How to actively monitor the status of the MassLynx Sample List from a remote PC on the network - WKB21218

OBJECTIVE or GOAL

Periodically check the status of the MassLynx data acquisition from a remote PC on the network, without using TeamViewer or Windows Remote Desktop.

Reason: to determine which data files have finished acquiring and are ready for data processing and/or backup.

ENVIRONMENT

• Any MassLynx 4.1 or 4.2 acquisition system

PROCEDURE

MassLynx includes a Status.ini file and a Samples Database, which are both configured at Tools > Options > System tab.

If the Status.ini is enabled during an acquisition, MassLynx writes a status file to any specified folder with a specified file name. This file contains information on the name of the current sample list, the number of the current sample being acquired, the current time, the status of the MS and LC, and some other information. This file is constantly updated during a run. Example attached.

If Database Logging is enabled, at the end of each sample acquisition, a new line is added to a database file that contains all the details of samples that have been run on the system (since logging was first enabled). The information for each sample is basically everything that's in the sample list. This file also has the name of the sample list file being used, the file name, the sample id, and more. The Database file can be opened in Excel. Example attached.

Both of these files can be written to a remote folder in the network. The only requirement is that the desktop user on the acquisition PC has Read, Write, and Execute (RWX) Windows access to the shared folder that is located on the remote drive. On the acquisition PC, the shared folder should be mapped. The mapped folder is then selected when configuring the Status.ini and sample logging functions.

The Database file can be kept open, and simply refreshed by clicking the Refresh button in Excel to get the most recent update on which samples have completed.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION