How to run your method

Introduction	Follow the instructions in this section if you want to start a separation run based on the method you created and saved in the previous chapter. Also use this procedure if you want to run other methods.

Connect to the system

Before you can start a run, you must connect to the system. Open the System Control window and look at the Connection panel in the Run Data section. If you are not connected the panel will show the text NO. Once you are connected the text changes to YES. Refer to the User Reference Manual if your system is not connected.

Prepare the system	After the system is connected it must be prepared. Verify that this already has been done or refer to your system documentation for the correct procedure.

How to start a method run

You initiate the method run in a series of dialog boxes in the Run Setup in the System Control module. The Start Protocol for the method decides which pages you need to fill in. The steps in the table below is an example of a Run Setup sequence. When you are finished in one dialog box you click Next to proceed.

Step	Action
1	Select the File:Run menu command or click the Run toolbar icon.
2	The Run Setup opens. Select a method and click OK.
3	If your method run involves a fraction collector, i.e. Frac-950, the first step is usually the setup dialog box. See "How to set up Frac-950" below.
4	The Variables dialog box opens next. Verify and fine tune your method before you proceed.
5	In the Notes dialog box some information can already be present. Click the Start Notes tab and add your own comments.
6	In the Questions dialog box some questions may be mandatory and must be answered before you can start.
7	In Evaluation Procedures you select the automated operations you want the system to perform after the UNICORN run. Select Print_Chromatogram for an automatic print-out after the run.
8	The Method Information page is a summary of information about the run. Click Next to proceed to name your result file and define where it should be stored.

How to set up Frac-950

In the Frac-950 setup dialog box you can define the order of fractionation and set up the last tube. The system will be paused when the last tube is reached and the fractionation will stop.

The illustration below shows the Frac-950 setup dialog box:

How to name the result file

The final step before starting is to name your result file and define where it should be stored. The default file name is defined in the Result Name page of the Run Setup. By default the result file name will either be the same name as the method, the date of the run or a pre-defined name. The name is followed by a three-digit sequence number starting with 001. You can change this name and select a new directory by clicking Browse.

You can also select to have the software add a unique identifier to the file name.

How to start the method run	Click the START button in the Result Name dialog box. This will initiate the method run and you can follow its progress in the System Control module.

2005-06-15