The GC/MSD temperature is usually controlled by the Thermal Aux 2 heated zone of the GC. The GC will generate a message saying the heated zone is not ready until the heated zone reaches +/- 1 degree C of the setpoint and holds that setpoint for 30 seconds. It normally takes 10 - 20 minutes for the GC/MSD interface to reach its setpoint*. If, after that time, the system indicates the heated zone is still not ready, check the following:
Make sure the setpoint for the ion source temperature is what you expect it to be. Unless you override it, the setpoint is determined by the setpoint in the tune file associated with the current method.
The GC/MSD interface is normally controlled by the Thermal Aux #2 heated zone. Make sure this is correct for your system. Make sure that the temperature setpoint was entered in the correct heated zone.
Contact your Agilent Technologies service representative
Other possible causes are a heater or sensor that is disconnected, shorted, or has failed. If the GC/MSD interface cable is disconnected from the GC, loading a method will result in a warning that the configuration of the GC has changed because the specified heated zone is not available. If the heater or sensor is shorted or open, the GC will generate a fault or warning message as appropriate.
Note: It takes at least 2 hours after all heated zones have reached their setpoints for the MSD to reach thermal equilibrium. Data acquired before the MSD is at thermal equilibrium may not be reproducible.