The control of Shimadzu Nexis GC-2030 GC is available in Clarity - Shimadzu Edition ( p/n C50-28) and requires a Shimadzu license for each connected GC-2030.

Clarity - Shimadzu Edition is available only in Europe.

Examples:
Configuration for Clarity Shimadzu Edition with one GC-2030 GC:
p/n C50-28 Clarity Shimadzu Edition for 1 Instrument
p/n A23 GC control
p/n A23-001 GC Shimadzu license for one GC
optional
p/n A26 AS control ( in case there is a Clarity controlled autosampler)

Configuration for Clarity with two GC-2030 GCs:
p/n C50-28 Clarity Shimadzu Edition for 1 Instrument
p/n C55 Add on Instrument
p/n A23 GC control
p/n A23-001 GC Shimadzu license for one GC 2x
optional
p/n A26 AS control ( in case there is a Clarity controlled autosampler)

When ordering an upgrade from Clarity to Clarity Shimadzu Edition p/n C620-28 do not forget to add a Shimadzu license p/n A23-001.

In case the computer is connected to the Internet, just select the menu Help - Check for Updates in Clarity main window. New version will be offered. You may need to fill in the registration form and proceed with selecting the default options suggested.

• For Windows 7, you need to install a Microsoft .NET framework 4.7.2 or higher before running Clarity update. Use the link below:

Click here to download .NET 4.8 (this includes all previous 4.X versions)

• For Windows 10, make sure you have installed all available WIN10 updates before running Clarity update.

Alternatively you could download the version from our web pages, section downloads - full versions. You need to register (including the S/N of the station) and login, then save the update, transport it (by USB flash disc) to PC with Clarity and run the file.

The "No Data received for 10 sec" or "No data from Acquisition..." messages mean what they say, no data were received from a detector or convertor (Colibrick, U-PAD2, etc.) for a certain period of time. It may be caused by several cases:

1) In most cases, there is some problem on the computer - processor overload, interference on the USB bus, time consuming net search or backup operations blocking the communication for some time. The error invoked will cause stopping an acquisition or interrupting of the sequence.

Suspected programs are incorrectly set antivirus (continuous checking of file types used by Clarity during data acquisition - raw, prm, audit, tmp should be avoided), programs monitoring files on exchangeable media (i.e. programs for organizing and presenting of pictures, music or video, including some CD/DVD burning programs). One such persisting problem was reportedly solved by removing the Roxio Burning software.

This will occur more frequently on slow computers, the triggering action may be processor overload or some programs blocking the communication for extended period.

2) In some cases, Windows may suspend power of the USB HUB in the computer and this unexceptionally causes loss of connection to Colibrick or U-PAD2. Try to check the Device Manager dialog - Universal Serial Bus controllers. Display the Generic USB HUB Properties dialog - Power Management tab. Set Disabled for option Allow the computer to turn off this device to safe power. In case the problem is temporary, sending of the method again may solve the problem. If not, disconnect and reconnect the USB HUB.

The above mentioned problem with communication with Colibrick/ U-PAD2 was not observed when the USB hub is connected to the USB C connector on the PC.

At first, check if Colibrick/ U-PAD2 isn't connected to a USB hub. Problems are mostly related to the USB power supply, so the hub should definitely have the external power source.

Note that Colibrick/ U-PAD2 is sensitive to communication delays. Responsible for those delays on USB communication may be the computer hardware or software. Processor overload, low RAM memory or running processes blocking the processor or communication lines should be checked. In case the communication is interrupted for more then 10 seconds, an error will be invoked. Error message "No data from Acquisition", "No data received for ..." and similar may appear randomly. As a consequence, the running acquisition is stopped and the running sequence interrupted. In case the problem is temporary, sending of the method again may solve the problem. If not, disconnect and reconnect the USB hub.

Try the Task Manager and inspect the processor load and processes consuming large amount of CPU time or memory. Suspected programs are incorrectly set anti-virus (continuously checking file types used by Clarity during data acquisition). The *.raw, *.prm, *.audit, *.tmp file types should be disabled for scans. Any other programs monitoring files on exchangeable media (i.e. programs for organizing and presenting of pictures, music or video, including some CD/DVD burning programs) may also interrupt the Acquisition.

Also, when the Acquisition is running, it may be interrupted by any actions started during this, like a printing to a slow USB or network printer, large file transfer over network or USB, connecting or disconnecting USB devices, computer entering sleep mode or screen-saver activation.

The above mentioned problem with communication with Colibrick/ U-PAD2 was not observed when the USB hub is connected to the USB C connector on the PC.

To fix the reported problem please copy empty CLARITY.PSW file from CLARITY\BACK\LAST_INSTALLATION or CLARITY\CFG\BACK\LAST_INSTALLATION (depending on Clarity version) into CLARITY directory (for Clarity lower than 7.0) or CLARITY/CFG subdirectory (for Clarity higher than 7.0). Please note all User Account settings will be lost.

Yes, it is possible. The procedure is described in the Clarity Whitepaper D142 - How to capture network communication using Wireshark (Network Protocol Analyzer), please see the Whitepaper section to view the datasheet.

Problem is caused by recent Windows 10 update (Build 1809), which is blocking the used RUBY script intepreter library version used due to a vulnerability issues. For remedy, please update to Clarity version 8.1 or higher, the affected library was updated in it.

For Gow-Mac GC chromatograph use asymmetrical connection as shown on the picture below.

Connect Brown wire (Pink tubular end sleeve) to Terminal (+) and White wire (Grey tubular end sleeve) together with Yellow wire (shielding) to Terminal (-).

Do not connect anything to Terminal marked D on picture, it may cause the damage of the A/D converter.

Set also the Signal range at Method Setup Acquisition tab to the lowest possible value.

The recommended procedure for H53 method integration in Clarity:

1. use the same Peak Width and Threshold as in standard integration. Do not attempt to increase the Peak Width - this parameter causes a bunching of data as a side effect.
2. apply Baseline - Together to the whole chromatogram
3. apply Baseline - Forward Horizontal to the whole chromatogram
4. mark all the peaks between C10 and C40 as a group
   (the group boundary lines may exceed into the C10 and C40 peaks, only fully contained peaks will be included)
5. amend the peak starts and ends by manual peak tools if necessary for the C10 and C40
   (use the Peak - Both, with the A time corresponding to the respective C10 or C40 time and B time positive or negative respectively. The times are relative, i.e. will be shifted accordingly in other chromatograms).
6. create calibration file for C10, C40 and Group A peaks.

To subtract a baseline, in the Method Setup - Advanced dialog, set the baseline chromatogram and in the Matching set No Change. The baseline file should be acquired on stabilized system and preferably without injection of solvent or at least with lower volume of the solvent - otherwise negative artifacts will appear, which will interfere with the correct baseline setting in Clarity.

There is a condition that must be met:

When the chromatogram is integrated appropriately, use the Method - Save as Template command from the Chromatogram window to save the method as a template method, thus it can be opened on Instrument and used for further measurements.

Example of evaluated chromatogram

Sample data for Clarity

• DIN-H53.zip - zipped chromatograms method and calibration.
• Din-H53-processed.zip - zipped Clarity Project to load from Clarity. Unzip it and use Archive/Restore function in Clarity.

The serial number can be found in the About dialog.

1. Open the main Clarity window (or Clarity Lite window).
2. Use the Help - About menu command to invoke the About dialog.
3. Serial number can be found in the first tab.

You can also find it printed on a plastic card supplied to your USB installation media or it can be found in the packing list.

There may be an error message hidden behind the splashscreen (picture). You can use the following  workaround:
Start the station with a parameter -hide_splash, this should reveal the problem.

The easiest way is to modify the shortcut icon on the desktop - right mouse click on the icon to enter its properties page and add this parameter after the "c:\clarity lite\clarity.exe" (up to 6.2) or "c:\clarity lite\bin\clarity.exe" (since 7.0) in the Target field.

If the problem persists, update Clarity to the newest version or contact your local distributor.

Precondition:

The Retention indexes columns are hidden in the default layout of Clarity tables.
To display them in both the Calibration window and the Chromatogram window:

1. Open the Calibration (Chromatogram) window.
2. Point cursor in the calibration table (or Results table in chromatogram) and click the right mouse button.
3. A local menu will pop up, select the Setup Columns command.
4. In the Setup Columns dialog select Reten. index in the hidden columns list and click Display button and then OK.
5. Now the Retention indexes will be visible in the table.

To set the indexes:

1. In the calibration table, fill the Retention indexes to the corresponding peaks. The other peaks leave at zero value
2. Do not forget to save the calibration.
3. Open the chromatogram, that uses the calibration.
4. In the result table you will see the retention indexes.

Unretained peak:

If you need to use the Unretained Peak, follow these steps:

1. In the Calibration window, open the Calibration Options and turn on the Retention Indexes with Unretained Peak option.
2. You can change the Unretained Peak [min.] value in the Method Setup - Advanced tab.
3. If you want to change the value in the Chromatogram, click the Results - Performance Table menu in the Chromatogram window first.

Yes, Calibration Bracketing is supported directly in Clarity since version 3.0.

What is bracketing?

The bracketing in calibration is a technique, when samples in a long  sequence run are evaluated to standards immediately preceding and  immediately following the respective samples. It is used to compensate  for instability of detector response during the run, for example typical  for electrochemical detectors.

Bracketing in Clarity 3.0 and later

1. In the Method Setup - Calculation, set the name for cloned calibration files used during the Calibration Bracketing.

The field enables the use of any text, however it is recommended to  use  variables appropriate to the calibration method (Line, Date and  Time, ...) (1).

2. In the Sequence - Sequence Options, check the Calibration Bracketing option.

This sets the sequence and calibration to the Calibration Bracketing mode (2). As every unknown sample series is demarcated by calibration standards and as such uses a single calibration file, calibration will  be cloned from the  previous calibration clone whenever an unknown  sample or blank follows the  calibration standard. In a newly cloned  calibration file, all responses other  than responses of the last series of calibration standards (only those standards  that follow the unknown  samples) are cleared.

Yes, since Clarity ver. 3.0 you can add a User Column which displays RRT according to a Compound Name. To do this, follow the instructions:

• In the chromatogram, you need a defined peak name from Calibration Table which will be used for calculation of other peaks RRT. Alternatively you can name a peak directly in the chromatogram by using the Force Peak Name function.
• Add new User Column In the Result Table and in the Expression field type [Reten. Time]/[COMPOUNDNAME$Reten. Time]. COMPOUNDNAME is the compound that will be used as reference peak to calculate the retention times. You can generate the calculation by choosing the Reten. Time in the Columns field, then the "/" sign and for last click the Special Values button and click on the Compound item. Type name of the column in the Title field and hit OK. New column appear in the Result Table containing the calculated RRT.

This problem is caused by the wrong configuration file saved when the computer was shut down while Clarity was running. Normally, Clarity saves data to its configuration file when exiting. When the computer is shut down while doing this, the clarity.cfg file may be corrupted and cannot be used in Clarity next time it is opened.

