How To Reset a QTOF System Mass Spectrometer

For research use only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

Answer

Power cycling a QTOF mass spectrometer can help resolve communication issues between an MS, the PC and the LC components. The TripleTOF® system, the X500 QTOF system, and the ZenoTOF system instruments (X500-, 5600-, 6600- and 7600-series instruments) are all reset in the same way.

The first steps of the reset procedure for all of the TripleTOF, QTOF, and ZenoTOF systems involve the software: 
1. Stop acquisition if needed.
2. Save information or files as needed.
3. Place the system in Standby mode.
4. Deactivate the hardware configuration profile.
5. Close Analyst or SCIEX OS services (ClearCore2 service) and all other LC related services.

  A) Reset procedure for the X500B or X500R QTOF system instrument series:

1. Turn off the mass spectrometer using the convenience switch or main power button. (See figure below for switch marked as 11 and circled in red.)
2. Wait for 10 s and then switch the power button on.
3. Open SCIEX OS software only when no light is blinking on the mass spectrometer. 

B) TripleTOF 5600 and 6600 system instruments:

1. Turn off the mass spectrometer using the main power switch located in the back of the instrument. 
2. Wait for 10 s and then turn the power switch back on. (See picture below for switch marked as 8 and circled in red.)
3 Only start the Analyst® TF software when all lights stop blinking on the front of the mass spectrometer. 



C) ZenoTOF 7600 system: 
1. Turn off the mass spectrometer using the convenience switch or main power switch located in the back on the left-hand side. (See picture below for switch marked as 11 and circled with red.) 
2. Wait for 10 s and then turn the switch back on. 
3 Only start the SCIEX OS software when all lights on the mass spectrometer stop blinking.




 
The turbo pumps will not get damaged if the power switch is turned off for only 10 s; in most cases, it is enough time to reset the mass spectrometer and the controller board. For each instrument, the Analyst TF or SCIEX OS software can be opened when no more lights are blinking or flashing on the mass spectrometer. Opening the software will automatically start any dependent software services. Once a hardware profile is activated, most of the adjacent LC systems services will also automatically start.