 Introduction 1 System Requirements System Requirements Minimum personal computer with Pentium processor (minimum 400 MHz) 64 MB RAM minimum 10 GB hard drive Display capable of at least 1024 x 768 pixels with 65k colors Microsoft Windows NT Version 4.0, Service Pack 4 or 5 UniPoint Version 3.0 or higher Recommended personal computer with Pentium processor (minimum 600 MHz) 256 MB RAM minimum 20 GB hard drive Display capable of at least 1024 x 768 pixels with 65k colors Microsoft Windows NT Version 4.0, Service Pack 6 UniPoint Version 3.0 or higher 1-2

7 Introduction 1 Unpacking TopPoint Unpack TopPoint upon receipt even if the software will not be used immediately. Many carriers must receive concealed damage claims with seven days of delivery. Unpacking TopPoint 1-3

8 Introduction 1 Software Features Software Features Validated Software The software has been validated according to Gilson quality standards Example Files To help you get started using the software, example UniPoint files are installed with the software and are installed to C:\GILSON\EXAMPLES\TOPPOINT. 1-4

9 Introduction 1 1-5

10 Introduction 1 1-6

11 Introduction 1 Steps to Using TopPoint Following is an overview of the steps that both an Administrator and a User must follow when using TopPoint to control a system(s). You ll learn how to perform these steps in this user s guide. Administrator 1 Create a UniPoint Configuration(s), UniPoint Control Method(s) and a UniPoint Analysis Method(s) (if you will be acquiring data). 2 Start TopPoint and log on as a TopPoint Administrator. 3 Click on the General Maintenance radio button and click OK. Name your TopPoint station, indicate the path for archived data files, indicate how often to move data records from the current database to an archive database, and indicate the solvents that you intend to use. You should only need to set these options once. Click OK to exit General Maintenance. Note: TopPoint controls the following injectors: 215, Micro 215, Multiple Probe 215, 235/ 235P, and 233 XL. TopPoint controls the following fraction collectors: 204, 215, and 233 XL. TopPoint also controls the VALVEMATE Valve Actuator. Steps to Using TopPoint 4 Click on the TopPoint System Setup radio button and click OK. Name the TopPoint configuration, browse in the UniPoint configuration, and browse for initialization and termination methods (optional). Click OK to exit TopPoint System Setup. 5 Click on the Tray Maintenance radio button and click OK. Click Create Tray to start a new tray (or select an existing tray from the dropdown menu). Name the TopPoint tray and browse in the UniPoint tray file (.GTY). Indicate the source zone(s). Click OK to exit Tray Maintenance. 1-7

12 Introduction 1 Steps to Using TopPoint 6 Click on the Experiment Maintenance radio button and click OK. Click Define to create a new TopPoint experiment or create a new experiment by renaming and modifying an existing experiment (or click Edit and select an experiment from the drop-down menu to modify an existing experiment). Browse in a UniPoint Control Method and name the experiment. Enter any notes, solvents and volumes used in the experiment, and any additional variables (other than TUBE, which is required) used by the control method. You also associate an analysis method (if you will be acquiring data) and a TopPoint tray and browse for startup/shutdown methods. This is also where the Administrator can validate the experiment. Click OK to exit Experiment Maintenance. 7 Click on the User Maintenance radio button and click OK. Select a User and assign an experiment to that User. Indicate the User s address if you wish for them to be notified when an experiment has finished running. Click OK to exit User Maintenance. User 1 Log on to TopPoint. 2 Click on the Select Experiment radio button and click OK. Select the experiment you want to run. Select the first tube to be injected, and name the sample. Select the next tube to be injected and name the sample. Continue until all tubes to be injected have been selected and samples named. Review the experiment summary. Put the rack(s) in the indicated position(s) and click GO. 1-8

13 Introduction 1 Accessing Online Help Online help comes with TopPoint. You can display the online help anytime you re using the software. The online help describes the dialogs available in the software and discusses the procedures for defining, assigning and running experiments. You can access online help by clicking on the Help button in the dialog box. Accessing Online Help 1-9

14 Introduction 1 Customer Service Customer Service Gilson, Inc., and its worldwide network of authorized representatives provide customers with the following assistance: sales, technical applications, and instrument repair. If you need assistance, please contact your Gilson representative, or if you are in the United States, contact the Gilson Customer Service Department. Phone: or Fax: service@gilson.com Web: To help us serve you quickly and efficiently, please refer to the Before calling us section on the next page. 1-10

15 Introduction 1 Repair and Return Policies Before calling us Customer Service personnel will serve you more efficiently if you have the following information (as applicable): Serial number and model number of the Gilson devices involved Installation procedures you used Repair and Return Policies List of concise symptoms List of operating procedures and conditions you were using when the problem arose List of other devices connected to the system and a description of those connections List of other electrical connections in the room Software warranty If you are unable to install the software, or if the software will not start up, return the CD for free replacement. Computer warranty Consult the manufacturers of computers and peripheral devices (for example, printers, monitors, disk drives) used in conjunction with Gilson devices and software for information about warranties. The warranties on computers and peripheral devices are those provided by the manufacturer. Gilson offers no additional warranties. Warranty repair of Gilson devices Gilson devices covered under warranty will be repaired and returned to you at no charge. If you have any questions about applicability, please contact the Gilson Customer Service Department or your Gilson representative. 1-11

