Users of Isodat NT,

If you are like me, you've run into situations where the software crashes
and cannot be restarted. If you are lucky, you have a recent backup in the
version handler, but a restore doesn't always fix the problem (and to make
matters worse, the act of using the version handler to create a backup in
the first place can itself cause a crash!).

This leaves us with the ultimate option of reinstalling the software from
the CD, which can take a while if you need to set up the configuration,
define your gases, perform a mass calibration and rebuild your now useless
methods.

After a few frustrating iterations through this process, I have a much
improved reinstall method that can be performed with minimal time and effort.

1. Copy the entire contents of the finnigan subdirectory to a backup
location (not with the version handler).
2. Put the IsodatNT cd in the drive, and start the software installation.
3. When prompted, DO NOT delete the existing version of Isodat. This will
leave all your runs, methods, and sequences right where they need to be.
4. Go to their website to get the latest update (and patch for the update!).
5. All that is left is to restore all of the configuration files specific
to your instrument: from the backup you made in step 1, copy all of the
files (mostly .iso files, and don't bother with the subdirectories in
there) from finnigan\isodatnt\global\databases back to the fresh install.
Everything should be back to normal.

I hope this helps out others who might have to deal with this. I also hope
that a better fix is on the way from Finnigan....

Paul Eby


[log in to unmask]
Biogeochemistry Lab (E-Hut, room 102)
School of Earth and Ocean Science
University of Victoria

PO Box 3055
Victoria, B.C.
Canada
V8W 3P6

phone: 250-721-6183
fax:   250-472-4620



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