Common Problems

(and solutions)

BiRa Failure:
If the BiRa module fails and the mass flow controllers aren't getting any analog input programming:
1) ssh cmodws34 (login to the node that controls the camac highways)
2) mdsccl pio/f=17/a=0/da=2 sh_cc_gka528
This tells the crate controller (GKA528:n30) to issue a "C" (clear) command to all of the modules in the crate. This gets the BiRa working again after it has hung.


Camac Crate Status and On/Off:
1) ssh cmodws34 (this logs in to the node that controls the camac highways)
2) mdscts (this starts mds cts)
3) sh/crat GKA528 (for crate 528, the DNB camac crate. Use GKA5* for all crates on highway GKA5, etc)
4) To change the crate on line or off line status; set GKA528/on or set GKA528/off
5) logoff from cmodws34

Plotting an IDL window:
within IDL;
IDL> set_plot, 'ps'
IDL> device, file='<filename>.ps'
IDL><plot_routine or array>
IDL> device, /close
IDL generates a postscript file called <filename>.ps
Switch from IDL to bash using '$' (get back to IDL using 'exit') then use your favorite viewer to open the ps file and to plot it to a printer. In Linux, ghostview works well:
bash$gv <filename>.ps &
will launch ghostview
Don't forget to set the default plot device in IDL back to Xwindows;
IDL>set_plot, 'x'


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