16 Introduction 1 Repair and Return Policies Non-warranty repair of Gilson devices For out-of-warranty repairs, contact your Gilson representative or the Gilson Customer Service Department. A customer service representative will discuss service options with you and can assist in making arrangements to return the device, if necessary. Rebuilt exchange for Gilson devices For some Gilson devices, rebuilt exchange assemblies are available. Contact the Gilson Customer Service Department for details. 1-12

17 Installation 2 Hardware Setup Set up the computer as described in it s user s guide. Set up all hardware devices as described in the user s guides. 2-1

18 Installation 2 Software Installation Software Installation TopPoint requires Microsoft Windows NT Version 4.0, Service Pack 4, 5 or 6. As per standard Windows NT procedure, a Windows NT Administrator must install the software and will need to create or modify user accounts (See Creating/ Modifying User Accounts on page 2-6), verify printer privileges (if printers are networked), and verify access to a network drive for archiving data (if desired). For more instructions on installing and using Windows, refer to its documentation. Before installing TopPoint, you will need to uninstall any previous versions of UniPoint. Refer to the following instructions for the software installation. Uninstall UniPoint Remove any previous versions of UniPoint. Click on Start-Settings-Control Panel-Add/Remove Programs. Scroll to and select UniPoint v x.xx and click Add/Remove. This will remove UniPoint and its supporting files from the installation location. It will not remove the files from your working folder. Refer to your Microsoft Windows documentation for more information on removing programs. 2-2

19 Installation 2 Install TopPoint To install TopPoint and its supporting files: 1 Log on as an NT Administrator of the local workstation. This person does not need to be an Administrator on the network domain, but may be a domain user that has been added to the local workstation Administrator group. Software Installation 2 Install UniPoint Version 3.0 or higher by following the instructions included with the software. 3 Install TopPoint. To do this, click on Start-Run then browse for the SETUP.EXE file on your CD-ROM drive. Follow the on-screen instructions to install TopPoint. If you wish to have TopPoint Users notified by when an Experiment has finished running, enter the SMTP mail server address when you see this screen: The Administrator at your company should be able to provide you with this information (if appropriate). If you do not want to activate this feature, click Next. Note: The SMTP address can also be entered using the TopPoint Tools Utility. Refer to Appendix A. 2-3

20 Installation 2 Software Installation 4 When TopPoint finishes copying files as part of the installation, it is necessary restart the computer. You will be prompted with the following dialog box: 5 After restarting your computer, re-log on as the same NT Administrator of the local workstation. The setup program will finish installing TopPoint then notify you by displaying the following instructional screen: 2-4

21 Installation 2 6 Click Start-Shutdown-Close all programs and log on as a different user? and then re-log on using the following User name and Password: User name: tpstarter Password: test Per Windows NT standard procedure, the Password is case-sensitive whereas the User name is not. Software Installation This logs you on to the local computer and allows you to open TopPoint. 7 After logging onto the computer as tpstarter, you can start TopPoint by double-clicking the icon ( ) on the desktop or clicking on Start/ Programs/Gilson Applications/TopPoint/ TopPoint from your Windows task bar. Then you will see the TopPoint logon screen. Note: The tpstarter account has special privileges. These privileges are required by TopPoint for startup. To modify an existing account to have tpstarter privileges, refer to Appendix B, Using the Modpriv Utility. At this point you can log on to TopPoint as a TopPoint Administrator using the following User name and Password: User name: testadmin Password: test Note: Two TopPoint accounts are created when TopPoint is installed. These accounts are testadmin and testuser, both using the password test. Your NT Administrator will need to create or modify accounts for use with TopPoint. Refer to Creating/Modifying User Accounts on the next page. 2-5

22 Installation 2 Software Installation Creating/Modifying User Accounts TopPoint installation creates two user groups and three user accounts in Windows NT on the local machine. A listing and description of these groups and user accounts follows. User Groups TPUSER - Members of this group are allowed user level access to TopPoint. They may prepare and queue experiments assigned by a TopPoint Administrator, remove the rack(s) from and print summary reports of their completed experiments. TPADMIN - Members of this group must also be members of the TPUSER group. TPADMIN members are then allowed administrative level access to TopPoint and are allowed to perform all TopPoint operations. User Accounts User name: tpstarter Password: test Groups: Local Windows NT USER User name: testadmin Password: test Groups: Windows NT USER, TPUSER, TPADMIN User name: testuser Password: test Groups: Windows NT USER, TPUSER When setting up user accounts, be aware that: All members of the TPUSER group (TopPoint Users) must have a Windows NT account. All members of the TPADMIN group (TopPoint Administrators) must have a Windows NT account and also be a member of the TPUSER group. 2-6

23 Operation 3 3-1

24 After TopPoint has been installed, a TopPoint Administrator needs to log on and prepare TopPoint for TopPoint User use. After logging on as a TopPoint Administrator, the Administrator Maintenance screen (see below) will be shown and active. Use this screen to navigate the program. Refer to the following pages for information on the options on the Administrator Maintenance screen and using TopPoint as a TopPoint Administrator. 3-2

