Installation of a Gamry Series G Potentiostat in a Computer

If you are not a Gamry user, you might be saying to yourself, "This potentiostat-inside-the-computer that Gamry manufactures sounds like a clever idea, but I don't know enough about computers to install it properly."  Fear not.  It's so easy that it REALLY is easy!  Especially since Gamry Series G Potentiostats are Plug and Play devices.

We even provide a Quick-Start Guide with each Potentiostat.  The Quick-Start Guide provides step-by-step instructions with lots of photographs.  It covers the installation of both the Gamry Potentiostat and the Gamry Software.

It's a three-step procedure: (1) Install the Gamry software.  (2) Install the Gamry Potentiostat.  (3) Re-boot the computer and allow the computer to identify the Potentiostat and load the drivers.

Just follow the steps below:

1.  Insert the Gamry CD-ROM in the CD-ROM Drive of your computer and follow the instructions in the Gamry Electrochemistry Software Getting Started Guide.  You need to load the Framework software, the Echem Analyst, and the application software.  You'll be prompted to enter the Authorization Codes for your application software.

2.  Turn off the computer and open the case.  We'll illustrate the procedure using a Dell Optiplex GX270T.  The GX270T has a hinged case and opens much like the hood of a car, or the bonnet of a car if you're British, or die Motorhaube eines Autos if you're German...OK, that's enough!  Identify the PCI slots, which are usually white and about 8 cm long (3.25 inches).  

Insert the Controller Board and the Potentiostat Board into adjacent PCI slots.  Press both ends of the Boards down until they slide into place.  If your computer employs a card guide, make sure the board is in the guide..  In some computers, the individual Boards are secured by a screw in the mini-panel of the computer.  In the Dell, the green bar snaps down to secure all of the Boards.

Install the short flat-ribbon cable between the Controller Board and the Potentiostat Board. In the photos below, we've attached the cell cable to the Potentiostat Board.  The photos below are a PCI4 Potentiostat. The Series G has a power cable for both the Controller Board and the Potentiostat Board.

The Potentiostat Board is installed in the far right PCI slot.  The black shield on the Potentiostat Board prevents noise pick-up from the environment by the analog electronics.  Note the short flat-ribbon cable connecting the Potentiostat and Controller Boards.

In this view, the Dell Optiplex is lying on its side with the rear panel facing you. The green bar on the bottom right in the photo is the hold-down bar.  It's very convenient-- lift up, install the board, then snap down.  No more screws to drop into the computer.

Locate the Disk Drive Power Cable in your computer. This Cable may be found among the cables emanating from the power supply.  Look for a white, 4-wire connector. The cable may be secured in a bundle by a cable tie.  In that case, cut the cable tie to release the cable.  Insert the connector in the mating connector on the Controller Board as in the photo above.

Each Gamry Potentiostat includes an extension cable.  If the Power Cable is too short to reach the Controller Board, use the extension cable.

A close-up photo of the Power Cable connected to the Controller Board.


3.  Turn on the computer.  With Windows XP, the "Found New Hardware Wizard" will open. Accept the default parameters by clicking "Next".  Windows XP will locate the appropriate Potentiostat drivers and copy them to the proper location. After this step is complete, select "Finish".

The Potentiostat is now ready for operation.  

Note:  If you're like most of us and don't read directions before taking action, then you might have installed the Potentiostat before installing the Gamry Software. That's not good, because the computer, after rebooting, recognizes a new hardware item, goes off to look for the driver, and can't find it!  The solution is very logical: install the Gamry Software, then power down the computer.  When you reboot the computer, the "Found New Hardware Wizard" will open and proceed to find the driver.

Another Note:  If you find yourself in a situation in which both the Potentiostat and the software is installed, but the computer isn't recognizing the Potentiostat, do the following:
1. Power down the computer
2. Physically remove the Potentiostat from the computer
3. Power up the computer
4. Power down the computer
5. Install the Potentiostat
6. Power up the computer

The Last Note:  If you have questions on the installation, call or email Gamry.  We've had lots of practice installing Potentiostats and we'll be glad to help you get started.
 

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Last revised on Tuesday, December 14, 2010