Commands and Tips for Third-Party Devices
Varian 3400 and 3600 GCs: Troubleshooting

Problem: The GC does not reach the Ready state

In addition, the following message appears in Chromeleon: GC.CausesForNotReady=Remote_In.

Solution:

Disable the Remote input on the device. Select Set Checks on the Configuration menu and set Wait for ext. device ready? to No.

Error messages in Chromeleon:

(GC) Communication Error: Bad Response to "0" command 0

Problem: The instrument uses a method from the GC's method table.

  The error message is repeated until Chromeleon disconnects from the instrument.

Solution: On the instrument, delete all references to Method 1:

Select Method 1.

Press Delete/Section Table and select Section or Table, and then select Method 1. Select the section you want to delete (here: Column). The following message should appear on the instrument: Section Cleared.

Repeat these steps for the Injection Port, Autosampler, and Detector sections of the instrument.

If you want to use a Varian GC method (instrument) in Chromeleon, you have to add an autosampler. Select Build/Modify, and then select Method 1. Enable the autosampler in the method by selecting the autosampler and adding it to Method 1.

(GC) Communication Error: Bad Response to XB?22@DS Command: XB?22@DS COMMAND (or … to XC?22@DX Command: XC?22@DS COMMAND)

Problem: No autosampler has been defined in the Varian GC method (on the instrument).

Solution: Add the autosampler to the Varian GC method in Single mode. Select the autosampler on the instrument's panel via Build/Modify > Method 1 > Autosampler > Add Autosampler Section > Yes.

(GC) Communication Error: Bad Response to "Read Flag Not Ready" Command: ;B?22@DS COMMAND (or C?22@DS COMMAND)

Problem: Communication error due to incompatible EPROM or Varian GC CPU board.

Solution: Replace the four outdated EPROMs with EPROMs version 03-910617-00 Rev. 1 or higher.

Autosampler not present:

Problem: Communication error with the autosampler, mainly due to a bad connection.

Solution: Disconnect the autosampler from the power source and connect the brown autosampler cable to the CPU board.