25 General Maintenance Within the General Maintenance option are three tabs (System, Solvent Table, and Time Out) where you: name your TopPoint station indicate the path for storing archived data files (likely a network drive) choose whether to automatically or manually archive and purge database records and how often indicate the solvents that you intend to use indicate whether Users should be logged off after a set time of being idle It is likely that you will only need to set the options in the General Maintenance tab once as they will be the same for all experiments. A more detailed description of each tab follows. System tab In the field labeled TopPoint Station Name: type in a name that will be used to uniquely identify this workstation. In the Archive Data to: field, browse for the archived data file destination location (probably on a network drive). 3-3

26 In the Archive Database Records Every: field indicate how often (from never to every week to every twelve months) to archive the data files to the archived data file location. Indicate the frequency, day of the week, and time. Or, to manually archive the files click on Archive Now. To purge the files from the local workstation, click on Purge Now. WARNING!: Files should not be archived or purged while experiments are in queue (or running). Doing so will cause your experiment to fail and possibly damage your TopPoint database. Note: After purging files it is necessary to compact the TopPoint database. Close TopPoint then compact the database using the TopPoint Tools Utility supplied with TopPoint. This screen also informs you when (if ever) the date of the last archive or purge was and when (if any) the next archive is scheduled. 3-4

27 Solvent Table tab To indicate the solvents that will be used, place your cursor in the cell with the instruction Enter New Solvent Here highlighted then type the name (50 character limit) of the solvent. To add another solvent simply push the ENTER key on your keyboard then type another solvent name. Continue until all solvents have been entered. To delete a solvent, place your cursor in the cell with the solvent name to select it then click on Delete. Note: You cannot delete a solvent that is used in an experiment. 3-5

28 Time Out tab On this tab, the TopPoint Administrator can choose to logoff a TopPoint User that has left the system idle for a set time frame (1 to 180 minutes). To activate this feature, check the box by Automatic Logoff After: and then use the scroll buttons to set the time the software should wait before logging off the User. 3-6

29 TopPoint System Setup When you choose the TopPoint System Setup option for the first time you see the following screen where you: browse in a UniPoint configuration file and name the TopPoint configuration browse in initialization and termination methods and indicate whether to run them or not indicate that a system left idle for a set time frame should go into a Standby (sleeping) mode In the field labeled TopPoint configuration name: name the TopPoint configuration. Then in the field labeled UniPoint configuration file: associate a UniPoint configuration (.CFG) file by browsing it into this field. The file must have been previously created and saved using UniPoint. 3-7

30 In the Initialization field, browse for a UniPoint control method that will run each time an experiment using the current TopPoint configuration is started after the system has been in Standby (sleeping) mode. The browsed initialization control method will only run if the Run Initialization Method box is checked. Associating an initialization method is optional. In the Termination field, browse for a UniPoint control method that will run each time an experiment using the current TopPoint configuration has timed out and goes into the system Standby (sleeping) mode. The browsed termination control method will only run if the Run Termination Method box is checked and if the experiment is in the queue. Associating a termination method is optional. Note: Initialization and termination methods must not utilize any variables (or injection protocols or tray files). There is no place to qualify variables in TopPoint. Note: Initialization methods are NOT startup methods and termination methods are NOT shutdown methods. Initialization and termination methods are SYSTEM specific whereas startup and shutdown methods are specific to an experiment. In the Time Out (Min) field, type in the time (from 0.0 to , in minutes) that the system should wait before going from a system idle mode into a system Standby (sleeping) mode. To resume a system running mode, start an experiment. 3-8

31 Tray Maintenance When you choose the Tray Maintenance option for the first time you see the following screen where you: browse in a UniPoint tray file and name the TopPoint tray indicate which zone(s) from your tray file are source zone(s) 3-9

32 Creating a new tray Click on Create Tray to create a new TopPoint tray. Doing so will prompt you to Enter Tray Info Name. In the field labeled TopPoint Tray, type a name (Enter Tray Info Name) that will be used in TopPoint. Then in the field labeled UniPoint Tray (.GTY) associate a UniPoint tray (.GTY) file by browsing it in. The file must have been previously created and saved using UniPoint. Note: You may want to make reference to the autosampler or fraction collector in the TopPoint tray name for easier association later. Refer to the example on the next page. When a UniPoint tray file has been associated with a TopPoint tray, the zone names from the UniPoint tray file automatically appear next to the graphical representation of the autosampler or fraction collector bed (including racks and vessels). Scale the graphical representation by clicking and dragging the arrow in the Zoom field. Dragging the arrow to the right enlarges the view, dragging to the left minimizes the view. Double-click the zone name to see the vessels in that zone highlighted on the graphical representation. Next, indicate the source zone(s) by clicking the box in the Source column next to each source Zone Name. Click in the box again to deselect a zone as a source. Source zone tubes will be accessible to the TopPoint User for aspiration and injection or for transfer. Source zones contain the primary vessels. Editing a tray To view and edit a TopPoint tray that has not been associated with an experiment, select the tray from the drop-down menu. 3-10

33 Deleting a tray Select a TopPoint tray from the drop-down menu then click on Delete Tray to remove a previously created tray from the drop-down list. Note: TopPoint will not allow you to delete a tray being used in an experiment. The Delete Tray button will be grayed-out (inactive) and a message will appear telling you which experiment uses the tray you are trying to delete. Refer to the screen below. In the example above the TopPoint tray Example Injector Tray is in use by Experiment Example Experiment 1 and cannot be deleted. 3-11

34 Experiment Maintenance When you choose the Experiment Maintenance option you choose to either define a new experiment or edit, delete or validate an existing experiment. You may only delete an experiment and the Delete button is only active if the experiment has never been run. To validate an existing experiment, click on the red, down arrow in Validated column to choose whether the experiment is validated (Yes) or not (No). The Experiment Maintenance option has six tabs with parameters that need to be defined (or edited) when defining (or editing) an experiment. Descriptions of these tabs are found on pages 3-15 through To define an experiment, click on the Define button. You will see the following screen: 3-12

35 In the field labeled Experiment Name:, type in a name that will be used by TopPoint for the experiment that you will be defining. Or, to define a new experiment based on an existing experiment select an experiment from the drop down menu. Then, in the field labeled UniPoint Control Method: browse in a UniPoint control method (.GCT file) that was previously created and saved using UniPoint. When you associate a UniPoint control method with the experiment, the associated TopPoint configuration automatically appears in the TopPoint Configuration: field. Note: The UniPoint control method that you created must have a variable called TUBE that is used for sample location in the injection protocol. TopPoint will look for that variable when running the experiment. In the Time per cycle: (min) field, type in a number that is the approximate run time (in minutes) for the UniPoint control method (adding in approximately one minute for the injection protocol, if applicable). The Pause OK and Don t Pause radio buttons allow you to restrict or enable an experiment from being interrupted to place another experiment in the queue. If Pause OK is selected, TopPoint (and the autosampler or fraction collector it is controlling) will pause after the control method finishes with a sample if a new experiment has been set up. When the experiment pauses, the TopPoint User can safely add racks to the autosampler or fraction collector bed then click Go to place the new experiment in the queue. If Don t Pause is selected, the experiment will run uninterrupted until it is finished even if a new experiment has been set up. 3-13

36 To edit a previously defined experiment, select the experiment to edit then click on the Edit button. You will see a screen similar to the one below: Verify and change (if necessary) the information on each of the six tabs. 3-14

37 Notes tab On this tab is an empty box in which you can type in any additional information that you want the TopPoint User to see when he/she runs the experiment. 3-15

38 Solvents tab This tab defaults blank. Press the down arrow button ( ) on the keyboard to start selecting solvents for the experiment. Click on the down arrow button and the solvents appear in a drop down menu (see above). Select each solvent needed for the experiment and type in the approximate volume (in milliliters) required for each cycle (sample). Doing so will inform the TopPoint User of the estimated solvent volume needed so that he/she can verify that there is enough solvent in the reservoirs. Note: To add a solvent to the list on this tab, simply double-click the Solvent column header. You will be prompted to Add New Solvent. Type in the name then click OK. 3-16

39 Startup/Shutdown tab On this tab you browse for a previously created and saved startup UniPoint control method and/or shutdown UniPoint control method, if desired for your experiment. Place the cursor in the Startup Control Method field then browse for and select a UniPoint control method (.GCT file). Click in the Run Startup Method box to run the startup method before the experiment. Place the cursor in the Shutdown Control Method field then browse for and select a UniPoint control method (.GCT file). Click in the Run Shutdown Method box to run the shutdown method after the experiment runs. Note: Startup and shutdown methods must not utilize any variables (or injection protocols or tray files). There is no place to qualify them in TopPoint. 3-17

40 Analysis tab On this tab, browse in up to three previously created and saved UniPoint analysis methods (.GAN files) that will run after the experiment. Place the cursor in the Analysis Method 1 field then browse for and select a UniPoint analysis method (.GAN file). Repeat in the Analysis Method 2 and Analysis Method 3 fields to add one or two additional analysis methods to run. Note: If you wish to query on your results to reinject collected fractions, you must have a Fraction Site(s) column in your analysis method. 3-18

41 Racks tab This tab defaults blank (as shown above) unless you have browsed in a UniPoint control method in this (Define Experiment) window (see page 3-13). 3-19

42 If you have browsed in a control method, you will see a list of autosamplers and fraction collectors (if applicable) and their unit IDs from the associated TopPoint (and UniPoint) configuration (see below). For each autosampler or fraction collector you will need to choose an associated TopPoint tray. To choose a TopPoint tray, click on the red, down arrow in the TopPoint Tray column for a dropdown menu of all TopPoint trays. Repeat for each instrument. For more information on creating a TopPoint tray, refer to page

43 Variables tab On this tab you list all the variables from the associated control method for the experiment. All variables must appear exactly as they do in your control method. To add a variable, click in a cell in the Variable column then type the variable name. You must also indicate a default value for each of the variables in the list on this tab. To indicate the default value click in a cell in the Default column then type the value. Finally, click on the red, down arrow in Display column for each variable to choose whether the TopPoint User will be able to see AND change the default value you have entered (Yes) or not (No). Note: The required variable TUBE from your control method must not be listed on this tab. TopPoint must find it in the control method and assumes it is there. Listing it (again) here confuses TopPoint. Note: To run a calibration, your control method must include a variable called CALIB. LEVEL and it must be listed first on this tab. 3-21

44 User Maintenance The User Maintenance window allows you to assign experiments to TopPoint Users. When you choose the User Maintenance option, you will see a window similar to the one above. Displayed in this window is a list of members of the TPUSER user group. To assign experiments to a TopPoint User, first select a user from the list then click OK. You will see a screen similar to the one below This screen is a list of all experiments. It indicates which experiments are validated (box is checked in the Validated column) and the validation date and time. This information cannot be edited on this screen. To assign an experiment to the selected user (in this case, testadmin), place a checkmark in the box in the Assigned column in the same row as the experiment to be assigned. Click in the box again to unassign the experiment to the selected user.

