MASsoft and ESPsoft set up
The following information represents experience setting up communications between a Hiden instrument and a PC. Most problems have been found to be due to the set up of the PC, and thus are readily overcome. This is by no means a comprehensive list of all possible problems, but may provide some help. An attempt has been made to link solutions with problems, but some solutions apply to more than one problem, so you are advised to read the whole document if your problem resists a listed solution. Windows can sometimes be a tricky environment to set up (usually it's not), so if you initially get problems, don't worry too much, they can usually be solved fairly easily. - Terms used.
PC - Personal Computer; this must be IBM PC compatible.
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- DOS
- Disk Operating System; a program which loads or when you switch on your PC. Most PCs use MS DOS, MSDOS supplied by Microsoft.
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- NOS
- Network Operating System; similar to DOS but with networking capability, e.g. Novell Netware.
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- MSIU
- Mass Spectrometer Interface Unit; this is the Hiden supplied electronics rack with the comms connectors on the back.
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- LAN
- Local Area Network; the MSIU uses an Ethernet BNC LAN.
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- COM1: or COM2:
- The two RS232 serial communications links normally provided on a PC. Some PCs, particularly Notebooks may not have COM2: available.
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- launch
- Running an application (program) in Windows. Normally done by a double click on the application icon in Windows Program Manager.
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- MS DLC
- Microsoft Data Link Controller; a Windows driver program needed to drive a LAN link to the MSIU.
Installing RS232 All you have to do is plug the RS232 cable into socket MC-04 on the rear of the MSIU and into COM1 on the PC. Take care not to plug the cable into socket MC-03 (RS485/422 ). If you have an old-style RS-232 cable ( HA-061-014/a ) one end is labelled PC-AT, the other HAL 4; please ensure that if is one of these that it is the right way round. With newer cables it does not matter which way round the cable is.
Testing your PC If you have problems with your MASsoft installation, it's useful to check that your PC can communicate with other computers to see if the problem can be isolated to the PC or the mass spectrometer.
Ethernet link MASsoft may only be used on a LAN when operating under Windows for Workgroups 3.11 or better. With this operating system it is possible to communicate peer-to-peer with other PCs and read their disks or chat over the link. Testing in this way checks that the LAN card is correctly installed and in contact with the driver
Specific problems - MASsoft or ESPsoft does not launch or gives errors on launch (6 possibilities).
- MASsoft starts up but most of the menu options are grey
- MASsoft starts but will not run a scan.
- MASsoft starts but the Mass Spectrometer is Unavailble
- ESPsoft starts but the instrument is “Not found”
- MASsoft fails to re-interrogate on a serial connection
- MASsoft fails to re-interrogate over a network
- MASsoft gives errors during re-interrogation
- MASsoft starts but gives “Unknown Logical Device” error when run.
- MASsoft or ESPsoft starts but gives “Comm Port Error” dialogue when run.
- MASsoft or ESPsoft starts but gives “Status Change” dialogue when run.
- MASsoft crashes frequently
- MASsoft won't acquire data
- The same Mass Spectrometer appears twice in the "MassSpecs" menu list
- RS232 communication doesn't work.
- LAN communication doesn't work.
- Using MASsoft with Windows 3.1
- Using MASsoft with Windows For Workgroups 3.11
- Using MASsoft with Windows 95
- Using MASsoft with Windows 98
- Using MASsoft with Windows Me ( Millennium Edition )
- Using MASsoft with Windows NT 4.0 or greater
- Windows fails to start up.
- Windows fails to shutdown.
- Gateway Colorbook2 known problems
- MSIU beeps - Toshiba Satelite 1620 CDS Known Problem
- Mitac computers and PCI cards.
- Using MASsoft V 2.3 or earlier with Microsoft Office
1. MASsoft or ESPsoft does not launch or gives errors on launch PROBLEM #1 The folowing error message is displayed : Then when you press OK this dialogue is displayed. 
MASsoft or ESPsoft does not start. CAUSE Note: This problem does not occur with Windows NT. NT does not support VxDs, VDLCD.386 is not required.
When Windows initialises, you should see a DOS text screen appear with the banner VDLCD.386 - Virtual DLC interrupt handler'
By Steve Doughton. Copyright Hiden Analytical 1995
Release X.XX'
If this does not appear, the VDLC driver is not being loaded when Windows initialises, and MASsoft or ESPsoft will not launch correctly. The VDLCD.386 VxD is required even if you are running via the serial port. SOLUTION In Windows 95 and 98 the VDLCD.386 is loaded in the registry.
The registry keys for VDLCD.386 are at
MyComputer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\VxD\VDLCD
and should look like this: 
The path in the key StaticVxD should match the location of the file
If these keys are missing then try re-installing the Hiden software.