The corruption of the clarity.cfg file may happen in numerous ways - when the computer is switched of while the Clarity is running, while experiencing some fluctuations in the power system or, which seems to be the cause of your client according to the lunch time, when the computer is switched to the sleep mode while Clarity is open, but not running. While the analysis in Clarity is running, Clarity can block the switching to the Sleep mode, but without an active analysis, it can't do so. Thus, when in sleep mode, the computer loses the communication between Clarity and the A/D converter and/or hardware key, it may result in destroying of the configuration. Backup configuration must be used than.

To solve the problem: All data, such as methods, sequences, data files, calibrations, etc. are saved on demand, and are not corrupted when similar situation arises. On the other hand, the clarity.cfg file holds the information on the path to these working directories (if set in the Directories dialog accessible via the System - Directories command from the main Clarity window). It is thus necessary to set these directories or select the project that was used before once more on each Clarity Instrument. Unfortunately, the clarity.cfg file is corrupted and the System Configuration settings are lost, so they must be set in the System Configuration dialog manually once more. To repair the damage, follow this process:

• Open the System Configuration dialog and configure your system manually (eg. add detectors, LC's, GC's, valves and so on to the configuration), fill in their settings and distribute them to particular instrument
• Close the System Configuration dialog and exit the station. The clarity.cfg file was now saved with the correct settings of the configuration.
• Open the Clarity once more.
• If you had the Directories dialog set before, use the System - Directories command from the Clarity window to set it once more. Then close the dialog.
• Open the Instrument. You might get the information similar to "the current method was prepared on different configuration. Some parametres will be used in default format", if you opened and then saved the method after the clarity.cfg file was corrupted.
• Load the desired project to the Instrument; default clarity.cfg file has Work1 directory set as the project directory, you have, most probably, created your own project before the shutdown. Use the File - Project command, select the appropriate project from the list and press the Open button.

The station should now be in the configuration as before the fall. If the method was opened and saved after the fall of the configuration, there might be necessary to check/set some parametres, mainly on the Method Setup - Acquisition and Method Setup - Measurement tabs.
To prevent from happening this in future: supposing that the cause of the problem was really the sleep mode of the operation system, switch it off according to the following procedure:

• In Windows 10 invoke Settings - System - Power & Sleep - Additional power settings - Choose when to turn off the display - Change advanced power settings and set Sleep after item and Hibernate after to "Never". Apply changes and use OK to exit this dialog.

• In Windows 7, 8.1 go to Control Panel - Hardware and Sound - Power Options - Edit Plan Settings to change the settings.

The corruption should be prevented for the future. Of course, if it was caused by another reason, such as instabilities in the power network, only good stabilized backup power source may help.

This is possible from Clarity version 4.0. In both Sequence window and Single Analysis dialog it is possible to define the name of the file (within current project) including the subdirectory - use the \ sign in the name of the file.
It is possible to use the standard Clarity variables in the name of the subdirectory - the file name could look for example like this:

In the given example, %s\%q_%Q_%R is used for creating the file name, which means a subdirectory with the sequence name (%s) will be created in the working directory, inside of which the files with a name of SampleID_Sample_Date-and-Time format will be created.
If the folder is not present at the moment when the acquisition is run, it will be created automatically (you might be prompted to confirm the folder creation). If the subfolder is already present, the file will be created in it.

In this respect, please take care not to break Windows file and folder naming rules, so check that space will not be the last character in the folder name etc.

Possible causes are:
a) Detector not allocated to instrument:

• Open the System Configuration dialog from the main Clarity window and check the tab of the corresponding instrument Instrument X (1).

• In the left-hand Setup Control Modules list select the correct detector (2) connected to the A/D card you are using and assign it (3) to the corresponding instrument (4) on the right.
• If your A/D card is not in the left-hand Setup Control Modules list, add it using the Add button (5) and repeat the previous step.
• Click on the OK button and return to the instrument window. Data acquisition window is now functional.

b) You have purchased a licence for data collection for a smaller number of instruments:

• Open the System Configuration dialog from the main Clarity window using the System - Configuration command and check the tab of the corresponding instrument - Instrument X. If there is a symbol of blue plug (6), it means that the instrument can not be used for data acquisition but only for method preparation and chromatogram evaluation.
• Check your serial number S/N, using the Help - About command from the main Clarity window.
• In case you want to measure on this instrument as well contact DataApex or your local distributor.

Windows 8 and later may contain predefined larger size of fonts than previous versions. It may also occur in Windows 7 when the user changes the font size.

Since Clarity version 7.2 majority of problems caused by larger fonts have been resolved. Therefore update to the latest Clarity version should help. If not and Clarity is displaying apparently larger font, cut text or labels in table headers, etc., check the Windows settings. In Windows 10 invoke Settings-Display- section Scale and Layout. It is recommend to set 100% (default) option.

User privileges settings:

• Clarity (Lite) user must have read/write access to Clarity system and data files. The default C:\Clarty (C:\Clarity_Lite) directory inherits Read Only status from C:\ on administered systems. Contact your local administrator to change the settings.

Antivirus programs:
Antivirus programs usually do not interfere with Clarity functionality. But there are two areas which may pose problems for correct functioning of Clarity (Lite):

• Antivirus is causing processor overload under certain situations which may leave insufficient memory resources for Clarity (Lite).
• Antivirus is continuously monitoring files frequently updated by Clarity (Lite) (.raw,.audit etc.) which may be unjustifiably marked as a threat to the PC.

Windows Updates:
Automatic Windows updates are in the default settings able to force unattended computer to restart regardless of running programs - only warning message will appear. Please note, the first two options (Automatic updates or Download updates) may result in the forced computer restart.

Choose one of the options for automatic updates:

• Never check for updates.
• Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them.

On administered systems ask your local administrator to choose on of the options described above.

In Windows 10 it is not possible to forbid updates settings.

In Windows 7, 8.1 go to Control Panel - System and Security - Windows Update- Change settings.

In Windows XP update's settings are accessible through Control Panel - Automatic Updates.

In case your PC and chromatograph is connected directly via LAN and autodetect is not possible, use the following configuration.

• Note that you need cross-over ethernet cable  (straight-through cable is not recommended).
• Open Windows Settings - Network & Internet - Ethernet tab - Change adapter options - right mouse click on the Local Area Connection and choose Properties.
• In the Local Area Connection Properties, choose item Internet Protocol Version 4 and click the Properties button.
• In the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties window check the radio-button Use the following IP address.
• Fill the IP address. The first three possitions define the network and must be the same as in the device IP address. The last position defines the device and must be unique within the network, so it must be set different from that of the connected instrument.
• Eventually other Ethernet boards within the computer must not share the same network.
• Subnet mask needs to be 255.255.255.0

During acquisition data are stored in temporary directory (...\TMP\ $ch1run.raw file ). The data are stored from memory to disk in approximately 1 min intervals. In case the computer crashes/freezes during a run, the up to that moment acquired data could be recovered using the Data Recovery ... command from the Single Analysis window. Note the chromatogram will be created according to the method and parameters specified the Single analysis (file name and processing parameters), which may be different from the ones used in the Sequence.

During freeze, it will depend if the thread collecting and storing the data to disk will be still active, with a crash, the data to the last minute before the crash could usually be recovered. In case the computer freezes often, it will be advisable to investigate the cause and try to find a remedy – please do not hesitate to send us the respective diagnostic files.  Memory dump may be helpful for such situation.

Warning message "Method xxx.met is modified and can not be sent. Save the method first and then send it" is displayed whenever user tries to send non-modified method from the Method Setup dialog. "MODIFIED" string is displayed repeatedly even after saving the method. Such behaviour was reported for selected ECOM modules. Possible workaround is to send method from elsewhere than the Method Setup dialog - i.e Data Acquisition or Device Monitor windows. The corresponding method need to be selected first in the Single Analysis dialog in the Method field manually.

List of error messages:

▌An unknown error occurred while accessing C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Temp\Clarity\$ch1run.raw

It can be displayed during the start of the acquisition, probably when the User does not have writing rights into C:\...\Clarity.

▌Attempted an unsupported operation.

It may occur when accessing a broken dialog or window. Please contact our support and describe in which window it happened.

▌Board malfunction

Probably there is an error in communication with DataApex converter. See a manual of INT7 or INT9 - chapter Troubleshooting, table List of Error Messages.

▌Blocked HW key

Your HW key has for some reason been blocked. contact our support for help.

▌Cannot add device group

When trying to drag the whole group of devices (AS, GC, ...) over to the Instrument.

▌Cannot add some subdevices. - DEMO - 1 was configured on Instrument XX

If the number of DEMO detectors in configuration exceeds a certain number. Up to 10 is definitely still fine.

▌Cannot connect with communication library CswHP1100.dll. Install Agilent IO Library Suite version 15.

Libraries for GPIB are not installed (e.g. when switching the station from Clarity Demo mode with 1100 over GPIB in configuration). We do not include the libraries, see the Agilent website. Also note that GPIB communication is no longer supported since Windows 7.

▌:Cannot create Detector

This error message can occur while using a DataApex A/D converter. Probably an unregistered library. Please contact our support.

▌Cannot create RAW file

Cannot create raw file C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Temp\Clarity\$ch1temp.raw is an error message which occurs due to very specific circumstances.

After starting the analysis, the file $ch1run.raw is created. When the analysis finishes, it is then renamed to $ch1last.raw from which the chromatogram *.prm is created. The file $ch1temp.raw gets created in case the renaming is not possible - usually due to a modal error message which awaits confirmation.

▌Cannot create temporary files

At Clarity startup if the user cannot write to C:\Clarity (installed without administrator rights).

▌Can't create ... (device name)

Usually a problem with the control module library (*.dll file). See FAQ - Question "I get an error message (Error on setup, Can't create ...) when I want to add an hardware to Clarity Configuration".

▌:Cannot determine the number of bytes in input queue for Serial communication. System Error Information : 31. A device attached to the system is not functioning

If Multicom is unplugged from the USB of the PC (ECOM LCO connected over Multicom).

▌:Cannot determine the number of bytes in input queue for Serial communication. System Error Information : 1167. The device is not connected

If Multicom is unplugged from the USB of the PC (ECOM LCO 102 connected over Multicom).

▌Cannot establish communication with XXXX SN xxx! XXXX SN xxx might not be connected, installed properly or it might be malfunctioning

In an attempt to open Instrument which has an uncommunicative device in configuration (e.g. unplugged U-PAD2 or Colibrick).

▌Cannot find driver file

From version 2.8 and later - this message pops up if an DataApex internal A/D (INT7, INT9) card is configured but physically unplugged. Also if the device is disabled in the Device Manager. See a manual of INT7 or INT9 - chapter Troubleshooting, table List of Error Messages.

▌Cannot find first board

This message may occur when a user wants to configure more A/D cards than is present in the PC.

▌Cannot find RAW file

This message has occurred while ending the analysis (Agilent 7890). Cause unknown yet.

▌Cannot find second board

If the user tries to add a second board which is, however, not present in the PC. See a manual of INT7 or INT9 - chapter Troubleshooting, table List of Error Messages.