45 In the address: field, type in the address for the selected user if you wish to have the user notified by when an Experiment has finished running. Note: The SMTP mail server address must also have been entered during TopPoint installation. If it was not and you wish to activate this feature, use the TopPoint Tools Utility (refer to Appendix B). 3-23

46 Select Experiment Within the Select Experiment option are several screens where you: select a validated experiment to run select and name the samples to be injected A more detailed description of each screen follows on the next few pages. After you select an experiment from the list and click Next, you see a screen similar to the one on the next page. 3-24

47 Creating a sample list Displayed on this screen is an empty table for creating a sample list and an interactive, graphical representation of the TopPoint tray that you associated with the selected experiment. Available for selection are any tubes in zones indicated previously as source zones or zones that are used to satisfy variables (for example, FRACTIONS). Select tubes to add them to the sample list. Samples will be injected from top to bottom of the sample list. There are two ways to select tubes: select a rack and then point and click on the tube(s) in the order that you want them injected import a sample list from an experiment sample list (or archived sample list), experiment results list (or archived results list), or import from a spreadsheet-based comma delimited (.CSV) file Refer to the following page for detailed instructions on creating a sample list. 3-25

48 Selecting tubes for the sample list Before selecting any tubes, make sure that the rack is selected. You can tell because there will be a red outline around the rack on the graphical display. To select tubes individually: Click on each tube in the order that you want them injected. To select multiple tubes: Tubes can be selected across a column or row. Select the tubes by holding down the mouse button, then dragging the mouse over the tubes. Or, click on the Auto Range button and indicate a range of tubes to add to the sample list. To indicate the starting tube in the range of tubes to add to the sample list, put your cursor in the Start Tube field then click on the desired tube in the graphical display. 3-26

49 To indicate the ending tube in the range of tubes to add to the sample list, put your cursor in the End Tube field then click on the desired tube in the graphical display. In the Sample Name field, type a name that will be used for every sample and followed by the tube number in the sample list. Changes in this field are only accepted for new sample lists or additions to existing sample lists. Refer to the screen shown on the next page. 3-27

50 Samples will be injected from the lowest number tube first and the highest number tube last unless you edit the sample list (see Editing the sample list, on the next page). 3-28

51 Editing the sample list The sample list appears as a table. You can cut, copy, and paste entire rows in the table by selecting the row then clicking on Cut, Copy, or Paste. To select multiple rows, simply drag your cursor vertically to the left of the Name column. Or, while holding down the Ctrl key on your keyboard, select multiple rows by clicking on them with the mouse. To insert a row, select a row then click on Insert. TopPoint inserts a blank row beneath the selected row. To add a sample, click in the Name column then click on the sample location. The sample is added to the bottom of your sample list. To edit text within a cell, just click in the cell then type or delete characters. To qualify a variable that requires a tube location, click in the cell and then click on the tube. 3-29

52 Importing a sample list Sample lists can be imported from an experiment sample list (or archived sample list), experiment results list (or archived results list), or from a spreadsheet-based comma delimited (.CSV) file. To import a sample list, click on Import. Refer to the following pages to see the import screens and a description of how to use them. To import from a complete experiment s results: When you click on the Import button and choose the Experiments Results tab, you see a screen similar to the one shown above. The Database column lists all ODBC data sources. From this tab, however, the only experiment results information you can access is located on your local TopPoint database (current database used until purged or archived and purged). Double-click the local database (tp-database, by default), denoted by a check mark ( ), and a list of experiments appears on the right. Select the completed experiment from which you wish to import results. Experiments are listed chronologically by the time the experiment finished. The most recently run experiment appears at the bottom of the list. Select the experiment by clicking in its row in the Time column then clicking on OK. 3-30

53 Next you see the Experiment Results Query screen. The Select Parameter to Query drop-down menu lists the column headers (for example, Fraction Site(s) or Major Ion(s)) from the experiment s first associated analysis method. The analysis method must have a Fraction Site(s) column if you want to reinject collected fractions. Choose the parameter that you wish to query for creating a new sample list. The Select Lower/Upper Limits fields show the lower and upper limits of the parameter selected in the Select Parameter to Query column. Edit these fields for the query you wish to perform for selecting a sample list. In the Select AND/OR field, choose AND or OR from the drop-down menu to narrow or broaden your query. Refer to the example above. 3-31

54 Optionally, in the Query Name field, type in a name then click on Save to save the current query parameters. When more than one name is saved, they appear in a drop-down menu. Select a name from the drop-down menu and click on Restore to make the current parameters those saved to that name. Click on Next to perform the query. Query results are displayed as on the following screen: To create a sample list for reinjecting collected fractions, click on the Fractions radio button. To create a sample list to reinject from the original sample sites, click on the Source radio button. 3-32

55 Click on Next and the new sample list is created. The example shown below is a sample list created to reinject collected fractions. 3-33

56 To import from a spreadsheet-based comma delimited (.CSV) file: When you click on the Import button and choose the Import from File tab, you see a screen similar to the one shown above. Use the left pane to browse for and select a.csv file from which you wish to import your sample list. Note: The.CSV file must have a column titled Sample Name as the first column and a column titled Location as the second column. After you select the.csv file, the information from the file appears on the right pane. See the example below. 3-34

57 Click on Ok and a new sample list is created from the imported file. 3-35

58 To import from an experiment sample list: When you click on the Import button and choose the Experiment Sample List tab, you see a screen similar to the one shown above. The Database column lists all ODBC data sources. From this tab, however, the only experiment sample lists you can access are located on your local TopPoint database (current database used until purged or archived and purged). Double-click the local database (tpdatabase, by default), denoted by a check mark ( ), and a list of experiments appears on the right. Select the experiment from which you wish to import a sample list. Experiments are listed chronologically by the time the experiment finished. The most recently run experiment appears at the bottom of the list. You can import sample lists from completed or canceled experiments. Select the experiment by clicking in its row in the Time column then clicking on OK. The new sample list is created. 3-36

59 To import from an archived completed experiment s results: When you click on the Import button and choose the Archived Results tab, you see a screen similar to the one shown above. From this tab, you can access the results from any completed experiment that has been archived to an archive TopPoint database. Archived TopPoint databases are listed in the Archived Database column chronologically by time. The most recent archived database will be listed at the bottom of the list. Double-click an archive database, denoted by a bullet ( ), and a list of experiments in that database appears on the right. Select the experiment from which you wish to import results. Experiments are listed chronologically by the time the experiment finished. The most recently run experiment appears at the bottom of the list. Select the experiment by clicking in its row in the Time column then clicking on OK. 3-37

60 Next you see the Experiment Results Query screen. The Select Parameter to Query drop-down menu lists the column headers from the experiment s first associated analysis method. The analysis method must have a Fraction Site(s) column to use the query feature. Choose the parameter that you wish to query for creating a new sample list. The Select Lower/Upper Limits fields show the lower and upper limits of the parameter selected in the Select Parameter to Query column. Edit these fields for the query you wish to perform for selecting a sample list. In the Select AND/OR field, choose AND or OR from the drop-down menu to narrow or broaden your query. Refer to the example above. Optionally, in the Query Name field, type in a name the click on Save to save the current query parameters. When more than one name is saved, they appear in a drop-down menu. Select a name from the drop-down menu and click on Restore to make the current parameters those saved to that name Click on Next to perform the query.

61 Query results are displayed as on the following screen: To create a sample list for reinjecting collected fractions, click on the Fractions radio button. To create a sample list to reinject from the original sample sites, click on the Source radio button. 3-39

62 Click on Next and the new sample list is created. The example shown below is a sample list created to reinject collected fractions. 3-40

63 To import from an archived sample list: When you click on the Import button and choose the Archived Sample List tab, you see a screen similar to the one shown above. From this tab, you can access any experiment sample lists that have been archived to an archive TopPoint database. Archived TopPoint databases are listed in the Archived Database column chronologically by time. The most recent archived database will be listed at the bottom of the list. Double-click an archive database, denoted by a bullet ( ), and a list of experiments in that database appears on the right. Select the experiment from which you wish to import the sample list. Experiments are listed chronologically by the time the experiment finished. The most recently run experiment appears at the bottom of the list. Select the experiment by clicking in its row in the Time column then clicking on OK. 3-41

64 Experiment summary When you are finished creating a sample list, click on Next. You will see a screen similar to the one shown below. This screen displays important information about the experiment you are about to add to the experiment queue. Click on Finish to proceed to the next screen. The User Name field displays the logon name for the currently logged on user. The Number of Steps field displays the number of tubes picked for your sample list The Estimated Start Time field displays the approximate time your experiment will start running after being placed in the queue. This time is based on the estimated end time of the last experiment listed in the queue. Or, if the queue is empty, it will display the current time plus approximately thirty seconds from the time the Experiment Summary screen is displayed.

65 The Estimated End Time field displays the approximate time your experiment will finish running. This time is determined by the Time per cycle (min) value (set on the Experiment Maintenance screen) multiplied by the number of steps. The time is then added to the Estimated Start Time to determine the Estimated End Time. The Estimated Waste Volume field displays the approximate total volume of solvent that will be used for the experiment. This number is determined by multiplying the volume of solvents that you entered on the Solvents tab on the Experiment Maintenance screen by the number of steps. The Estimated Solvent Volume(s) field displays the approximate volume needed of each solvent to run the experiment. This number is determined by multiplying the volume of each solvent that you entered on the Solvents tab on the Experiment Maintenance screen by the number of steps. Click on Notes to read information about the experiment that was entered on the Notes tab on the Experiment Maintenance screen. 3-43

66 Rack placement After you have reviewed the experiment summary and clicked on Finish, you will see a screen similar to the one shown below. This screen shows you which position(s) on the bed to place the rack(s) for the sampler(s) in the selected experiment. The example below shows you that you need to place the rack in position one on your instrument at Unit ID 22. In this example, the sampler is a 215 Liquid Handler. After you have placed the rack, click on Go. If your experiment uses a fraction collector, you will then see a screen similar to the one on the next page. If it does not, skip to page

