Michael Hooker Microscopy Facility (MHMF.ORG)

Using the Leica-LMD

Powering up

• Leave arc lamp off (unless using fluorescence to identify cells/structures)
• Turn on XBO arc lamp if required (Xenon lamps can be turned on while warm or hot)
• Turn on computer if it is not already on
• Turn on microscope control box
• Turn on UV laser
• Ensure anti vibration table is floating - check tank near entrance >30 psi with main gage above "MT" line

Log on & start software

• enter user name
• enter password
• log on to local computer (not MHMICROSCOPY if offered)

Start Leica Microdissection icon on desktop

• Please note: if you have logged into the MHMICROSCOPY domain an error message will appear saying that the microscope is not working.  If this happens log off and log on to the local Leica_LMD computer

First Time Use

• Note these step are usually already done.  However users may need to do this of the system has severely crashed or the software has been updated.
• Align reference hole in the collection plate
• Note: this can be bypassed by running the registry at c:\users\michael

Load collection tube(s)

Load sample on coated (penfoil) slide - place sample/penfoil side down! (quite unintuitive to microscopists, but divots must fall down into tube cap)

Choose objective via black buttons on right of control tower

Focus onto slide using top knob at the back of the control tower

Position sample

Ensure UV shield is in place.  N.B. shield must be in position carefully seated to close the laser safety interlock.  Listen for the quiet click.  Interlock makes a slightly loader click when the safety shutter closes.

Trouble Shooting:

• Software locks ups/crashes
  1. Shutdown LMD software either by
     1. Normal exit (e.g. File -> eXit  or  hitting top right X in title bar)
     2. Using task manager (simultaneously holding down crtl-shift-Esc buttons) to kill the program
  2. If necessary shutting down computer by either:
     1. Holding down front power button, letting Windows shut down and then (just to make sure) unplugging the computer power cord for >15 seconds
     2. Pressing crtl-alt-del and choosing Shut Down and choosing the shut down pull down tab

and

• Turning off power on the Microscope controller for >15 seconds
• There is no need to turn off laser!

3. Restart computer & microscope controller
4. Good luck!

• Laser is firing continuously
  • Check that the switch on the back of the laser is on EXTERNAL
    

Shutdown:

• Turn of UV laser
• Shut down LMD software
• Turn off power to microscope stand
• Log off computer
• Sign the log book please

		Copyright 2001-09  Dr. M. Chua, Office of Research, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
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