Hello everyone,
We have a Waters Micromass QTof Micro system, which is probably about 20 years old, and we're trying to resurrect it.
Currently, it looks like the pump, voltage controls, ESI source etc. work fine. The communication between MassLynx and the MS is also OK and we can adjust all of the settings.
However, when we try to "tune" a compound, we are unable to see any MS spectra. Basically, there is no signal shown on the display, it's just a blank spectrum.
I believe, the detector is not faulty, as we are able to increase and decrease the detector voltage.
What do you think might be going wrong?
Does someone in your institute have a picoamperemeter? You could plug it into one of the control voltages of either the last focusing electrode before or the first focussing electrode after the ToF (assuming there is one). Since it's an old instrument, that might be accessible, newer machines are a lot more shielded.
Then you should be able to see an ion current. ESI doesn't generate giant amplitudes and after the ToF it will be even less and, but it should be enough to see if anything is flying.
Note: if you've never done such a thing, ask an electrician or engineer to join you. The detector isn't the only high voltage in there and I don't want to be responsible for an electric shock.
Dear Bora Onat,
we also had this problem with this system.
It did not deliver any signals although all parameters could be set. We contacted the service provider, who told us that the detector plate was probably defective. Since we had purchased a new Agilent Q-ToF in the meantime, we decided not to repair it.
You have to ask yourself whether it is still worth repairing the device given its age, or whether it is time for something new.
I am sorry not to give you a better answer.
Many greetings and stay healthy
Joachim Horst
The service said that the detector plate was defective. The electronics would be fine. We decided against the repair, because on the one hand we had the new Q-ToF, which shows a much better performance, on the other hand the cost would have been about 7000 €. that was too expensive for us with a > 10 year old instrument.
If you have a detector plate, I would also try to exchange it. With a little luck, the system will then work again.
Anyway, I wish you success and good progress with your work.
If your instrument can no longer be moved to work, my recommendation would be to purchase the Agilent 6530 Q-Tof, which has been in continuous use in our Lab for 5 years without any problem processing the samples.
Many greetings and stay healthy
Joachim
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