In the 3.5 inch disk based versions of the Hiden Software VDLCD.386 is loaded in the SYSTEM.INI file. If you have upgraded from MASsoft 3.5.3 or earlier or from ESPsoft 4.1.2 or earlier this line may still be present. netmisc=PATH\vdlcd.386
where PATH is the path to the MASsoft home folder
(default c:\Program Files\Hiden Analytical\Common which should be entered as C:\PROGRA~1\HIDENA~1\COMMON ). In Windows 95 or 98 you should NOT have an entry in SYSTEM.INI as well as an entry in the registry; if you have both then delete the entry in SYSTEM.INI If MASsoft ESPsoft or HideNet still refuses to run (an hourglass appears when you double click on its icon, but then disappears without an error message) then there you need to assign more resources to the DLC driver. In the [386Enh] section of SYSTEM.INI change the lines DLCSharedMem=16
DLCHeapSize=16
to DLCSharedMem=32
DLCHeapSize=32
PROBLEM #2 The folowing error message is displayed: 
Followed by 
CAUSE These indicate tbat MASsoft is trying to use the network and MS DLC is not installed.
SOLUTION If you want to use the network you must install MS DLC. See your MASsoft or ESPsoft User Manual. You will need to set the MSDLC property values unless you re-install MASsoft or ESPsoft. If you want to use RS232, ensure that the line NumOfAddresses=0
exists in the [Network] or [ESPNetwork] section of HIDEN.INI. This should be set automatically if you use the Comms Configuration Utility and un-check all the network addresses. Note that even if you are using RS232, the VDLCD.386 VxD driver must be loaded.
PROBLEM #3 The folowing error message is displayed:
No DLC_API.DLL
CAUSE The file DLC_API.DLL must be in the same folder as the MASSOFT.EXE or ESPSOFT.EXE file
SOLUTION If DLC_API.DLL is missing you need to re-install the Hiden Software Suite.
PROBLEM #4 The folowing error message is displayed: 
CAUSE The file HALDLC.DLL must be in the same folder as the MASSOFT.EXE or ESPSOFT.EXE file
SOLUTION If HALDLC.DLL is missing you need to re-install the Hiden Software Suite.
PROBLEM #5 The folowing error message is displayed: 
MASsoft may lock up after this error.
CAUSE You have installed the wrong version of the DLC protocol. You must install the 16bit version of DLC “Microsoft DLC” instead of the 32bit version “Microsoft 32-bit DLC”.
SOLUTION In the control panel open the Network control. In the Configuration tab select “Microsoft 32-bit DLC” and click on the Remove button Then click on the Add.. button, select Protocol and install “Microsoft DLC” according to the instructions in the MASsoft or ESPsoft User Manual. You will need to set the MSDLC property values unless you re-install MASsoft or ESPsoft.
PROBLEM #6 The following error message is displayed: 
When you click on OK this dialogue is displayed: 
CAUSE #1 MASsoft, ESPsoft or HideNet crashed while a network connection was still open.
SOLUTION Click on Yes to reset DLC.
CAUSE #2 MASsoft, ESPsoft or HideNet is already running.
SOLUTION Close the other application then select Yes.
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2. MASsoft starts up but most of the menu options are grey PROBLEM When you start MASsoft most of the menu items are grey. There are no mass Spectrometers listed in the Mass Spec menu. You can not open files or do File New.
CAUSE MASsoft has to have a current interrogation in order to open files. MASsoft can loose the interrogation if: - MASsoft is copied from one PC to another without copying the HIDEN.INI file from the \Windows folder. ( This is not a good idea anyway, as all the files needed by MASsoft will not be installed).
- The HIDEN.INI file is deleted
- You select “Force automatic re-interrogation” in the Comms Configuration Utility
- With MASsoft 3.5.3 this can occur if you install on a new PC from a set of upgrade discs without installing from the original set first.
- Entries in an existing HIDEN.INI file prevent merging of information from the HIDEN.INI on the System Information Disc.
SOLUTION If the PC is connected to an MSIU then use the Comms Configuration Utility, select “Force automatic re-interrogation”, then re-start MASsoft. MASsoft should re-interrogate your MSIU. If it does not then see the appropriate “MASsoft fails to re-interrogate” section.
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3. MASsoft starts but will not run a scan. PROBLEM You open a file, or create a new one using File New, but when you click on the green Start tool nothing happens. Or you start a run through the Gallery, with Commence Scanning checked, but when you press OK the scan is created but does not run.
CAUSE The Mass Spectrometer is not available. Check this by using File New to create a new scan window; the title bar will give the name of the instrument followed by Available or Unavailable
SOLUTION See “MASsoft starts but the Mass Spectrometer is Unavailable”
PROBLEM #2 You run a scan but it immediately displays:
CAUSE #1 If the status bar displays “Message 111 External trip” then the scan has stopped because an external trip connected to the “inhibit” input on the trip connector is active. This input should be connected to a pressure gauge or turbo pump trip output.
