Vpviewer And Origin Software Overview; Powering Up The Vp-Itc Instrument - MicroCal VP-ITC User Manual

2.1 VPViewer and Origin Software Overview

The VPViewer 2000 software controls the operation of the VP-ITC calorimeter. It is within
VPViewer 2000 that all ITC experimental parameters are entered, runs are controlled and data is
saved to the hard disk of the Computer Controller. By default, all data that is generated in the run
state of an ITC experiment will be saved to disk, with no user interaction.
When VPViewer 2000 is started it opens a linked copy of a project window in Origin, named
VPITCPlot.opj. This project window of Origin is strictly for real time display of data from
VPViewer and is not intended for data analysis or saving data; VPViewer automatically saves all
relevant experimental data.
Please note: If Origin is closed by accident, an error message will appear and the data display
will be lost until Origin is again reopened by utilizing the VPViewer 2000 menu, System|Open
Origin. VPViewer 2000 must be used to open up Origin for real-time display or the real-time
plotting will not work. As long as VPViewer remains open, the experiment will continue and all
data will still be automatically saved to disk independent of the real-time plotting.
Operation Within a Windows™ Environment
Only one copy of VPViewer will be permitted to run at any given time. If a second instance of
the application is detected, VPViewer will immediately terminate itself. Users should feel free to
run Origin for data analysis simultaneously with VPViewer, as well as most other Windows'
applications. In general, VPViewer is a multi-tasking application with some subtle limitations. If
VPViewer detects a conflict that may jeopardize its ability to acquire data, it will inform you of
this conflict. In such instances you should contact MicroCal.
Although, other Windows' programs can be used while the VP-ITC is running without affecting
the data acquisition or calorimetric control it should be realized that there are real time operations
taking place during a run, and that performing CPU intensive tasks while a run is in progress can
'glitch' the ITC baseline. Users should avoid large file copying to disk drives, large print jobs
and recursive control loops while the VP-ITC is in the midst of a run.

2.2 Powering Up the VP-ITC Instrument

The VP-ITC main power switch and the VPViewer software application can be left on
indefinitely. There may be occasions when the instrument is turned off and then turned back on.
Problems can arise if the recommended power up sequence is not followed. Whenever powering
up the VP-ITC, please follow the steps below in order:
1. Turn on the computer controller. The VP-ITC power switch must be off.
2. Once the computer controller is on and Windows is running, turn on the power
switch at the rear of the VP-ITC.
3. Launch the VPViewer application by double clicking its icon on
the Windows desktop or from the Windows taskbar by selecting
Start : Programs : MicroCal's VPITC : VPViewer ITC.
Please note: Failure to adhere to this sequence when powering up the VP-ITC
may result in the injection system not responding.
Section 2: VPViewer and Origin Software
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