Epsilon Ec Upgrade Guide
The epsilon platform is designed to grow with your needs. A number of upgrades are possible and the specifics of what needs to be upgraded will vary. Below are the four components that can be upgraded.
- Computer software.
- The firmware in the epsilon.
- The techniques that can be performed.
- The number of channels in the epsilon (e.g., bipotentiostat).
Computer Software Upgrade
The installation disk contains a Readme.txt file which explains the changes from the last version. It also contains three different installation programs. Selection of the proper installation program depends computer connection (Serial or USB) and on the operating systems of the computer. Examples are shown below. (Note that names may be slightly different on upgrade disk.)
- Serial-9X-ME-EpsilonEC-V160-setup.exe for Windows 98 and Me
- Serial-2K+ EpsilonEC-V160-setup.exe for Windows 2000 and XP
- USB-EpsilonEC-V161-setup.exe for Windows 2000, XP and Windows 7
It is best to uninstall the old software and then install the new software. If uninstalling Vers 1.0 or 1.1 software, click Start, go to Settings, click on Control Panel, open Add/Remove Programs, select EpsilonEC and click on Add/Remove. Follow the instructions as they appear on the monitor.
To install the new software, place the CD in your CD ROM drive. Open the appropriate file for your computer operating system. Follow the instructions as they appear on the monitor. Alternatively, EC epsilon software may be downloaded from the BASi® web site.
Note that upgrading an epsilon may require updating both the computer software as well as the firmware (internal software). Please follow the instructions in the next section for upgrading the firmware.
Firmware Upgrade
A special program is used to update the epsilon firmware (embedded software) and/or to increase the number of available techniques (see Techniques Upgrade). The firmware upgrade requires a file with the .sre extension. The file name will contain a larger number than predecessors. If new computer software was installed (see above), then the new .sre file will be in the same folder as the main program (e.g., C:\EpsilonEC). The following procedure must be followed for the upgrade.
NOTE: The epsilon must be switched ON in order for this program to function. THE EPILSON MUST REMAIN ON UNTIL THE UPGRADE HAS BEEN COMPLETED.
- Open the epsilon program.
- In the Experiment menu, click on Update Hardware. The epsilon program will close and the Update program will automatically open.
- If upgrading a serial epsilon and the message appears "Can NOT find BASi - Epsilon @ Comm Port #," ensure the correct comm (serial) port has been selected in Change Comm Port in the File menu. If upgrading a USB epsilon and the message appears "Can NOT find BASi - Epsilon (USB)," then check the computer cable and restore the connection between the PC and the epsilon using Reconnect Epsilon, also in the File menu.
- Click Upgrade Firmware in the Update menu, and select the .sre file. The upgrade process may take a few minutes. At the end of the process, the program compares the version numbers before and after the upgrade. If the upgrade has been successful (i.e., the version number has changed), the message "Firmware - Upgraded" will be displayed. If the version number remains the same, the message "Firmware - NOT upgraded" will appear.
- Once the firmware upgrade has been completed successfully, either go to the next section to upgrade the available techniques, or close the program and re-open the epsilon software.
Techniques Upgrade
A special program is used to increase the number of available techniques or to update the epsilon firmware (embedded software) (see Firmware Upgrade). The techniques upgrade requires a file with the .upg extension. The new .upg file will be on a separate disk The following procedure must be followed for the upgrade.
NOTE: The epsilon must be switched ON in order for this program to function. THE EPILSON MUST REMAIN ON UNTIL THE UPGRADE HAS BEEN COMPLETED.
- Once you have purchased an upgrade that contains additional techniques, you must first send BASi® the serial number of your epsilon and the code that identifies the instrument before BASi® can send you the file required to upgrade the number of techniques. The file for increasing the number of techniques has the .upg extension. The form shown under Save BASi-Epsilon Information File must be completed and sent to BAS. This form can be saved and e-mailed to BASi® at upgrade@bioanalytical.com, or it can be printed and FAXed to 765-497-1102. The identification code for your epsilon is automatically added to the form by the software.
- Open the epsilon program.
- In the Experiment menu, click on Update Hardware. The epsilon program will close and the Update program will automatically open.
- If upgrading a serial epsilon and the message appears "Can NOT find BASi - Epsilon @ Comm Port #," ensure the correct comm (serial) port has been selected in Change Comm Port in the File menu. If upgrading a USB epsilon and the message appears "Can NOT find BASi - Epsilon (USB)," then check the computer cable and restore the connection between the PC and the epsilon using Reconnect Epsilon, also in the File menu.
- Go to the Update
menu. To increase the number of techniques, click Upgrade Techniques, and select the .upg file from the dialog box. Note that this file is unique for every epsilon and can be run only once. The upgrade process takes a few seconds. At the end of the process, the following message will appear if the upgrade is successful:
- End: Upgrade procedure completed, you may exit now.
- Epsilon - upgraded.
- If it was not successful, then the following message will appear:
- End: Upgrade procedure completed, you may exit now.
- Epsilon - NOT upgraded.
- Once the upgrade has been completed successfully, close the program and reopen the epsilon software.
Increase the Number of Channels
Increasing the number of channels requires that a new .upg file be loaded into the epsilon (see Techniques Upgrade) and it requires that a W2 board be inserted into the instrument. The W2 board is shipped in an anti-static envelope. Be sure to eliminate static charge on you before removing W2 board from the envelope (see below). To insert the W2 board:
- Unplug epsilon.
- Remove eight Phillips screws from epsilon cover, then remove cover.
- Remove top plate from the card rack cage after removing four straight screws holding it on.
- Hold onto epsilon chassis while removing board from bag to prevent static damage.
- Insert analog board in appropriate slot (see above figure). Make sure it is completely inserted.
- Replace top plate.
- Replace cover.
The cell lead cable for the second working electrode (W2) is included with the 2nd channel upgrade. The W2 cable has a silver LEMO connector that plugs into the W2-W4 port on the rear panel. (Note that this port is larger than the W1 port.) The cable terminates with an alligator clip that attaches directly to the electrode.
WARNING: NEVER CONNECT OR ADJUST THE CELL LEADS DURING AN EXPERIMENT OR WHEN CELL=ON. DOING SO COULD DAMAGE THE SENSITIVE AMPLIFIERS AND VOID YOUR WARRANTY.
