Waters DHCP server service stops running when connecting to instruments - WKB21762

SYMPTOMS

• When trying to connect to Ethernet instruments to upgrade firmware, the Waters DHCP service stops running or crashes.
• When this occurs, the connection to the device fails and the node displays "No" in Empower properties.
• This can prevent the firmware loader from executing.
• The following problems can also occur:
  • Connection with server lost when powering-on an Ethernet device
  • The DHCP service hangs or stops running during execution of "Scan for Instruments".
  • If the Waters DHCP Server Configuration page is opened, it closes unexpectedly when connecting or turning on an instrument.

ENVIRONMENT

• Empower 3

CAUSE

The Hosts file, in \Windows\System32\drivers\etc, contains no data after opening in Notepad, although there are actually NULL characters.

FIX or WORKAROUND

1. Copy a backed-up Hosts file from the directory \Windows\System32\drivers\etc to a file named "Hosts", with no extension, in the same directory.
2. If no backup exists, create a "Hosts" file, with the content shown in the linked file, in the directory \Windows\System32\drivers\etc.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION