Bio-rad MRC 1000 confocal

[ollun]

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Dear colleagues,

we have old Bio-rad MRC 1000 confocal system. We faced with repetitive
problem while image acquisition "Hardware is not sending any image, please
stop scan and retry scanning". Laser is working, all mechanics are working
and adjustable using LaserSharp2000 soft, PMTs seems to work, LTD is
working. Scan head is scanning, filters are changing upon request. However,
we get all the time  "Hardware is not sending any image, please stop scan
and retry scanning".

Could you suggest something? What could be a source of problem?
Thanks in advance.
Regards,
Oleg Lunov

[Sergey Tauger]

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Hi Oleg

As far as I know LaserSharp2000 requires WinNT 4.0 (pre Win2000). I didn't google the
brochure but it seems that MRC-1000 talks to PC via special controller card, ISA or PCI,
with no other wires. Am I right?

Possible reasons of error:
1. If emulation used - wrong emulation, refer to your virtualization software manual
2. If host OS is proper - check memory using memcheck. It is possible that the image
cannot be transferred to memory that triggers "Image not found" error code
3. Onboard controller is dead. If the device has a TTL output that is triggered after image
acquisition, measure voltage on it to make sure image is captured or image acquisition is
started.
4. Expansion card is dead. Contact Bio-Rad support. May they can tell how to sniff data
transfer to make sure transfer really happens..
5. Something wrong with drivers. Driver problems can trigger mysterious problems
6. Too many expansion cards are used simultaneously. That can rarely be a problem for
486 or Pentium I based computer.

Best,
Sergey Tauger

[ollun]

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Hi Sergey,

Thanks for response.

We have a PCI control board for the MRC-1000, which is called the SCAN/VIS
board pair as there are two boards, 1 to control the scanning and 1 to
collect the signal. The most probable reason that the VIS part of the
control board is dead but we have no ideas how to check it.

Best,
Oleg

[Sergey Tauger]

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Oleg,

you have two options:

1. Contact BioRad or Zeiss. There are rumors that Zeiss inherited tech support for old MSC.
You lose nothing but there is a little chance they can help you with diagnostics and in-place
repaire. There was a talk several years ago on the topic
http://confocal-microscopy-list.588098.n2.nabble.com/Biorad-MRC1024-MRC600-Scan-and-
Vis-boards-td7578537.html
It seems you cannot purchase new boards from the brand.

2. Buy the same confocal on ebay/labx. I googled a open lot for less than $2000

Next, I have some experience in military interrogation (it really helps in exams) but could
you please post the configuration of the PC that is connected to the microscope?

Best,
Sergey

[Guy Cox-2]

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Sounds like the cable connecting the scanhead to the framestore.  That's the cheapest possibility, anyway!  Check that for continuity and if all seems OK then put a scope on the output of the scanhead and see if the relevant signals are there, and then if they are there at the other end of the cable.  Sorry, I don't know the pinouts but someone will, I'm sure, if it's not in the manual.  If all seems ok then it's probably  the framestore board.   Getting a replacement might be tricky.

There must be many labs with these systems in mothballs, and I suggest that if you want to keep yours running you try to get hold of one.

                                                            Guy

Guy Cox, Honorary Associate Professor
School of Medical Sciences

Australian Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis,
Madsen, F09, University of Sydney, NSW 2006

-----Original Message-----
From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Oleg Lunov
Sent: Thursday, 2 June 2016 3:09 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Bio-rad MRC 1000 confocal

*****
To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
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*****

Dear colleagues,

we have old Bio-rad MRC 1000 confocal system. We faced with repetitive problem while image acquisition "Hardware is not sending any image, please stop scan and retry scanning". Laser is working, all mechanics are working and adjustable using LaserSharp2000 soft, PMTs seems to work, LTD is working. Scan head is scanning, filters are changing upon request. However, we get all the time  "Hardware is not sending any image, please stop scan and retry scanning".

Could you suggest something? What could be a source of problem?
Thanks in advance.
Regards,
Oleg Lunov

[Joseph Bruton]

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Dear Oleg,

You could try Dino Sharma who has helped us a lot with our old BioRad ( 1996 and still running).

He operates a small company in England and below are his email and phone contacts.