▌Cannot load device driver

This message could have occurred on older versions of Clarity (for example on 2.5.6.99), probably due to a missing DataApex INT7 card. See a manual of INT7 or INT9 - chapter Problems with INT7.

▌Cannot load script xxx server execution failed (Ruby control modules)

Problem is caused by recent Windows 10 update (Build 1809), which is blocking the used RUBY script intepreter library version used due to a vulnerability issues. For remedy, please update to Clarity version 8.1 or higher, the affected library was updated in it.

▌Cannot open File Open Dialog. An unknown error occurred during this operation

This message seems to be related to exhausted Windows resources. Make sure you are using the latest version of Clarity and a fully functional Windows installation.

▌Cannot open file XXX The file is already open on Instrument YYY.

If you attempt to open a method that is already opened on another instrument.

▌Cannot open USB communication for XY

For example U-PAD2/Colibrick. Possible causes are if the A/D converter is connected over a USB hub or if there is a problem with DLL registration.

▌Cannot send data in serial communication

If you have, for example, a GC connected over a NetPAD and in configuration you first remove the NetPAD and then try to perform something with the GC.

▌Changing project requires to restart instrument. (You will be prompted to save modified files.) Is this OK ?

If you have unsaved changes in the Chromatogram window and you also want to change a project on the instrument.

▌Clarity is already running!

Appears during the startup of Clarity.exe if another instance is already running.

▌Clarity.psw file has been changed. Please see help file for possible reasons.

When upgrading Clarity from versions older than 8.0, this dialog may occur at first run and be logged in Station Audit Trail. It is a standard behavior caused by security improvements in newer versions of Clarity.

When manipulation with the *.psw file has been detected, it appears during the start of Clarity . This manipulation may mean a *.psw file from another station was copied to the Clarity configuration folder (C:\Clarity\Cfg by default) or when Clarity closed unexpectedly (Clarity crash, PC power failure, ...) when the *.psw file was modified but not yet saved.

When the *.psw file found does not contain a record about station running in the Regulated Environment, station will normally continue working and no message will be displayed on further Clarity station starts. If the *.psw file contains the record about station running in the Regulated Environment, station will not start at all. An empty *.psw file from the \Cfg\BACK\LAST_INSTALLATION\ subfolder can be used, all user accounts must be recreated and all GLP options must be re-selected.

▌Clarity.psw file has been corrupted. Clarity will now terminate. Replace the corrupted Clarity.psw file in Clarity folder (C:\Clarity\Cfg) with default file from the backup folder C:\Clarity\Cfg\Back\Last installation. All user accounts will be lost.

ppears during the start of Clarity when *.psw file is corrupted (illegible). Clarity will not start at all. An empty *.psw file from the \Cfg\BACK\LAST_INSTALLATION\ subfolder can be used, all user accounts must be recreated and all GLP options (if used) must be re-selected.

▌Configuration file C:\Clarity\Cfg\Clarity.CFG is not valid. The file was either damaged or created with a later version of the software. The backup copy will be used.

Appears when starting Clarity with a non-compatible *. cfg file.

▌Configuration file C:\Clarity\Cfg\Clarity.CFG is not valid. The file was either damaged or created with a later version of the software. Contact support for help.
Appears when starting Clarity with a non-compatible *. cfg file. Backup cannot be restored in this case.

▌Detector 1 (= NAME OF SIGNAL) is not acquiring any data

In case of high load on a low performance PC. This error may also occur due to physically damaged card during acquisition.

▌Encountered an improper argument

In version 3.0.3.295, this message appeared when the PDA tab in Report Setup was moved from the initial position.

▌:Error Occurred During Setup.

This message can happen during the configuration of a control module.

▌Error 1008 V-2500 (Upchurch) (SN N/A): Not Connected

If the valve from a COM port is disconnected, it is switched from Waiting to Communication Error.

▌:FAILED to send method to device (Thermostats)

When thermostat is unplugged from RS232 and then "Send Method" is pressed manually.

▌:FAILED to send method to sub-device

If the device stops communicating with several parts (e.g. 7890).

▌Fraction table contains overlapping time intervals. Please amend the table so that the time intervals don't overlap.

This error occurs if the user creates a wrong table for a fraction collector with overlapping times. It is a warning for the user that the fraction table needs to be corrected in order to avoid presence of the overlapping time segments in the table.

▌HW Key test Failed

Your HW key is not working correctly. Contact our support for help.

▌Incompatible device driver

The kernel driver and the driver in the Clarity do not match.

▌Invalid rows detected in the Method Setup - Event Table. The invalid rows will be marked out and skipped from events processing

This message appears during the opening of a method whose Event Table uses something that is not in the configuration.

▌Method file XXX does not exist. For more information about errors on the other rows, point mouse cursor over "Sts." Column for each row.

This happens when opening or checking a sequence which contains a name of a non-existent method.

▌Method file XXX was prepared with different instrument configuration and cannot be sent into HW. Open Edit Method Dialog and press OK to adapt it to the new configuration (non-matching parameters will be replaced by defaults).

If the instrument or method being opened does not correspond to the hardware which is currently present in the configuration.

▌Missing keylock drivers

The drivers for the HW key are missing or corrupted. They need to be reinstalled. See FAQ on our website - HW key (re)installation.

▌Net-PAD (SN Error) Cannot send sockets.

Net-PAD is not communicating. This may be due to a faulty cable or that when using a direct connection the PC does not have a static IP address set up.

▌NETPAD malfunction

This message appears if the data do not arrive within 7.5 seconds.

▌:No data received for 10 s.

This message may occur during an acquisition if Clarity has not received any data for a prolonged period of time. Make sure the PC is not under high load during the acquisition.

▌No detector has been found and not even DEMO detector has been found

The control modules may be incorrectly registered. Please check the IQ Report of Clarity.

▌Please enter valid Data Size. Minimum is 2.

The content of the imported file is too short (only one data point on the graph).

▌Project directory already exists but has no project file! Do you want to create the project file?

Project directory with this name already exists but it misses its project *.prj file. Select one of options. It is recommended to select Yes option.

▌Project file already exists but has no project directory! Do you want to create the project directory?

There already exists project *.prj file with given name but it misses its project folder. Select one of options. It is recommended to select Yes option.

▌Project already exists! Choose a different name.

Project with this name already exists. Select another and unique name for newly created project.

▌Seek failed on C:\..... .csv

The content of the imported file is too short (less than 5000 Bytes). Please update to the latest version of Clarity.

▌Shutdown from Event Table

This message appears after executing the Shutdown command from the Event Table.

▌Stop time must be larger than Start time for individual fractions.

This message concerns fraction collectors. The Fraction table contains incorrect settings of Start Time and Stop Time for one or more rows. Each row of the Fraction table has to be set such that the Stop Time is always higher than the Start Time on the same row.

▌The report style "Chromatogram.sty" does not exist or is damaged. Default report style "Noname" will be used instead.

This message appears during the opening of a Chromatogram window while deleting/renaming or damaging the respective .sty file in the meantime.

▌Too many peaks in chromatogram. Try to increase peak width or threshold

Peak Width was set to a low value (e.g. to 0.001 minutes in a 80 minute noise chromatogram).

▌Too much data for FFT. Max. number of samples in interval is 2E6

FFT applied to a too large interval.

▌Unable to lock instrument in unprotected mode!

When no user is created and you attempt to set Lock on an opened instrument.

▌UPAD (SN...): Cannot send data in USB communication.

For example when you unplug a USB cable during acquisition and confirm the displayed error, the Instrument then switches to a Communication Error.

▌UPAD device malfunction

This appears during the test of a UPAD when it does not provide any data. In other words, during the start of Clarity an acquisition signal 10V/100Hz is sent to the first UPAD channel and if there is nothing received from the UPAD in 1 second, this error message appears. See the manual of UPAD - chapter Troubleshooting.

▌User accounts file load error

The file Clarity.psw failed to load. Happens, for example, if you downgrade from 3.0 to 2.8 and leave the old files in place.

▌You are attempting to paste incompatible or out of range values

This message may occur while copying a sequence table prepared in Excel. Make sure the form of the table and its values are correct.

▌You entered 3 times wrong password, you must restart program

If the user submits a wrong password three times in a row prior to closing Clarity.

Error messages in IQ report:

▌wrong checksum (size), probably different version of the file

Check the IQ Report to see if the Clarity installation is correct.

▌Warning: unknown control module

Happens e.g. in Clarity Lite for drivers of control modules if the PC finds a full version of Clarity installed.

▌Failed: bad size

The file has a different size (compared to iq.chk) - occurs e.g. in Clarity Full for .dll from Lite, if that one was the last registered.

▌Failed: bad checksum

The file has a different checksum (compared to iq.chk) - occurs for .dll which has the right size, but the checksum does not match. For example if you edit the size of iq.chk manually.

This problem may occur on Windows 10 and Clarity versions 7.2 to 7.4.1. It is probably caused by Windows 10 removing occasionally the files and folders from the Temp directory - Clarity did not anticipate this new behavior.

As a remedy it is needed to create folder C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Temp\Clarity manually. In some cases creating of the folder may be blocked by a file C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Temp\Clarity (this file is without extension) - such file need to be deleted first.

The problem was fixed in Clarity release 8.0.

Hint: the Temp folder is hidden by default. Type the full path or "%Temp%" to navigation bar of any opened folder (i.e. Windows Explorer) to access the Temp folder.

This problem may occur on Windows 10 and Clarity versions 7.2 to 7.4.1. It is probably caused by Windows 10 removing occasionaly the files and folders from the Temp directory - Clarity did not anticipate this new behavior.

As a remedy it is needed to create folder C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Temp\Clarity manually. In some cases creating of the folder may be blocked by a file C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Temp\Clarity. (this file is without extension) - such file need to be deleted first.

The problem is fixed in Clarity release 8.0 and later. Please update your installation.

Hint: the Temp folder is hidden by default. Type the full path or "%Temp%" to navigation bar of any opened folder (i.e. Windows Explorer) to access the Temp folder.

Clarity installation requires specific version of Microsoft .NET framework, which may not be installed or enabled on the computer by default. You will be notified by the Clarity installer which version of .NET is missing on your PC.

Some external control modules and its components may also require different version, which is not controlled by Clarity installer.

There are three ways to obtain required versions of .NET framework:

• Install the version of .NET supplied on the installation media, folder dotNet.
• Download the version of .NET from the internet, using the links below, and then install it.
• Turn on windows updates to download latest version.

Requiered versions of .NET Framework

• Clarity installation requires version of .NET Framework 4.7.2 or higher
• Installation Qualification for Knauer HPLC requires .NET Framework 3.5 SP1

.NET Framework installation

On Windows 7, download the respective versions using the link below:

Click here to download .NET 3.5 SP1

Click here to download .NET 4.8 (this includes all previous 4.X versions)

On Windows 8.1 and  Windows 10, follow these steps:

• Press the Windows Start button, search for "Turn Windows features on or off" and run it.
• In the displayed Windows Features dialog, check the .NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0) and .NET Framework 4.X.

• Click OK and the selected option will be installed and enabled.

Note:

Installing .NET framework may require additional windows updates.

Always follow instructions supplied with each version of .NET you are installing. It contains information about additional updates and security fixes.

Installation of .NET 3.5 is not always smooth in Windows 10, consult it with your IT to find the best way to install it.

It had been observed that combination of Clarity 7.4.1 and MS Windows 10 significantly slowed down starting up of Clarity - order of dozens of seconds. This was not caused by Clarity but by bug in Windows 10 which has been already fixed. If you are experiencing this issue please download Windows patch KB4058258.

If MS Windows update is not possible (e.g. computer is not connected to the internet), download MS Windows update patch KB4058258 from https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4058258/windows-10-update-kb4058258 and install it on the desired computer. Size of this patch is approx. 660 MB.

You might be unable to add control modules to an instrument in the newest version 7.4.00.75. This problem is caused by missing MS Windows patch KB2533623. To solve this problem update MS Windows to up-to-date state.

If MS Windows update is not possible (e.g. computer is not connected to the internet), download MS Windows update patch KB2533623 from https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=26767 and install it on the desired computer. Size of this patch is approx. 1.1 MB.

Up to Clarity version 8.2.2 a slowdown in the computer performance after installing the drivers for the Sentinel HW key may be caused by incorrect settings selected during the installation. These problems occur when Clarity is running and you try to work with files/directories on the network (for example, searching for the network printer).
Clarity installer correctly installs Sentinel drivers with disabled "Sentinel protection server", "Sentinel Keys Server" and "Sentinel Security Runtime" options. However, if the drivers were previously installed manually, the options that cause the slowdown could have been set.

Solution:

• Run the Sentinel Protection Installer 7.6.5.exe program found in the HW_DRIVERS\SENTINEL subdirectory on your Clarity installation media.
• Get to the "Custom Setup" dialog:
  - If Sentinel drivers are already installed on your computer, choose the "Modify" option in the first dialog.
  - In case you have no Sentinel drivers installed on your computer so far, select the "Custom installation" option during the installation.
• In the list of installed devices, disable the "Sentinel protection server", "Sentinel Keys Server" and "Sentinel Security Runtime" options.

Please update your installation to the latest version of Clarity.

In case you were asked for a User Code (U/C) during update to Clarity 7.2, it means that the update has not been performed correctly. However there is a simple solution.

1. Finish Clarity installation first - skip the step where you are asked to supply the User Code.

2. After Clarity is installed, do not start it.

3. Go to the installation directory of Clarity - this is by default in C:\Clarity directory.

It is highly probable that the installation directory will contain extra files and/or directories which were not intended.

4. The structure in the root Clarity directory should be exactly like the list below:

• Bin
• Cfg
• DataFiles
• uninstall.dat
• Uninstall.exe

5. Move any extra project directory (contains your measured chromatograms, calibrations, methods and so on) to the DataFiles directory.

6. Move any extra Clarity file (such as Clarity.dsk, Clarity.sno, Clarity.snp, Clarity.psw or similar) to the Cfg directory.

7. Finally, start Clarity and now it should not ask for the user code.

If you manually copy a control module *.dll (i.e. not using an installer) you have to run the regsvr32.exe with administrator rights to register it.

• Hit the Windows Start button or key on your keyboard, type cmd in the search field.
• Right-click to open the pop-up menu and select Run as administrator.
• In the command line, type regsvr32.exe and a path to the dll (for example "regsvr32.exe C:\Clarity\Bin\MyFile.dll") and press Enter. The library will be registered.
• If you will not perform the operation with the administrator privileges, an error message with code 0x8002801c will appear.

Since Clarity version 8.2. unauthorized control modules cannot be added this way.

This is a Windows OS error message. The *.dll file is missing or incorrectly installed. It is neccessary to re-/install the Visual Studio 2015 runtime. Follow these steps:

1. Check for Windows updates and install all available updates

2. Restart your computer

3. Download the Visual C++ Redistributable 2015 package

For Windows 64-bit - Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2015 (64-bit)

For Windows 32-bit - Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2015 (32-bit)

4. Run the vcredist_x64.exe (64-bit) or vcredist_x86.exe (32-bit) and select Uninstall if already installed

5. Run the *.exe again and select Install and restart the computer

6. Run Clarity

Problem

The USB or LPT HW key is not functional.

The Rockey USB/LPT and Sentinel USB/LPT HW keys are not functional due to installation of wrong driver. This situation occurs in case this HW key was connected to PC before the installation of correct driver (Clarity). It can be solved by uninstalling the wrong driver and installating of the correct one. You can find such info in chapter describing the certain HW key.

Symptoms

• The "DEMO - missing HW Key" inscription is displayed in Clarity main window. This is valid until Clarity 6.0.
• The "Missing HW key" dialog is displayed instead of Clarity (Lite) window. This is valid since Clarity 6.0. Clarity will not enter into "Demo" mode.
• The HW key icon in the Device Manager contains exclamation mark in yellow triangle. This can occur when wrong driver for HW key is installed.

Solution

Before you will do anything, ensure the corresponding port (USB, LPT) is enabled in the BIOS settings (integrated peripherals). The drivers can be installed even if it is not enabled, however the key will not function then.

a) For a USB HW key, check the following:

• See whether the USB port is working (e.g. try connecting different device and see if it's working, etc.)
• See whether the HW driver is installed. In such case the green LED on the HW key should be on.

b) For a HW key connected to a parallel port check the following:

• Try to print to the printer.
• Ensure that the printing cable is not too long (> 3m).
• Disconnect the printer cable and connect the HW key directly to the port of the computer.

Depending on type of HW key you get with the Clarity, continue with the proper chapter of (re)installation. See images below:

Rockey USB ND	Rockey USB	Rockey LPT	Sentinel USB	Sentinel LPT

Rockey USB ND

Rockey USB ND does not need separate installation of drivers. Drivers will be automatically installed once plugged into the USB port.

At first sight, Rockey USB ND is distinguished from other keys by the fact that the casing is grey and transparent (internal chip is visible).

• Insert the Rockey USB ND into functional USB port.
• The drivers will be installed automatically.
• Start Clarity.

Supported from Clarity version 2.6.1.

Rockey USB

• Let the key be connected to the computer.
• Use the instdrv.exe from the installation DVD, \HW_DRIVERS\ROCKEY (up to 6.2) or \BIN\HW_DRIVERS\ROCKEY (since 7.0)(alternatively you can download it from https://downloads.dataapex.com/drivers/Rockey.zip).
• Run the installer (instdrv.exe) with the option Remove.
• Restart the computer when requested.
• Remove the key from the computer.
• Run the installer (instdrv.exe) again with default settings.
• When finished, insert the key back into the USB port.

If it will not help, please check, if the used USB port is functional or try to install the station on another computer.

Rockey LPT

• Verify that the key is properly inserted in the LPT (printer) port.
• In filemanager (e.g. Windows Explorer) navigate to C:\CLARITY\HW_DRIVERS\ROCKEY (up to 6.2) or to C:\CLARITY\BIN\HW_DRIVERS\ROCKEY (since 7.0).
• Run the "InstDrv.exe" file to invoke Setup Wizard.
• Select Repair in the first dialog and click Next.
• In the second dialog check the Install parallel driver checkbox.
• Select the Detect the parallel business radiobutton and click the Next button.
• In the third dialog click the Complete button.
• You will be asked to Restart Windows.

If this will not help, contact our technical support on support@dataapex.com.

Further observed limitations of the LPT HW key

• Rockey LPT key does not function on LPT2 and higher, it can be used only with LPT1.
• Rockey will function only on board LPT ports and ignore the ports on PCI cards.

Sentinel USB

• Sentinel drivers are not part of installation and thus not supported in Clarity version 8.2.2 and newer.
• Let the key connected to the computer.
• Use the Sentinel Protection Installer from the installation DVD, \HW_DRIVERS\SENTINEL (up to 6.2) or \BIN\HW_DRIVERS\SENTINEL (from 7.0 to 8.2.2) (alternatively you can download it from https://downloads.dataapex.com/drivers/Sentinel.zip).
• Run the installer with the option Remove.
• It is not necessary to restart the computer when requested.
• Remove the key from the computer.
• Run the installer again with default setting (Custom installation).
• Disable the installation of Sentinel Protection Server and Sentinel Keys Server.

• When finished, insert the key.

If it will not help, please check, if the used USB port is functional.

Sentinel LPT

• Sentinel drivers are not part of installation and thus not supported in Clarity version 8.2.2 and newer.
• Verify that the key is properly inserted in the LPT (printer) port.
• Use the Sentinel Protection Installer from the installation DVD, \HW_DRIVERS\SENTINEL (up to 6.2) or \BIN\HW_DRIVERS\SENTINEL (since 7.0) (alternatively you can download it from https://downloads.dataapex.com/drivers/Sentinel.zip).
• Run the installer with the option Remove.
• It is not necessary to restart the computer when requested.
• Remove the key from the computer.
• Run the installer again with default setting (Custom installation).
• Disable the installation of Sentinel Protection Server and Sentinel Keys Server and enable the Parallel Driver.

• When finished, insert the key.

If this will not help, contact our technical support on support@dataapex.com.

In Clarity version 7.0 a new organisation of the installation folder structure has been implemented to separate the program files (*.dll, *.chm), configuration settings (*.ini, *.cfg) and the user data (*.prj, *.cal).

During the update, installation wizard will automatically move files to new locations. Once this is performed, it is not easy to revert back to the previous version (i.e Clarity 6.2).

Suppose that you have Clarity version 6.2 and you want to update to Clarity 7.0 To make sure that you can revert back any time after updating to Clarity 7.0, perform the following steps:

1. Make a backup of your projects, chromatograms, etc.
2. Uninstall current Clarity version (6.2).
3. Start the installer of Clarity 7.0 or higher.
   1. Change the Destination Folder to C:\Clarity7 or other.
      (Otherwise it would be installed over the previous installation.)
      
   2. Set data location to C:\Clarity7\DataFiles.
   
   
   c. Finish the installation.
4. To preserve your original configuration, copy the following configuration files from the original installation (6.2) to the new installation (7.0) CFG subfolder:
   1. Clarity.cfg (and potentially any other *.cfg files)
   2. Clarity.dsk (and potentially any other *.dsk files)
   3. Clarity.sno
   4. Clarity.psw

Reverting back to previous Clarity

When revert is needed, perform following steps:

1. Uninstall the new version (7.0)
2. Install the previous version to the original installation folder (C:\Clarity). The one used before update to 7.0

Note that once you update to Clarity 7.0, Desktop files (*.dsk) are not compatible with previous versions of Clarity (6.2)!

In Clarity version 7.0 a new organisation of the installation folder structure has been implemented to separate the program files, configuration settings and the user data. During update, the installer automatically moved the files to new locations. Once this is performed, it is not easy to revert back to the previous version.

Suppose that you installed/updated to Clarity version 7.0 and you want to revert to previous version. Perfom the following steps:

1. Uninstall Clarity 7.0 (Start menu - All Programs - Clarity group).

2. Install the previous version (e.g. Clarity 6.2).

3. Change the Destination Folder to something else (e.g. C:\Clarity6.2\).

Note: Do not install previous version into directory of previously uninstalled Clarity version 7.0!

4. Follow the wizard and complete the installation.

Now we have 2 directories. One with uninstalled Clarity 7.0 (C:\Clarity) and second with installed Clarity 6.2.

• To use your configurations and desktop settings (Clarity.cfg, Clarity.dsk, Clarity.psw and Clarity.sno) copy them from C:\Clarity\Cfg to C:\Clarity6.2 (depending upon how you have called it during the installation).

• To copy your data use the Archive/Restore command accessible from the Instrument window.

The listed warnings can appear during installation of Zebrick:

Win XP: " The software you are installing has not passed Windows Logo testing to verify its compatibility with Windows XP."

Win Vista, 7: " An unidentified program wants access to your computer." and "Windows can't verify the publisher of this driver software."

To continue the installation confirm/allow the unidentified publisher. For Win XP click Continue Anyway, for Win Vista, 7 click Allow and then Install this driver software anyway.

After update to Clarity 6.2 it may happen that it will not be possible to change the Time Range and Signal Range in the Data Acquisition window anymore. In such case please right-click on the toolbar and in the pop-up menu select the Reset All command.

The peak detection algorithm used in FC-GP can be explained using the figure below. Red color is the signal, blue color is the derivative of the signal (basically a slope at that moment). The axis on the left is shown in the units of the derivative, there are two green vertical lines at 2 and -2 for illustration (let us assume the slope has start value of 2 and end value of 2).

First peak is being collected when the derivative raises over limit 2 (first upwards black line). The peak is being collected through the peak apex (even before that the derivative falls below 2) and still being collected when the derivative falls below -2. It then starts to raise and the peak end is triggered when the derivative raises from some -4 above -2 (which is the negative of the end limit). In case the derivative on the peak end never falls below -2, the fraction will never end (until the end of the interval of the collection).

The Clarity software license is fixed on the HW key. The software itself could be installed freely on different computers, but without the HW key it will not start.
For moving Clarity to a new PC follow these steps:

1)  Install the software on a new computer (latest version could be downloaded from our website www.dataapex.com, section download), you need to be registered and logged in. During the installation make sure all necessary drivers and control modules were installed - some may not be included in the Typical installation.

2) Connect the hardware (MultiCOM, A/D Converter, etc.) and HW key.

3) Enter the user code matching the HW key.

4) To restore your settings  copy the system files (clarity.cfg, clarity.dsk, clarity.psw) from the matching old computer to Clarity folder on new PC.

If you have Clarity Full version:

5) To restore the data, copy the respective folders (including the Projects and Common) or (recommended) use Archive/Restore command  to copy the needed projects.

If you have Clarity Lite:

5) To restore the data, copy the respective folders (including the Projects and Common).

The loss of the HW key = the loss of the license.  The software and a new HW key must be repurchased  (see Item 6 in General Sales conditions ).

Damaged keys may be replaced for a nominal charge. The damaged key must be returned.

For one or more devices requiring the serial (COM) RS232 port, use the reliable MultiCOM adapter from DataApex (p/n MC01). Proper operation of the MultiCOM adapter has been approved by many of our satisfied customers.

If you purchase the USB to serial (COM) RS232 cable adapter from another manufacturer consider following recommendations:

• DataApex strongly recommends NOT TO purchase USB-RS232 cable converters based on processor chips provided by Prolific. Prolific processor chips are known to be unreliable. The preferred chip manufactures are Silicon Labs or Future Technology Devices International Limited.
• It is also strongly recommended to install appropriate drivers for these chips.
• When purchasing cable devices it is also necessary to consider limitations related to maximum cable length. There is a related Topic in DataApex FAQ section under this link.

It is possible that after upgrading from Clarity version 5.0.1.461 to a newer version you may obtain a message saying that your method is using changed configuration and your detector settings has been reset to default. This is due to improvements which have been implemented for future versions. Unfortunately, the only way to rectify the situation is to check the configuration and set parameters in the method once again.

1. In the Agilent GC instrument, disable one of the analog output and on the used one, set the appropriate detector (front or back) you want to measure from.
2. Connect the analog output of the GC to Colibrick, U-PAD2 or Int9 A/D card using the Int7 cable. See the hardware manuals at our downloads web site.

In case you have Clarity:

• Add the Colibrick, U-PAD2 or Int9 card to the System Configuration and add the detector on the Clarity Instrument. See the hardware manuals for more details.

In case you have Clarity Lite:

• After start of Clarity Lite, you can start acquire data immediately.

There are two options how to solve this:

1. In the top part of the Method Setup - Acquisition dialog, choose the signal you want to disable and uncheck the  "Enabled" option next to it.

2. You can also remove the unwanted detector in the System Configuration. Simply select it on the right side of the window and press the DEL key.

Most probably yes, the list contains only directly controlled autosamplers. In other words those where it is possible to set the position and injection method. Nevertheless Clarity enables basic synchronization (allow injection and start data acquisition) with arbitrary automsamplers equiped with appropriate control output (eventually input). For more information about AS connection refer to chapter 6 (Connecting Autosamplers) in the Getting Started.

The user code of the workstation does not match with the HW key. Use the Help - User Code command in the main Clarity (Lite) window to check the user code of the station.

Note that this error messages are displayed only up to Clarity (Lite) version 6.0. Since this version wrong S/N or wrong user code will not start Clarity at all.

Since version 6.0 Clarity Demo is a standalone application. Functions of Clarity Demo remain unchanged. To upgrade from  demo to full version of Clarity, it is required to download full version from www.dataapex.com in the download section or obtain it from your local distributor.

If you only see the red stripe inscription "DEMO - WRONG S/N" or "DEMO - Wrong User Code" in the main Clarity window (prior to 6.0). See Red error label "DEMO - WRONG S/N" or "DEMO - Wrong User Code" in Clarity window, what does it mean?.

It is possible to configure and control up to 4 independent instruments (GC or HPLC) on one Clarity data station. Only one Clarity station can run on one PC.

However, please consider such configuration may not be practical in cases when all 4 instruments should be running simultaneously with short analyses (less than 20 minutes) due to the following issues:

• Method sending for some GC and HPLC systems is a lengthy operation and during this time Clarity may not be operable.
• During chromatogram processing, after the end of acquisition, Clarity may again not respond for some time.
• If there is more than one operator there may be struggle for keyboard control.
• The demands for processing time/memory may exceed the available resources on weak computers.

Please note there may be also specific limitations given by the controlled instrument (for example only one Agilent 1100 system using HP-IB communication or only one Shimadzu LC-10/20 system may be controlled on Clarity station) due to the communication protocol constraints.

Normally drivers for MultiCOM are installed without any problems when FULL installation of Clarity is performed. Nevertheless under MS Windows 8.1 drivers for the MultiCOM may not be installed properly. In such case following error appears: "Windows found driver for your device but encountered an error while attempting to install it. The system cannot find the path specified."

There are two ways to rectify this situation:

1. Reinstall the drivers manually. The process is described in the Troubleshooting section of MultiCOM Manual.
2. If the first solution does not work then the problem may be on the computer side. Possible way to solve this issue is to restore the system, perform updates and uninstall some of the ‘bonus’ (spyware, online help utilities, etc.) software. After that reinstall Clarity with FULL installation option and connect MultiCOM again.

Dani Master GC

In case your Master GC has an older firmware which supports an older version of Clarity than you have installed it is possible to use older drivers in newer Clarity (up to 8.1). Proceed as follows:

• Copy CswDaniSpAMasterGC.dll and MasterGCControl.dll from the previous Clarity version and rewrite them in your current Clarity installation directory.

It is not possible with Clarity version 8.2 and newer because of our internal policy.

For firmware updates please contact Dani Analitica S.r.l. at service@danispa.it.

Dani Master DHS

Dani Master SHS

Yes, Clarity natively support the work with multiple ISTDs from version 5.0. Up to 10 internal standards are supported since Clarity version 8.0.

The customer can connect up to 4 instruments (chromatographs) with the Clarity Chromatography Station on one PC. Up to 32 detectors (channels) on 1 instrument. PCs usually have 3-4 PCI slots. The user can also combine PCI A/D cards with the U-PAD/U-PAD2/Colibrick (USB) and Net-PAD converters.

If you installed Clarity 5.0.2.612, you may experience a stability issue when using Knauer PDA detector. Also, the existing methods are not compatible with the driver in 5.0.2.612 and will display an error.

In case you need to keep the installation of Clarity 5.0.2.612, please download and install the provided hotfix, then start Clarity and create new PDA method in the Instrument window.

In case you are able to update Clarity, please download and install Clarity 5.0.5 or later.

In Clarity version 5.0.0 - 5.0.2 it is not possible to set Use ISTD function in standard groups in the Calibration. It may cause an error when opening chromatograms which contains standard groups calculated by an internal standard.

This is fixed since Clarity 5.0.3, please download latest version from our Download center.

Clarity is fully supported on Windows 8.1 and 10. Windows 8 is not supported. For more details see Clarity compatible table on https://www.dataapex.com/product.php?id=clarity-std-compatibility.php

You can upgrade on the latest Clarity for free on our Download Center.

If you have an anti-virus software which scans your web communication and downloads for viruses, it may hangs the download in your web browser at the end of the download process. The length of the delay depends on the size of the file and it may appear in Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer, etc.

There may be a bug in your Windows and Microsoft has described it in a knowledge base article: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2789397. Please try to install the provided hot-fix.

You can also turn off the web scanner (web protection) in your anti-virus SW for as short time as the length of download time of the Clarity Installation.

RkUSB HW keys may not work properly on computers with "AMD USB Audio Driver Filter" installed.  It is recommended to check the driver details of RkUSB in Device Manager. In case a "usbfilter.sys" is listed, uninstall "AMD USB Audio Driver Filter" driver from Windows using the "Add or Remove Programs" function in Windows. For more details see support pages of your PC's manufacturer.

State of Clarity Instrument can be read by other software using built-in DDE server. For more information, please see: D070-DDE-Synchronisation.pdf.

Reinstall Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable Package:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=5555 for 32-bit OS.
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=14632 for 64-bit OS.

After turning off the application, Clarity.exe is still visible in the Task Manager and after a next launch of Clarity there is error message issued: "Clarity is already running!" This problem is caused by HP ProtectTools suite, installed on most new Hewlett-Packard computers. The particular file responsible for this behavior is DPAgent.exe, purposed for controlling the fingerprint scanner.
The easiest solution of the problem is to rename this file, thus it will be not automatically launched after startup of the computer. Standard location of the file is C\:Program Files (x86)\Hewlett-PackardHP Protect\Tools Security Manager\Bin\DPAgent.exe, however it may differ slightly on different versions of the suite. For fixing the problem, the file has to be renamed (we recommend to rename it to DPAgent.bak.exe, thus it can be easily renamed back when necessary).
In case you need to use the fingerprint scanner, it is also possible to terminate this file only when you intend to launch Clarity datastation. It can be made manually (using Task Manager) or facilitated by some utility able to kill a process running on the computer.

This file collides with other programs too: http://www.file.net/process/dpagent.exe.html

You can open the chromatogram on Clarity Instrument which is in Offline mode. In Clarity - System Configuration, increase the Number of Instruments option in the top right part of the window. Even if you have license for one Clarity Instrument, you can use other Clarity Instruments without measuring data from detectors or controlling your instruments. This can be helpful for evaluating chromatograms without turning on the instruments in your lab or if you use Clarity for example at home - see FAQ about running Clarity on multiple computers using one HW key.

Yes, it is. Simply take your HW key and plug it in another PC. You can install Clarity (Lite, Offline) on as many PC as you like using the same user code. Clarity will work properly on the one PC with the HW key connected. Please refer to FAQ Evaluating a chromatogram without starting the communication with instruments.
Clarity Demo doesn't require a HW key for its operation therefore it is possible to have more Clarity Demo installations on a single PC.

If you add a User Column both to the Summary and Result Table containing the same formula, often you cannot get the same results. In Summary Table you cannot use the First, Last, etc. functions from Special Values. For example "[Reten. Time]first/[Reten. Time]" will not work here. But you can use figures working with the compound itself, for example "[End Time]-[Start Time]".

In case of calibrated groups, the columns Amount and Amount [%] sum all calibrated groups plus all peaks that are not part of any group.

Prepare a batch file (clarity.bat) to perform the required tasks using the command line parameters

The batch should contain the following line (example):
version up to 6.2 - start C:\Clarity_Demo_304\Clarity.exe i=2 u="Administrator" psw="" seq=C:\Clarity_Demo_304\FCFC3.seq run_seq=2

version since 7.0 - start C:\Clarity_Demo_304\Bin\Clarity.exe i=2 u="Administrator" psw="" seq=C:\Clarity_Demo_304\FCFC3.seq run_seq=2

Explanations:

• start C:\Clarity.exe will start the Clarity in specified directory
• i=2 will open the desired instrument (2)
• u="Administrator" psw="" will open it as a specified user with specified password (essential, otherwise it stay waiting for this input)
• seq=C:\Clarity_Demo_304FCFC3.seq specifies the sequence to run
• run_seq=2 starts the sequence on instrument 2

Prepare the sequence to be started.

The sequence can contain just one line with the Start up method, or some standards/samples can be defined in the following rows. In the start up method, define to switch the lamp on and flush the system as required to equilibrate.

Use the Task Scheduler

Set the clarity.bat to be started at defined time and date. In Windows 7 and later you may find "Task Scheduler" after pressing the Windows Key on your keyboard. Use the advanced properties of the task to fine tune the scheduling.

Set the task to be started when you are logged on only and when leaving the PC, do not log yourself off. Remember, there must not run Windows Update which may log you out and restart the PC.

When in Overlay mode one of Move, Scale or 3D View commands is used, all the information about retention times, height and area of peaks are not displayed (as there will be mismatch between result table and the displayed chromatogram). Chromatogram modified by this types of commands could be saved using the Chromatogram - Overlay - Mathematics - Copy command and evaluated or the axes Offset and Scale need to be restored to original values.

FFT filter is suitable for signals with a high noise and small peaks.

Warning: For chromatograms with high signal/noise ratio (over 500) visible artefacts can be created at the base of narrow peaks.

Yes, you can. There are two possible intentions of using the sequence table for starting the acquisition:

1. Using sequence for manual injections

You could define parameters for a series of injections in advance in a sequence table and then inject them one by one manually. In such case start must be external (individual runs in sequence cannot be started from Clarity).

2. Using sequence for automatic injections without an autosampler

In such case sequence must be in the active mode (set through Sequence Options dialog). Sequence sends a command to the sampler (over serial line or by digital output) and waits for the start signal from the detector (again over the communication line or digital input). Without autosampler it is possible to start the acquisition by using the digital input and output specified in Ext. Start Dig. Input and Ready Dig. Output section of the System Configuration dialog.

How to set digital input and output in order to start the sequence without autosampler?

• In case the injection is performed by some controlled valve or instrument (typically EAS analyzers) not supporting the Injection marker by digital output, the common solution when using DataApex A/D board is to interconnect the digital output set for Ready Out signal directly to the digital input set for Start In command. The digital input on the instrument starting the next run will be connected in parallel. With controlled valve, the injection is then performed during the actual run by switching the valve (or valves) from Clarity Event Table.

Events must be set in the Event Table accessible from Method Setup dialog.

• In case no A/D board is used and the devices are not offering those digital inputs and outputs (for example with Agilent GC 5890), the suggested workaround will be to use the DataApex Virtual Digital Input Output Loop (auxiliary device, requires A24 LC or A23 GC Control license) to simulate the input/output needed - (those are virtually interconnected).

For more detail info refer also to Clarity Getting Started manual, chap. 6.

Yes, but the sequence allows the chromatograms to be stored only in the subdirectories of current project directory. The path will be specified in the File Name column as a relative path only, i.e for C:\Clarity\DataFiles\Work1\Data\MyProject\ChromatogramName you have to set the filename as MyProject\ChromatogramName.

This limitation is necessary to allow the opening chromatograms from sequence and to perform complete reprocess of the sequence from the Batch dialog accessible using the Analysis - Batch command from the Instrument window.

Cannot find driver file

• When Clarity cannot find the device's kernel driver (*.sys file). Try to reinstall the drivers. Follow instructions in the Troubleshooting section how to reinstall the device of the respective hardware's manual.
• When  the device is configured in Clarity but it cannot be found it is inserted to the mainboard's PCI port. Check, whether the card is correctly inserted. Also the card can be nonfunctional.

Cannot load device driver

• Probably the card (Int7, Int9, ...) isn't located in the PC or is incorrectly inserted into the PCI port.

Cannot find first board

• One of the A/D cards (Int7, Int9, ...) A/D converters didn't pass the test. The card is probably broken.

Cannot find second board

• You tried to add to Clarity Configuration second Int7/Int9 board, but in your PC is located only one card. If you have two cards, check, whether they are both correctly inserted into the PCI port.

Board malfunction

• The A/D card in the PC is inserted correctly, but it didn't pass the test of the device's A/D converters chips. Probably the card is broken or the PC is overloaded by other programs activity.

Incompatible device driver

• Very rare situation, when there is incompatibility in the device's kernel driver (.sys file) and the Clarity module (.dll file). Follow instructions in the Troubleshooting section how to reinstall the device of the respective hardware's manual.

UPAD device malfunction, NetPAD device malfunction

• When connected to the PC, the U-PAD or U-PAD2 didn't pass the test of it's A/D converters. Probably the card is broken or the PC is overloaded by other programs activity.

LAN communication

General issues

For LAN communication, one of the 1100/1200 modules must be equipped with a LAN communication card inserted in the MIO slot on the back side of the module (do not mistake it for the CAN connectors used for the internal system communication, using the same RJ45 connectors).

Original board supported by Agilent is a G1369A LAN Interface described in Agilent G1369A LAN Interface User Manual (Agilent P/N G1369-90000).

In case you want to use J4100A JetDirect card (alternative to HP JetDirect Print Servers 600N/400N/500X/300X) we don't support it and don't guarantee the functionality.

Connecting single PC directly with 1100/1200 system

In case you need to connect the PC directly with the 1100/1200 system using LAN card, see the chapter 3.3.4 Single PC & network connection in the Agilent 1100 manual.

GPIB Communication

Notice that GPIB communication is no longer supported since Windows 7.

Communication using GP-IB card could not be established

When the communication with the Agilent 1100/1200 system by the GP-IB card could not be established, even if all the parameters are set correctly and the Agilent IO Libraries report the module as connected on the used ID address, then it is necessary to check the Agilent IO Libraries.

The Agilent IO Libraries must be closed (Use the Exit command) before the communication with Clarity can be established.

During the installation of the Agilent IO Libraries, they are added to the programs to be started automaticaly at the system start. It is necessary to remove them from the  Windows Start menu, Programs, Startup group because they could not run simultaneously with Clarity.

• In Windows XP, Vista and 7 - remove them from the  Windows Start menu, Programs (All Programs), Startup group.
• In Windows 8 and 10 - start the Task Manager (display more details in the window) and locate the Start-up tab. Disable them.

After the communication was lost, it could not be reestablished

When using the GP-IB USB converter, it may be necessary to disconnect the converter from PC to clear the communication buffers. As the USB can be powered even during computer shutdown, the shutdown and restart may not help.

Yes, you can. Clarity supports SimDis Expert® 9 from Separation Systems. Clarity can be configured to automatically open and process measured chromatograms in SimDis Expert. For more details see the datasheet Using SIMDIS Expert® 9 (Separation Systems) with Clarity.

Yes, it is possible. The function that does so is the same as for adding a new peak - Add Positive. Select the Add Positive function, choose the part of the unresolved peak which you want to split off and add the interval markers to the borders of the new peak. Both peaks will be separated by a vertical line now. Including the current peak's maximum in the interval would produce no result.

PDF Reports in Chinese requires two prerequisities:

• You have to install True Type font supporting Chinese signs on your system.
• You have to set this font to use in Clarity reports: Get to the Report Setup dialog from the place where you normally print from, e.g. from Chromatogram or Sequence window (menu File – Report Setup...) or from Single Analysis dialog (button Edit Report Style). Set the font on Page Setup tab.

Then the reports will be printed properly. There is no need to install the font on other computers, where the PDF Reports will be for viewed only.

This mostly happens on black and white printers which falsely inform Windows that they are color printers. In Report Setup window - Page Setup tab, check the Black and White Print option. Then all the printed text should be visible.

Most chromatography systems use a proprietary data format (the main reason is belief that it ensures data integrity for GLP-related requirements). To open and process such chromatograms in Clarity, they must be first exported from the original software into a suitable format. Most commonly used formats are AIA (.cdf files) or ASCII (.csv, *.txt, *.asc and other files). Clarity can import such files (only the chromatogram data, not integration method or result tables) and process them using the current instrument method.

Chemstation

• The export is available with full menus active in Data Analysis view (menu File, command Export file, AIA file....). Due to the way the Chemstation exports the files (they are always named signal01.cdf and stored in user named folders, batch export is not supported), processing is not very convenient and will be quite laborious for a large number of files.
• The export of DAD data is even more complicated if not impossible (you will have to export each wavelength separately and combine them to the format which can be imported to Clarity).

EZ Chrom

• The chromatograms can be exported during processing, in the Advanced Method Options, Export tab for option Chromatogram the AIA and ASCII formats can be selected.
• The ASCII  *.asc file format is supported by Clarity both for chromatograms and 3D data. AIA files can be used as well.

These problems may occur during the setup of a hardware (Colibrick, Int7, Int9, U-PAD2, ...) in the Clarity Configuration.

Error on setup - this error message means the problems on a low level, either with a kernel driver or hardware itself.

Can't create ... (device name) - this error message usually points out the problem with the control module library.

The *.dll file is either:

• not registered

• not compatible with the current cswext.dll

• registered in a different directory and thus using a different cswext.dll version than the Clarity.exe.