SOLUTION Check your system pressure and compare it with the pressure gauge’s or pump controller’s set point. If running for the first time check that the wiring of the trip is correct. The inhibit input fails safe so if it becomes disconnected it becomes active therefore it should be connected to a normally closed relay output. Check that the trip connector is actually connected. The trip input can be tested by connecting the trip override link connector provided with the system.
CAUSE #2 If the status bar displays “Message 112 Over pressure trip” then the scan has stopped because the pressure is too high in the source and this has been detected by the monitor circuit in the RF head. This monitor can be falsely activated if - The RF head is disconnected.
- The RF head cable D connector is mated at an angle or is not screwed fully home
- The source is in line-of-sight of an ion gauge, cold cathode gauge or other source of electron
- The gauge, RF head or cable is affected by extreme electrical interference or faulty earthing ( grounding ).
SOLUTION Check that the pressure in the source is not too high. Check and eliminate the other causes of this error.
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4. MASsoft starts but the Mass Spectrometer is Unavailble PROBLEM You open a file or create one using File New and the scan window’s title bar says “Unavailable”
CAUSE #1 The MSIU is switched off
SOLUTION Switch the MSIU on, if it will not switch on then check the fuses.
CAUSE #2 The MSIU is not connected
SOLUTION Ensure that the RS232 cable is connected from the RS232 port on MSIU to COM1 on the PC. Use the cable provided by Hiden. If connecting by network then ensure that the network card on the PC is connected by 50 ohm coax to the 10base2 BNC connector on the MSIU. Do not confuse with the SEM HV out connector! Make sure the cable is terminated at both ends with 50ohm terminators.
CAUSE #3 The MSIU is connected to the wrong Com port
SOLUTION Either connect the RS232 cable to COM1 on your PC or use the Comms Configuration Utility in Hiden Applications group to change the comms port.
CAUSE #4 The serial lead is plugged in to the RS422/RS485 connector
SOLUTION Both the RS422/RS485 and RS232 connectors are 9 pin D connectors. Do NOT connect to the RS422/RS485 connector, which is in the middle, between the network BNC and the RS232 D connector.
CAUSE #5 The MSIU in Mass Spec window is not the same MSIU as is connected. This can occur if you have connected the PC to another MSIU, if you installed the demo installation or if you used the wrong System Information floppy disc when you installed.
SOLUTION Check that the number ( the instruments WR number ) in the Mass Specs menu is the same as on the MSIU’s serial number plate. If it is not then use the Comms Configuration Utility to force automatic re-interrogation, then re-start MASsoft.
CAUSE #6 The MSIU was interrogated on the serial port and is now connected on a network or The MSIU was interrogated on a network and is now connected by a serial port
SOLUTION Use the Comms Configuration Utility to select the correct means of communication then force automatic re-interrogation and re-start MASsoft.
CAUSE #7 The MSIU has new EPROMs whose name does not match the original exactly. This can occur if the EPROMs have been reconfigured to change the instrument type, or if, due to a change in the software used to configure EPROMs, the name differs by even a space.
SOLUTION Use the Comms Configuration Utility to force automatic re-interrogation, then re-start MASsoft.
CAUSE #8 There is a fault in the serial connection
SOLUTION See the section 6. “MASsoft fails to re-interrogate on a serial connection”.
CAUSE #9 There is a fault in the network connection
SOLUTION See the section 7. “MASsoft fails to re-interrogate over a network”
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5. ESPsoft starts but the instrument is “Not found” PROBLEM You open a file or create one using File New and the scan window’s title bar says “Not Found”
CAUSE #1 The EPIU is switched off
SOLUTION Switch the EPIU on, if it will not switch on then check the fuses.
CAUSE #2 The EPIU is not connected
SOLUTION Ensure that the RS232 cable is connected from the RS232 port on EPIU to COM1 on the PC. Use the cable provided by Hiden.
If connecting by network then ensure that the network card on the PC is connected by 50 ohm coax to the 10base2 BNC connector on the MSIU. Do not confuse with the SEM HV out connector! Make sure the cable is terminated at both ends with 50ohm terminators. Obey the Rules for Connecting an Ethernet Local area Network in your Operators Manual
CAUSE #3 The EPIU is connected to the wrong Com port
SOLUTION Either connect the RS232 cable to COM1 on your PC or use the Comms Configuration Utility in Hiden Applications group to change the comms port. CAUSE #4 The serial lead is plugged in to the RS422/RS485 connector
SOLUTION Both the RS422/RS485 and RS232 connectors are 9 pin D connectors. Do NOT connect to the RS422/RS485 connector, which is in the middle, between the network BNC and the RS232 D connector.
CAUSE #5 There is a fault in the serial connection
SOLUTION See the section 6. “MASsoft fails to re-interrogate on a serial connection”.
CAUSE #6 There is a fault in the network connection
SOLUTION See the section 7. “MASsoft fails to re-interrogate over a network”
  
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