Technical Support: [hidden email]
Tel: [phone]

Good luck,

Joseph Bruton

-----Original Message-----
From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Oleg Lunov
Sent: 01 June 2016 20:45
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: Bio-rad MRC 1000 confocal

*****
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Hi Sergey,

Thanks for response.

We have a PCI control board for the MRC-1000, which is called the SCAN/VIS board pair as there are two boards, 1 to control the scanning and 1 to collect the signal. The most probable reason that the VIS part of the control board is dead but we have no ideas how to check it.

Best,
Oleg

[Glen MacDonald-2]

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Dear Oleg,
Our MRC-1000/1024 UV system gave error messages every few months that were resolved by reseating all cards and cables in the controller.  I’ve got the mothballed system to get rid of, but was a) UV and b) running OS/2 until the end.

 
Glen MacDonald
Digital Microscopy Center
Box 357923
University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98195-7923  USA
[phone]
[hidden email]

> On Jun 1, 2016, at 11:46 PM, Guy Cox <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your posting.
> *****
>
> Sounds like the cable connecting the scanhead to the framestore.  That's the cheapest possibility, anyway!  Check that for continuity and if all seems OK then put a scope on the output of the scanhead and see if the relevant signals are there, and then if they are there at the other end of the cable.  Sorry, I don't know the pinouts but someone will, I'm sure, if it's not in the manual.  If all seems ok then it's probably  the framestore board.   Getting a replacement might be tricky.
>
> There must be many labs with these systems in mothballs, and I suggest that if you want to keep yours running you try to get hold of one.
>
>                                                            Guy
>
> Guy Cox, Honorary Associate Professor
> School of Medical Sciences
>
> Australian Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis,
> Madsen, F09, University of Sydney, NSW 2006
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Oleg Lunov
> Sent: Thursday, 2 June 2016 3:09 AM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: Bio-rad MRC 1000 confocal
>
> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your posting.
> *****
>
> Dear colleagues,
>
> we have old Bio-rad MRC 1000 confocal system. We faced with repetitive problem while image acquisition "Hardware is not sending any image, please stop scan and retry scanning". Laser is working, all mechanics are working and adjustable using LaserSharp2000 soft, PMTs seems to work, LTD is working. Scan head is scanning, filters are changing upon request. However, we get all the time  "Hardware is not sending any image, please stop scan and retry scanning".
>
> Could you suggest something? What could be a source of problem?
> Thanks in advance.
> Regards,
> Oleg Lunov

[Craig Brideau]

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*****

An MRC on OS/2 was the first confocal I worked on. Brings back memories. :)
If the UV optics were aluminum for the mirrors you might still be able to
sneak blue and green lasers through them. You'd still need to change the
dichroics and filters of course.

Craig

On Thu, Jun 2, 2016 at 8:03 PM, Glen MacDonald <[hidden email]>
wrote:

> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your posting.
> *****
>
> Dear Oleg,
> Our MRC-1000/1024 UV system gave error messages every few months that were
> resolved by reseating all cards and cables in the controller.  I’ve got the
> mothballed system to get rid of, but was a) UV and b) running OS/2 until
> the end.
>
>
> Glen MacDonald
> Digital Microscopy Center
> Box 357923
> University of Washington
> Seattle, WA 98195-7923  USA
> [phone]
> [hidden email]
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Jun 1, 2016, at 11:46 PM, Guy Cox <[hidden email]> wrote:
> >
> > *****
> > To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> > http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> > Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your
> posting.
> > *****
> >
> > Sounds like the cable connecting the scanhead to the framestore.  That's
> the cheapest possibility, anyway!  Check that for continuity and if all
> seems OK then put a scope on the output of the scanhead and see if the
> relevant signals are there, and then if they are there at the other end of
> the cable.  Sorry, I don't know the pinouts but someone will, I'm sure, if
> it's not in the manual.  If all seems ok then it's probably  the framestore
> board.   Getting a replacement might be tricky.
> >
> > There must be many labs with these systems in mothballs, and I suggest
> that if you want to keep yours running you try to get hold of one.
> >
> >                                                            Guy
> >
> > Guy Cox, Honorary Associate Professor
> > School of Medical Sciences
> >
> > Australian Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis,
> > Madsen, F09, University of Sydney, NSW 2006
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]]
> On Behalf Of Oleg Lunov
> > Sent: Thursday, 2 June 2016 3:09 AM
> > To: [hidden email]
> > Subject: Bio-rad MRC 1000 confocal
> >
> > *****
> > To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> > http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> > Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your
> posting.
> > *****
> >
> > Dear colleagues,
> >
> > we have old Bio-rad MRC 1000 confocal system. We faced with repetitive
> problem while image acquisition "Hardware is not sending any image, please
> stop scan and retry scanning". Laser is working, all mechanics are working
> and adjustable using LaserSharp2000 soft, PMTs seems to work, LTD is
> working. Scan head is scanning, filters are changing upon request. However,
> we get all the time  "Hardware is not sending any image, please stop scan
> and retry scanning".
> >
> > Could you suggest something? What could be a source of problem?
> > Thanks in advance.
> > Regards,
> > Oleg Lunov
>