To solve this, uninstall the previous version of Clarity and then install Clarity again. Follow the chapter for reinstallation in the device's manual. Alternatively it is possible to register the corresponding *.dll file using the Windows\system32\resvr3.exe program.

Yes, Clarity can be connected to any LIMS using the import/export of text files. Results can be exported in various formats to the LIMS and the sample info can be imported from a TXT file into Clarity Sequence which you intend to process.

Please, see our white paper describing the Clarity cooperation with LIMS: clarity-lims.pdf.

This may be caused by incorrectly set Peak Width parameter (PW). Peak Width parameter affects two things:

• Peak detection algorithm, i.e. what will be considered as a peak, peak start and peak end position.
• Sample bunching, i.e. how many samples will be summarized as one data point. It can be imagined as a very simple signal filter which makes the signal smoother. The formula is that approximately 30 data points is necessary for peak detection. So for instance if you set PW=1 min and Sampling rate is 100 Hz, each series of 200 points will be displayed as one point (60*100/30). Default value (0,1 min) corresponds to sample rates around 10 Hz, for higher sample rates it should be decreased.

As a remedy check the Peak Width parameters in Method Setup dialog.

In case you can't find a toolbar button or command you can see, for example, in documentation, click the View/Settings - toolbars - Reset All menu item on Instrument window. All buttons will be reset to their default positions. You can find this function in most Clarity windows where the toolbar buttons are located.

Rarely, if you can't locate the main menu, press Alt-V to display the hidden menu.

For INT7 and INT9 cards full-height PCI slot is required, otherwise the card cannot be used with your PC. Mostly the problem occurs when you have some mini version of PC or slim case, etc. Also, ensure you are inserting the card into PCI slot, not to PCI Express. INT7 and INT9 does not work with the PCI Express slots.

For preparative purposes multiposition valves are frequently used as a simple fraction collector.

Knauer provides dedicated control modules for multiposition valve based fraction collectors, however, they are available solely in the ClarityChrom Prep OEM version.

To use valves for this purpose in Clarity, it is usually necessary to combine a two position (three way) valve to perform the Collect/Waste function and a multiposition valve to perform the Next vial function. Clarity Valve control modules also support the needed Next position command. Using the General Purpose Fraction Collector module (requires A24 LC control module)  and one of the controlled selection valves (Upchurch, Vici-Valco or Rheodyne MX II series), the fraction collector can be easily created.

In case the signal in Data Acquisition window and chromatogram is cut below 0 V, you probably unchecked the Bipolar option in the Setup dialog of DataApex's converter (Colibrick, INT9, U-PAD,...). To fix this, open the Setup dialog of respective converter and check the Bipolar option again, both positive and negative voltages will be measured.

Because the File Created info in the Windows Explorer or any other file manager program informs when the file was created in the File System and this can be different from data of acquisition (when the chromatogram was saved as new one, rewritten, etc.).

You can find the real acquisition date of chromatogram in:

• Chromatogram window - Measurement Conditions tab - Instrument subtab - Sample Identification box.
• Archive/ Restore window - Date column in the File List.
• Acquired label in the Print Report.

You may have incorrectly set-up the e-mail client (Outlook, Thunderbird, Eudora, The Bat!, ...) in Windows.

1. Ensure you have installed your favorite e-mail program.

Windows 7

2. Open Control Panel - Internet Options dialog - Programs tab.

3. Click the Set Programs button, then click Set your default programs link, select your e-mail client in the list and then click the Set this program as default button.

4. Try to send the report again, Clarity should now open new email window with attachments required for the report.

Windows 8 

2. Press the Windows key, search for "Default Programs", select the displayed item. Click the Set Your Default Programs link and select your e-mail client in the list and then click the Set this program as default button.

3. Try to send the report again, Clarity should now open new email window with attachments required for the report.

Windows 10

2. Press the Windows key, search for "Default app settings", select the displayed item. Find "Email" and click the icon bellow (probably "Choose a default") and select your e-mail client in the list.

3. Try to send the report again, Clarity should now open new email window with attachments required for the report.

When Send chromatogram by e-mail, Send Method by e-mail or Send Calibration by e-mail does not work, but Send Report by e-mail works fine - most probably the problem is in Microsoft Outlook Express, which cannot add locked files as attachment (they are currently open in Clarity). Try to use another Email program (MS Outlook, Thunderbird, The Bat!, Eudora, ...). This error was not found in Outlook Express in such case.

If you encounter the problem also with Send Report by e-mail function, refer to corresponding FAQ Send Report by E-mail does not perform any action.

General Clarity Limitations

• Installation to program files: In Windows Vista or 7, the folder Program files is protected, however, Clarity needs user access to the data and system files. It is not recommended to install Clarity there.
• Clarity must be at least version 3.0 for Windows Vista/7, 4.0.4 for Windows 8 and 6.2 for Windows 10.

DataApex Hardware

• U-PAD1 and CB20 board are not supported on 64 bit systems.
• INT9 does not work properly on some computers after waking PC up from sleep. It seems to work (no error message) but it gives no data. Solution - to disable and then enable INT9 in the Device Manager.

Control Modules and Tools

User Account Control (UAC) needs to be disabled during installation of some control modules (CTC PAL, Shimadzu LC systems)

To install the CTC PAL autosampler or Shimadzu LC-10/20 system it is necessary to disable the UAC (User Account Control) during installation, otherwise it will be unsuccessful. Similar problems were reported for installation of the Agilent 1100 system, again the UAC disabling helped.

Gilson pump control

Currently the GSIOC driver compatible with Windows Vista is not available, the control of Gilson pumps is thus not possible in this operating system.

Merck-Hitachi LaChrom Elite

Problems with detecting the LaChrom Elite system were observed on Windows Vista and Windows 7 - attributed to the Hitachi driver.

See also Table of compatible Windows OS, Clarity SW and our Hardware

• http://www.dataapex.com/product.php?id=clarity-std-compatibility.php.

Most probably you need appropriate new User Code (u/c) only. HW key keeps basic serial number XX-YYYYY (event. XX-YYYYYY) only and all information about valid version, number of instruments, extensions and control modules are part of User Code.

Only when upgrading from Clarity Offline to Clarity or Clarity Lite it is neccesary to replace the HW key by new one.

No, it is not possible. If you try to open another version of currently opened chromatogram, even if the Overlay mode is On, the current version will be replaced by required new one.

The window is divided by movable splitters, most probably you have moved accidentally the splitter to the window border. Try the command Show both from the View menu.

During installation on Windows 7 on some computers the driver pre-installation fails and when Clarity starts "Incompatible Device Driver" INT7/INT9 is reported. Similar situation may occur for example when the INT7 or INT9 board is inserted into PC before the Clarity and drivers are installed.

In such cases manual re-installation of the drivers may help. The procedure is described in detail in corresponding board manual:

• INT7
• INT9

Locate section Troubleshooting and chapter Manual Installation (chap. 5.3). Follow the instructions regarding your operating system.

The configuration files are the following:

• C:\Clarity\Clarity.cfg (up to 6.2) and C:\Clarity\Cfg\Clarity.cfg (since 7.0)
  This file stores, besides the hardware configuration information, also the information about the last user logged to a specific instrument and the custom instrument pictures used in the Main window.
• C:\Clarity\*.dsk (up to 6.2) and C:\Clarity\Cfg\*.dsk (since 7.0)
  This file stores the information about the last used project *.prj and the individual user preferences (windows configuration and layout, tables and graph preferences, user columns, etc.). These parameters are not linked to specific methods or projects. Custom instrument pictures are placed in the Images subfolder on the installation media. The new sequence and calibration files are created from the respective template files (Common folder), only when not found the defaults are used. Default Report styles are stored in the Common folder, each windows remembers the last used report style, this info is also stored in the user *.dsk file. Clarity.dsk file from the PGM subfolder on the installation media is copied during installation and used as a template for the *.dsk files of newly created users.
• C:\Clarity\Projects\*.prj (up to 6.2) and C:\Clarity\DataFiles\Projects\*.prj (since 7.0)
  This file stores the information about the project subdirectories (the project directory has the same name as the project *.prj file) and the last used method, sequence, SST method and chromatograms.
• C:\Clarity\Clarity.psw (up to 6.2) and C:\Clarity\Cfg\Clarity.psw (since 7.0)
  This file stores the list of users and their access rights.
• C:\Clarity\Clarity.sno (up to 6.2) and C:\Clarity\Cfg\Clarity.sno (since 7.0)
  This file stores the User Code.

Analog input cables for Dataapex A/D cards

Recommended maximum lenght is 10 m.

Up to 30 m were used in some cases, however some signal loss or interferences could not be exluded.

RS-232 serial communication cables

The maximum cable lenght depends mainly on the cable quality and a baud rate used. Fairly long cables can be used for baud rates 9600 or less, for 19200 baud a maximum of 15 m is recommended and the lenght will decrease rapidly with a baud rate used.

For more details on serial communication see:

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Serial_Programming:RS-232_Connections

USB cables

It is recommended not to exceed 3 m cable length.

LAN cables

The length will depend on the cable quality or if you connect using a switch, etc.

Yes, using the Snapshot button accessible from Data Acquisition, Analysis or Sequence windows. Remember, the snapshot chromatogram is automatically overwritten by the one from the finished analysis. To keep this snapshot, Save As under a new filename.

• Export Data... command exports Result and/or Summary Tables, chosen Method Parameters and Chromatogram's header eventually Chromatogram data into various file formats  (including MS Excel). These parameters can be set in the Export Data dialog. Use this function if you want to process the measured data/parameters from the chromatogram in database, spreadsheet or LIMS application.

• Export Chromatogram... command exports the measured chromatogram in TXT or AIA format. Use this function if you want to open and process the chromatogram itself in another Chromatography Datastation application.

If you use Clarity 2.7 and later, use Launch Manager - utility which is a part of the installation. See Clarity Help for more information.

If you use an older version of Clarity, the best option is to upgrade to the latest version.

Optionally you can start Clarity using different shortcuts with specific command line parameters for each configuration. Each configuration is stored in separate *.cfg file and Clarity command line parameter sets the name of the corresponding configuration file. See Clarity Help for more information. But remember this is what Launch Manager does, including other useful features.

There are a couple of differences between analogue and digital acquisition:

• In analogue way there is the following chain in modern detectors: analogue detector unit, detector A/D converter, detector processing unit, detector D/A converter, analogue cable, Clarity A/D converter (Colibrick, U-PAD2, INT9, etc.).
• The digital chain is much simpler: analogue detector unit, detector A/D converter, detector processing unit, digital cable (USB, RS232, etc.), Clarity Control Module.

You can see at least three source of problem in analogue way:

• Detector D/A converter
• Analogue cable
• Clarity A/D converter (Colibrick, U-PAD2, INT9, etc.)

So there might be a significant difference between analogue and digital signal quality. It depends on factors like:

• Quality of detector D/A converter (analog output resolution may be worse than digital).
• Length and quality of analogue cable.
• Proper cable connection (symmetrical, non-symmetrical).
• Absolute level of analogue signal (lower signal is more influenced by interferences from other laboratory devices).
• Proper A/D converted voltage range set (most typical problem is that a detector maximum signal is 10-100 mV only and Colibrick voltage range is set to 10 V. This leads to decrease of the voltage step resolution by 100-1000x!)
• Proper sample rate frequency set at all three converters, see FAQ How to set proper Sampling Rate?
• Proper peak width parameter, see FAQ How to set proper Peak Width parameter?

The Sample Rate needs to be set to provide enough points to adequately describe the peaks of interest. Recomended is at least 30 points per the narrowest peak width. The default value for DataApex A/D converters is 10 Hz. This is suitable for most HPLC and packed column GC applications, the capillary GC and CE applications may need higher sample rates.

Accordingly to Sampling Rate, the Global Peak Width parameter has to be also amended. See also FAQ How to set proper Peak Width parameter?.

There are two instruments = 2 time basis. The configuration is as follows:

• Clarity software for 1 instrument p/n C50
• Single instrument Add on p/n C55
• Dual channel A/D converter (Colibrick p/n U32)

See the Clarity configuration examples to learn more about the configuration options.

Yes, the total number of channels per one Instrument in Clarity is 32. In addition, if you have multiple A/D cards and U-PADs/Colibricks connected to PC, their channels can be combined variously on Clarity Instruments. The only limitation of maximum A/D cards and U-PADs/Colibricks depends on your PC's performance. See also examples of Clarity configurations.

When running Clarity on very slow PC or laptop, we can recommend some tips which can improve speed of Clarity in certain situations:
1) Set the appropriate treshold.
2) Set the appropriate frequency of data acquisition.
3) Turn off the unused tables in Clarity (Performance, SST).
4) Turn off the Overlay function during the Sequence.
5) Turn off the PostRun Printing.
6) In your antivirus SW, turn off the option "Check Files at Change", especially for files used by Clarity (*.raw and *.audit).

The minimum Clarity's hardware requirements can be found at Compatibility page. Very helpful is often to increase the memory in the PC (RAM) rather then improve processor (CPU) speed.

Yes. Normalized % calculation is available in Clarity since version 3.0. Use the NORM option in the Calculation tab of the Method Setup window. With this option set, Clarity automatically verifies:

• Sample Amount=0.
• All peaks in chromatogram are identified (calibrated).
• All peaks in calibration are also identified in the chromatogram.

In older versions of Clarity, use the Amount % column in the Chromatogram - Results table to get the Normalized % calculation. To get correct results, the user must ensure, that all peaks in the chromatogram are identified and calibrated.

Symptoms

U-PAD2 with Windows 2000 will crash computer, when disconnected during analysis

Cause

There is a bug in the SiLib.sys file (a driver from Silabs) causing a crash of a computer when the hardware is disconnected during an operation. This bug will be probrably not fixed at Silabs, so we recommend to use newer version of Windows (XP, 7, ...) where this problem doesn't occur.

It is neccesary to set same desktop file (*.dsk) for all user's User Accounts.

How to:

1. Go to the main Clarity window, use System - User Accounts menu command.
2. Select the user with the desktop file already created and prepared.
3. Copy a filename from the Desktop File field to all other users:
   
   a) Select another user from User List.
   b) Paste the filename to the Desktop File field.
4. Repeat the steps 3a) and 3b) for all users in the list.

Agilent & HP Chemstation requires for import AIA files which are integrated (must have at least one integrated peak otherwise the import will not be performed), but not calibrated (set calculation to UNCAL before export, otherwise some of the released Chemstation versions may crash during import of such a file).

The Event Table, especially the Output column, may be corrupted after changes in the instruments' configuration such as changes of detector's name, order of assigned detectors, etc. or after changes in PC's hardware. If this happens, it is necessary to adjust the Event Table manually.

If you have an instrument with multiple detectors, they need to be configured on one Clarity Instrument only. That means they must be started at one time and they will share common time base. Integration parameters are to be set separately for every detector.

The SST (System Suitability Test) module is dedicated to calculating of statistical parameters. This module is integrated in the Chromatogram window. This module must need to be purchased additionaly and is available as part number (p/n) A22. (https://www.dataapex.com/product.php?id=extensions-sst.php)

Find out what instruments (detectors, autosamplers, ...) are you using in your laboratory and what do you want to connect to Clarity. Contact one of our distributors or email us directly to sales@dataapex.com.

Our current Colibrick A/D converters can acquire data at the maximum frequency 400 Hz, that means 400 samples per second. This frequency can be set up in Method Setup dialog.

The older INT9, INT7, U-PAD2 and U-PAD1 A/D converters can acquire data at the maximum frequency according to below table.

When installing Clarity version 2.5 on a PC with Windows Vista, where Clarity older than version 2.4.4.124 was previously installed, follow these steps:

1. Remove your HW key (Rockey or Sentinel).
2. In case of Rockey key, manually delete files rockey4.sys and rockey4usb.sys from the SYSTEM32DRIVERS subdirectory of your main Windows directory.
3. Restart your computer.
4. Uninstall the driver using the InstDrv.exe (in case of Rockey) program found in the HW_DRIVERSROCKEY subdirectory or Sentinel Protection Installer 7.3.2.exe (in case of Sentinel) program found in the HW_DRIVERSSENTINEL subdirectory on your Clarity installation media.
5. Restart your computer.
6. Install the drivers by the same program (InstDrv.exe or Sentinel Protection Installer 7.3.2.exe, respectively).
7. Insert the HW key.

If you won’t follow these instructions, the crash of the system may happen. This is caused by persisting versions of Vista-incompatible Sentinel or Rockey drivers. To remedy possible problems, re-install the drivers according to the instructions given above.
Also, crash of Windows Vista may occur when the Rockey HW key is removed after an older version of Clarity was replaced by version 2.5. Again, in order to repair the trouble caused, do not insert the Rockey HW key back to the system and re-install the drivers as shown above.

If this will not help, contact our technical support.

There is known bug regarding the Windows XP servis pack 2 incompatibility with the earlier version of U-PAD driver, leading to BSOD (Blue Screen Of Death) when starting Clarity.

There are two possible remedies:

a) update Clarity software

• Download Clarity Full version
• If you have Clarity 2.3 and older - download the latest 2.3.x version from CLARITY PREVIOUS FULL VERSIONS section
  (update from this version to Clarity 2.4 and later would require to purchase HW Key (p/n C550) for manipulation fee.
• If you have Clarity 2.4. and later - download the latest available version from CLARITY FULL VERSIONS section.
• Disconnect the U-PAD before installing the update.

The uninstallation of earlier version is also strongly recommended - use the Remove Clarity command from the Windows Start menu, Programs, Clarity program Group. This will remove the program components only, leaving your configuration and datafiles intact.

b) update only the U-PAD driver

• Download the updated U-PAD driver from Downloads - Others section
• Overwrite the existing cswupad.sys file in windowssystem32drivers directory with the downloaded file.

This happens usually when upgrading Clarity from earlier version. The IQ program checks all registered files and in case they are no more used in the new version, they will cause the check to fail. However, the station will usually function correctly.

To get Passed for IQ result, it is necessary to:

1. Remove the previous Clarity installation using the Uninstall Clarity command from the Windows Start menu - All Programs - Clarity program group.
2. In case you can still see some *.dll files in C:\Clarity (up to 6.2) or C:\Clarity\Bin (since 7.0) directory, delete them manually.
3. Install Clarity again.

The Uninstall Clarity command will remove the program files only, leaving the configuration and data intact.

Clarity EVAL was renamed to Clarity Offline. It is because users often misinterpreted Clarity EVAL for a demo version of Clarity software. Since it is a full featured product intended for working with data and preparing methods without the possibility to acquire data, the name "Clarity Offline" better reflects its purpose.

It is not possible to use them simultaneously. However, it is possible to install both versions on the same computer and start them by a start_clarity.bat file. This bat file will re-register the dynamically linked libraries to the proper version.
You can download the Clarity-multiple-instances-on-a-single-computer.zip file with the start_clarity.bat and detailed description on how to use it.

N/A means not available. Result table will display this when the computation does not make sense. For example if a calibration curve does not pass through zero, it can produce negative amount for given response, this is of course nonsense. Correcting the calibration curve fit will most probably fix this problem.

This problem applies generally to all control modules. Some devices contain parts "subdevices", such as signals in FLD, that cannot be used on two independent chromatography sets at once (two independent timebases). Usually it is not possible technically. The most recent control modules will show a warning during the configuration procedure when you attempt to split indivisible device between multiple Clarity Instruments.

Yes, it can, however the philosophy of use is slightly different. The peak areas belonging to a selected group of peaks are summed and the group can be named and calibrated as a single compound. Please refer to the corresponding parts of Reference and User guides. Especially in the calculation of Result table Total line and Amount % column there are some potential problems, if the calculation procedure is not understood properly.

Up to version 6.2 the injection volume used in the software is always in ml and cannot be changed with the exception of Sequence table.

Since Clarity version 7.0 the Basic, Auxiliary Signal and X-Axis units can be changed. To invoke Units Setup click System - Units Setup - Instrument 1...

The overlay (menu File, command Overlay mode) must be On to display several chromatograms simultaneously. The printing of chromatograms in overlay is governed by the options "Tilled by" selected in the Report setup, section Chromatogram. The options are Signals (each signal will be printed in separate box), Chromatogram (signals from one chromatogram only are overlaid, each chromatogram is printed in separate box), Not tilled (the overlayed chromatograms are printed as seen on screen).

A new project can be created (opened, changed,...) only in the current instrument directory. However, an arbitrary directory can be set for each instrument in the main Clarity window using the System - Directories command.

The corresponding instrument displays only the simulated curve or has a so-called DEMO driver attached instead of the data acquisition driver. Meaning that the signal is not real but simulated from a data file. Reason for the watermark "Simulated" could be one of the following:

• Either you have a demo detector allocated on that instrument. Check your configuration, remove the demo detector and allocate an A/D converter.
• You migh have installed Clarity Demo version which does not allow real time acquisition. Navigate to our download section and download a full version. Note that you will need to insert a correct User code, otherwise Clarity will not start up.

Yes, for this upgrade the part number (p/n) C540 is available.

Yes, we provide all Clarity updates free of charge. You just need to be registered before downloading. The latest version of our software is available from our web page in the download section. Users can also automatically update SW directly from their Clarity station using the Check for updates... command in Help menu.

Yes, they can load CSW32 files into Clarity. The Save command automatically converts CSW32 data to the new “Clarity format”. However, because of the new multi-detector measurement feature, users will need to edit the CSW32 method/calibration files in case he/she has an instrument with more than 1 detector. CSW32 uses a separate method for every detector. Clarity uses one method for the entire Instrument with up to four detectors.
For further details please refer to “Clarity vs. CSW32 Guide”.

Yes, they can load CSW32 files into Clarity. The Save command automatically converts CSW32 data to the new “Clarity format". However, because of the new multi-detector measurement feature, users will need to edit the CSW32 method/calibration files in case he/she has an instrument with more than 1 detector. CSW32 uses a separate method for every detector. Clarity uses one method for the entire Instrument with up to four detectors.
For further details please refer to “Clarity vs. CSW32 Guide”.