67 This screen shows you which position(s) on the bed to place the rack(s) for the fraction collector in the selected experiment. The example above shows you that you need to place the rack in position one on your instrument at Unit ID 6. In this example, the instrument is an FC 204 Fraction Collector. Click on Go to add the experiment to the queue. 3-45

68 Running an experiment After placing the racks and clicking on Go to add the experiment to the queue, you will see a screen similar to the one below. As a standard practice, you may wish to logoff TopPoint while running an experiment. On the Administrator Maintenance screen (shown above) click Logoff. 3-46

69 You will then see the following screen. See the descriptions of the displays below. In the upper-right corner of the Queue box, the current system date and time is displayed. Along the bottom of the Queue box is a message bar that displays various status-related messages. The Status column displays whether the associated experiment is running ( ), ready to run upon completion of the current experiment ( ), finished running ( ), or canceled before completion ( ). An experiment shows a canceled status if the Emergency Stop button is clicked or an error is detected in the experiment. TopPoint must be shutdown and restarted before attempting to re-run the canceled experiment. The Experiment Name column lists all of the experiments in the queue. 3-47

70 The Start Time column displays the approximate time the experiment will start running. This time is based on the estimated end time of the last experiment listed in the queue. Once the experiment has started, the time is updated with the actual start time. The End Time column displays the approximate time the experiment will finish running. This time is determined by the Time per cycle (min) value (set on the Experiment Maintenance screen) multiplied by the number of steps. The time is then added to the Start Time to determine the End Time. Once the experiment has finished running, the time is updated with the actual end time. The User Name column displays the logon name for user who put the experiment into the queue. The box in the upper-right part of the screen displays the user name, experiment, step number, start time, estimated end time, next pause, free space, and solvents. A more detailed description of those displays follows. User Name is the logon name for user who put the experiment into the queue. Experiment is the name of the experiment running. Step Number is displayed as n : x where n is the cycle number currently being executed and x is the total number of cycles. Add one cycle each for a startup or shutdown method. Start Time is the approximate time your experiment started running. Est. End Time is the approximate time your experiment will finish running. This time is determined by the Time per cycle (min) value (set on the Experiment Maintenance screen) multiplied by the number of steps. The time is then added to the Estimated Start Time to determine the Estimated End Time. 3-48

71 Next Pause is the estimated time that the system will be allowed to pause next if requested by adding an experiment to the queue. This time is the same as the estimated end time if Don t Pause was indicated when the experiment was defined. Free Space is the amount of hard disk space available expressed as a percentage. You may want to consider archiving your TopPoint data to a network drive if you are running out of hard disk space. Solvents is the approximate volume of each solvent needed to run the experiment. This number is determined by multiplying the volume of each solvent that you entered on the Solvents tab on the Experiment Maintenance screen by the number of tubes picked on the Create Sample List screen. When clicked, the Emergency STOP button, located at the bottom left of your screen, causes all hardware to stop after the current command has been executed. It is then necessary to shutdown then restart TopPoint before running any more experiments. The experiment that was current before the Emergency STOP was clicked will then be canceled. Any Ready experiments in the queue should run as expected when TopPoint is reopened. 3-49

72 Queue Maintenance When you choose the Queue Maintenance option you can choose to: modify the order in which the queued Ready experiments will run stop the current experiment delete an experiment from the queue run the next experiment run a termination method When there are experiments in the queue, you will see a screen similar to the one below. Note: While the Queue Maintenance screen is open, the experiment queue will pause when the current experiment finishes running. To manually instruct TopPoint to run the next experiment in queue, click on Run Next or close the Queue Maintenance window. To modify the order in which the queued Ready experiments will run, first select an experiment from the list by clicking in its row then click on Move Up or Move Down until the experiment is queued as desired. 3-50

73 To stop the current experiment (and the pumps), click on Interrupt. Then to delete a Ready, Completed, or Canceled experiment from the queue, select the experiment then click on Delete/Remove. TopPoint will assume you have physically removed the racks for the experiment and those rack positions will become available for other experiments. The termination method is a method that runs each time an experiment has timed out and goes into the system Standby (sleeping) mode. The termination method will only run if the Run Termination Method box was checked on the TopPoint System Setup screen. To bypass the time out before running the termination method, click on Run Termination. 3-51

74 Administrator Reports When you choose the Administrator Reports option, you may choose to print any of four different reports. The Administrator Reports option has three tabs for selecting options for each report to be printed. Descriptions of these tabs and the options and an example of each report follows. Users tab In the drop-down box, select All Users to view or print information about all TopPoint users or select a single user from the list to view or print information only about that user. To view or print a report listing the address(es), check the box before User Address then click on Print Preview (to view) or Print (to print) To view or print a report listing the user identification number(s) needed for locating UniPoint data acquired from that user s experiment, check the box before User Id then click on Print Preview (to view) or Print (to print). UniPoint data can be found at C:\GILSON\UNIPOINT\ID00000x (if installed at the default location) where x is the User ID.

