How to install CU-900 PCI

When to use CU-900 PCI

The CU-900 PCI expansion card is used to connect chromatography or synthesis instruments to a PC. CU-900 PCI can be used together with all the ÄKTA instruments except ÄKTAprime and ÄKTAxpress.

Note: The instruments that can be used with CU-900 PCI can also be used with the CU-950. See How to install CU-950 for information on how to install CU-950.
Instrument capacity

A maximum of four instruments (liquid handling modules) can be connected to one PC, as specified by the rules below:

  • One instrument can be connected to each CU-900 PCI card.

  • UNICORN supports up to four CU-900 PCI cards on one PC.

How to install the PCI card

The table below describes the hardware installation, i.e. how to install the CU-900 PCI card in an empty PCI slot in a PC.

Step

Action

1

  • Turn off the power to the PC.

  • Remove the power cable from the mains socket.

  • Open the PC cover. See the PC documentation if you are not sure how to do this.

3

Take the expansion card out of the anti-static bag.

Handle with care

Handle the card by its edges and avoid touching the electronic components as far as possible; discharges of static electricity can permanently damage electronic components on the card. If you are working in a room where static electricity tends to build up, discharge any electricity from your body by touching an earthed metal surface (for example a water tap or radiator) before handling the card.

4

Note: The number of the selected CU must be entered in the UNICORN software installation so that UNICORN can find the system when started.

5

Locate an empty PCI slot.

  • Install the expansion card in the empty PCI slot.

  • Close the cover of the PC.

6

Connect the card to the liquid handling module CU connector using the communication cable provided.

How to locate the DIP switch

The CU is set with a DIP switch. Look at your expansion card and compare it with the figure below. The circle in the figure indicates where the DIP switch is located on the expansion card:

How to determine which CU is selected

The figure below describes which DIP switch setting corresponds to which selected CU:

Make a note of which CU is selected on the expansion card and save the note for future use. When you install the UNICORN software and the setup program asks for the card settings, type the number of the selected CU. See also "How to verify the CU setting of the expansion card".

How to verify the CU setting of the expansion card

In the Controller Settings dialog box you can verify the CU (Control Unit) setting of an expansion card.

  • Choose Administration:Controller Settings in the UNICORN Manager.

Result: The Controller Settings dialog box is displayed.

How to install the drivers

The table below describes how to install the CU-900 PCI drivers when the hardware (the PCI card) has been installed.

Step

Action

1

  • Start and log on to the PC.

    Result: If this is the first time you start the PC after the hardware installation, the Found New Hardware Wizard should start.

  • Select the option Install the software automatically.

  • Click the Next button.

2

  • Select Search for the best driver in these locations.

  • Select only Include this location in the search.

  • Insert the UNICORN CD into the CD-ROM drive of the PC.

  • Click the Browse button and locate the folder \\Drivers\Cu900pci\.

  • Click the Next button.

    Result: The necessary files are copied to the hard disk.

Note: In Windows XP, a warning may be displayed saying that the drivers are not signed. Just choose the option to install anyway.

3

The Completing the Found New Hardware Wizard screen is displayed,

  • Click the Finish button to complete the installation.

2005-06-15