New On-Line Computer, Zero Handle Returned

[John Donovan]

If you are setting up a new computer for running Probe for EPMA for data acquisition you'll need to install CalcZaf.msi *and* install ProbeForEPMA.msi. Then copy over your instrument configuration files from the old computer, along with any .WMF (Windows Meta Files) for the stage maps and of course your Standard.mdb compositional database to the new computer's Probe for EPMA folder.

Your microprobe specialist (the person who performed your original PFE/PI installation) should be contacted for assistance. Their contact info can be found here:

http://probesoftware.com/Who.html

See here for details for your lab specific files that should be copied over:

http://probesoftware.com/smf/index.php?topic=76.msg280#msg280

You'll also need to copy over the Cameca driver file (psi_sx100.dll) (for both Sx100 and SXFive instruments). On Windows XP systems it will be in the Windows\System32 folder.  In Win7 (64) systems it will go into the Windows\SysWOW64 folder.

Of course you'll need to make sure the new computer is properly configured for your instrument network with a unique static address. And you'll need to get a serial number from us based on the registration number the software will generate from the Registration dialog.

If you are getting the Zero Handle Returned error, you might need to generate a driver log so we can see what is going on at start up. Here are some basic instructions:

Here are instructions for capturing a driver log of this (or any other) communication issue:

1. Exit Probe for EPMA and all other PS applications. Turn on detailed driver logging in the Probewin.ini file by setting DriverLoggingLevel from 0 to 2 in the [hardware] section.
 
2. Start PFE and click Yes for connecting to the instrument and click OK for the Zero Handle error message.

3. Probe for EPMA will close. If not, just exit the applications. The log file will be saved in the users Documents folder. The log file name will be generated from the app as - <appname>_SX100.log.

4. Now got to the Documents folder and rename the Probewin.log file to a name that describes the capture, e.g., Probe for EPMA Startup Error.log or whatever...

5. Send the log file to Probe Software with an explanation of the issue.