75 To view or print a report listing the assigned experiments for the selected user(s), check the box before Assigned Experiments then click on Print Preview (to view) or Print (to print). The three reports listed above (User Address, User Id, and Assigned Experiments) can be viewed and printed together as one report. An example of the combined report can be found on the next page. To view or print a report listing all experiments run by the selected user(s) on a specified date or range of dates, check the box before Experiment Results Summary and select a date from the calendar on the drop down menu then click on Print Preview (to view) or Print (to print). You will be able to view any day starting with that day and up to and including the current date. This report can be viewed and printed with the User Address report and the User Id report as one report. An example of Experiment Result Summary report can be found on page

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78 System Properties tab In the drop-down box, select All TopPoint Configurations to view or print information about all TopPoint configurations or select a specific configuration from the list to view or print information only about that configuration. To view or print a report listing the initialization and/or termination methods and the time out time associated with the selected configuration(s), check the box before Initialization/Termination Methods then click on Print Preview (to view) or Print (to print). To view or print a report listing the UniPoint configuration file associated with the selected TopPoint configuration(s), check the box before UniPoint Configuration File then click on Print Preview (to view) or Print (to print). To view or print a report listing the archive schedule and path for archived data for the TopPoint station, check the box before TopPoint Station s Archive Information then click on Print Preview (to view) or Print (to print). 3-56

79 To view or print a report listing the time the system will wait in standby (sleeping) mode before logging out a user, check the box before TopPoint Station s Automatic Log Out Time then click on Print Preview (to view) or Print (to print). All the reports on this tab can be viewed and printed together as one report. An example of the combined report can be found on the next page. 3-57

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81 Experiments tab In the drop-down box, select All Experiments to view or print information about all TopPoint experiments or select a specific experiment from the list to view or print information only about that experiment. To view or print a report listing users assigned to the selected experiment(s), check the box before Assigned Users then click on Print Preview (to view) or Print (to print). To view or print a report listing the solvents used in the selected experiment(s), check the box before Solvents then click on Print Preview (to view) or Print (to print). To view or print a report listing the notes written by a TopPoint Administrator for the selected experiment(s), check the box before Notes then click on Print Preview (to view) or Print (to print). To view or print a report listing the UniPoint Control Method associated with the selected TopPoint experiment(s), check the box before Control Methods then click on Print Preview (to view) or Print (to print). 3-59

82 To view or print a report listing the racks used in the selected experiment(s), check the box before Racks then click on Print Preview (to view) or Print (to print). To view or print a report listing whether or not the selected experiment(s) can be paused and the time per cycle for the selected experiment(s), check the box before Pause Available/Time Per Cycle then click on Print Preview (to view) or Print (to print). To view or print a report listing the TopPoint configuration associated with the selected experiment(s), check the box before TopPoint Configuration Name then click on Print Preview (to view) or Print (to print). To view or print a report listing any variables used (except TUBE) in the selected experiment(s), check the box before Experiment Variables then click on Print Preview (to view) or Print (to print). All the reports on this tab can be viewed and printed together as one report. An example of the combined report can be found on the next page. 3-60

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84 Viewing reports To view reports, click Print Preview on an Administrator Reports tab. The following icons appear on the print preview toolbar and a description follows: Clicking this icon returns the view to the first page of the report Clicking this icon returns the view to the previous page. Clicking this icon changes the view to the next page in the report. Clicking this icon changes the view to the last page in the report. Clicking this icon enlarges the view by 20%. Clicking this icon reduces the view by 20%. Clicking this icon changes the view so that the entire page is displayed. Clicking this icon changes the view so that the entire width of the page is displayed. Clicking this icon changes to view to normal (100%). 3-62

85 In the first field, type the first page in the range of pages to be printed. In the second field, type the last page in the range of pages to be printed. Clicking this icon instructs TopPoint to print all pages in the indicated range. Clicking this button exits the print preview window. Printing reports To print reports click on Print from an Administrator Reports tab. 3-63

86 UniPoint System Software Use this option to open UniPoint. This is useful since it is necessary to create UniPoint Configurations, Control Methods and optionally Analysis Methods before creating TopPoint experiments. This is also useful if you want to view the data when an experiment is complete. Shutdown TopPoint Use this option to exit TopPoint. You will be asked to confirm that you want to cancel all operations and close TopPoint. If there is an experiment running, it will be canceled. Any other Ready experiments in the queue will remain in the queue and will run when TopPoint is re-opened. 3-64

87 Emergency STOP When you click the Emergency STOP button (shown at left), a confirmation dialog appears. If you affirm that you do want an emergency stop, all connected instruments stop responding to any more commands coming from the software. After an emergency stop, a TopPoint Administrator must be present to restart TopPoint. The TopPoint Administrator must log on to TopPoint, shutdown TopPoint, then restart TopPoint. The experiment that was running when the Emergency STOP button was clicked will be canceled. All other experiments in queue will still run in order. Emergency STOP 3-65

88 Default Locations Default Locations TopPoint creates several files and folders when you use the software. It is important that you know how information is stored on your computer. A description of those files and folders and their default locations follows. 3-66

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91 Troubleshooting 4 4-1

92 Troubleshooting 4 Avoiding Problems Avoiding Problems This section lists some tips to avoid difficulties with TopPoint. Use a TopPoint system dedicated workstation. Or, make sure all other programs are closed when running TopPoint Archive and purge your local database regularly. This practice reduces the likelihood of encountering memory limitations, and helps ensure that TopPoint performs efficiently. 4-2

93 Troubleshooting 4 Error Messages Error Messages 4-3

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96 Troubleshooting 4 Error Messages 4-6