[Aswani, Kavita]

Try contacting
https://lsmtechservices.co.uk/


Cheers,
Kavita
Kavita Aswani, PhD |  Senior Applications Scientist, Life Sciences  | Excelitas Technologies Corp.
Office: +1.905.812.3342 |  Mobile: [phone]  |[hidden email]



-----Original Message-----
From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Craig Brideau
Sent: June-03-16 2:50 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: Bio-rad MRC 1000 confocal

*****
To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your posting.
*****

An MRC on OS/2 was the first confocal I worked on. Brings back memories. :) If the UV optics were aluminum for the mirrors you might still be able to sneak blue and green lasers through them. You'd still need to change the dichroics and filters of course.

Craig

On Thu, Jun 2, 2016 at 8:03 PM, Glen MacDonald <[hidden email]>
wrote:

> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your posting.
> *****
>
> Dear Oleg,
> Our MRC-1000/1024 UV system gave error messages every few months that
> were resolved by reseating all cards and cables in the controller.  
> I’ve got the mothballed system to get rid of, but was a) UV and b)
> running OS/2 until the end.
>
>
> Glen MacDonald
> Digital Microscopy Center
> Box 357923
> University of Washington
> Seattle, WA 98195-7923  USA
> [phone]
> [hidden email]
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Jun 1, 2016, at 11:46 PM, Guy Cox <[hidden email]> wrote:
> >
> > *****
> > To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> > http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> > Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your
> posting.
> > *****
> >
> > Sounds like the cable connecting the scanhead to the framestore.  
> > That's
> the cheapest possibility, anyway!  Check that for continuity and if
> all seems OK then put a scope on the output of the scanhead and see if
> the relevant signals are there, and then if they are there at the
> other end of the cable.  Sorry, I don't know the pinouts but someone
> will, I'm sure, if it's not in the manual.  If all seems ok then it's probably  the framestore
> board.   Getting a replacement might be tricky.
> >
> > There must be many labs with these systems in mothballs, and I
> > suggest
> that if you want to keep yours running you try to get hold of one.
> >
> >                                                            Guy
> >
> > Guy Cox, Honorary Associate Professor School of Medical Sciences
> >
> > Australian Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, Madsen, F09,
> > University of Sydney, NSW 2006
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Confocal Microscopy List
> > [mailto:[hidden email]]
> On Behalf Of Oleg Lunov
> > Sent: Thursday, 2 June 2016 3:09 AM
> > To: [hidden email]
> > Subject: Bio-rad MRC 1000 confocal
> >
> > *****
> > To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> > http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> > Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your
> posting.
> > *****
> >
> > Dear colleagues,
> >
> > we have old Bio-rad MRC 1000 confocal system. We faced with
> > repetitive
> problem while image acquisition "Hardware is not sending any image,
> please stop scan and retry scanning". Laser is working, all mechanics
> are working and adjustable using LaserSharp2000 soft, PMTs seems to
> work, LTD is working. Scan head is scanning, filters are changing upon
> request. However, we get all the time  "Hardware is not sending any
> image, please stop scan and retry scanning".
> >
> > Could you suggest something? What could be a source of problem?
> > Thanks in advance.
> > Regards,
> > Oleg Lunov
>