Dear HPLC specialists,
We are considering the purchase of the Waters Millenium software
(2010 Multisystem with Bus LAC/E card) and our own computer system
consisting of a clone 486DX/33, 16 Meg memory, 200 Meg HD, SVGA.
This system will be used for the control of two simple gradient
systems. What follows is a request for information about the
performance of this equipment. We have had experience in running
gradient systems with WISP by Maxima for multiple sample analysis.
One system will be formed of a simple Waters UV detector (481)
Waters 710 WISP and will be used for analysis of samples for
ivermectin either by an isocratic or simple gradient protocol. For
this we need the ability to reliably perform and store overnight runs
and the ability to re-integrate unsatisfactory runs.
The software will also be used to control a gradient system for
research uses based around a standard injector and a Waters
996 photodiode array.
At present, none of the equipment has instrumentation interfaces
so one of the decisions we have to make is what method to connect
to Millenium, through either IEEE or SIM.
To build this system within budget (actually trying to keep the
overbudget to within $10,000) we are trying to keep everthing to
a minimum. To try and find out what is possible we have limited
sources of information. First the Waters reps out here seem to
be on a significant learning curve (or have some commercial interests
to push) and a limited number of users. We have been getting
conflicting info so I would be gratefull if anyone out there who is
using Millenium could perhaps clarify some matters.
Will Millenium control either IEEE or SIM interfaces or both?
(The Millenium manuals seem to suggest that SIM control is not
possible, but people are using it with SIMs)
Is the IEEE route significantly faster or has other major benefits
worth $2,000 extra?
How stable have you found the system?
(Our contacts report system lockups with version 1.0)
Is the overall performance sufficient to allow the control
of two gradient systems?
(We are told that the system is highly dependent on the absolute
maximum performance of the computer system else long waits even
with ordinary gradients)
Are these performance problems going to be much worse if significant
use is made of the PDA?
Is it possible to manually integrate?
(One group reports that Waters reps were unable to get that
section of the program to manually integrate runs)
There is some confusion as to the initial flow rates that are
allowed. Either zero flow rates are not allowed as the first
commands in programmes, or that the software will not start a
pump from zero flow?
A lot of questions!
Some of these we are hoping to get sorted out by more detailed
questioning here. However we need to make some decisions soon and
some other imputs will be valuable.
Thanks for any assistance.
Ian McCauley
Department of Biochemistry
Victorian Institute of Animal Science
Melbourne, Australia
AARNET ... extim at lure.latrobe.edu.au.oz
or ....... mccauleyi at agvic.gov.au.oz (much less reliable at present)
