Download and install
How do I download and install UNICORN™ start 1.3 software?
Answer: To activate your e-license or download the software, visit www.cytiva.com/edelivery. This information is included in the e-license activation email.
Once logged into the portal, you can download the software and generate an e-license. To install, unzip the downloaded file to C:\tmp and then run the UNICORN™startInstaller.exe application. For more information, refer to the UNICORN™ start 1.3 user manual and upgrade instructions.
I’m not able to browse e-license file to configure e-license on UNICORN™ start 1.3 software.
Answer: During installation, if the license file does not appear in the license file folder, then you need to provide the complete path of the license file in the text box in the Configure eLicense window and then click Browse.
Can I revert to the original language and regional settings after installation?
Answer: We recommend using US English during the use of UNICORN™ start 1.3. Reverting to regional language might affect the functioning of the UNICORN™ start application.
UNICORN™ start 1.3 software is not connecting to the ÄKTA start™ instrument.
Answer: There are multiple reasons for this:
- When connecting a USB cable to a PC for the first time, the user must unplug and then plug in the cable to establish the connection.
- The USB cable needs to be reconnected to the PC after enabling or disabling the Frac option from the ÄKTA start™ instrument touchscreen.
- After database restore run Update Stored Procedure.exe to make the earlier UNICORN™ start database compatible with the rebranded application.
Refer to the UNICORN™ start user manual for details.
The software is connected to the ÄKTA start™ instrument, but I’m not able to see run data, chromatogram, or process picture.
Answer: Navigate to the system control module, click View menu, and select Restore to Default.
Do I need to have Windows™ 10 US English installation?
Answer: Yes, we recommend installing Windows™ 10 US English version 1909 and above using Pro, Ent, or Edu editions to avoid installation issues. If you already have a regional Windows™ 10 and want to install UNICORN™ start, you must install the US English language and regional setting pack specific to the version (e.g., 1909, 20H2, etc.) and set the regional and language settings to US English. Refer to the user manual for more details on using UNICORN™ start on Windows™ 10.
Can I use the UNICORN™ installer to uninstall UNICORN™ start software instead of Programs and Features in Windows™?
Answer: Yes, however this will not uninstall drives and the SQL Server™. These must be uninstalled manually via Programs and Features. Refer to the UNICORN™ start 1.3 user manual for more details.
Upgrade
Why should I upgrade to UNICORN™ start 1.3?
Answer: It is improved software and upgraded to SQL Server™ 2019, which has long-term support from Microsoft and will receive security updates in the future. Refer to the UNICORN™ start software release notes for details.
How do current users upgrade to UNICORN™ start 1.3 software and get e-license activation IDs?
Answer: To upgrade to UNICORN™ start 1.3 software, contact your regional customer support team referring to product number 29704233 (upgrade to UNICORN™ start 1.3 ESD + e-license) along with the previous version license activation ID. Visit the UNICORN™ start homepage for more details: https://www.cytiva.com/shop/chromatography/software/UNICORN™-start-p-00811.
To activate e-license or download the software, visit www.cytiva.com/edelivery. This information is included in the e-license activation email.
Once logged into the portal, you can download the software and generate an e-license.
How do I upgrade UNICORN™ start 1.0 to UNICORN™ start 1.3?
Answer: Follow these steps:
- Create a backup of the UNICORN™ start 1.0 database.
- If you’re on Windows™ 10, then follow steps C-F. If you’re on Windows™ 7, reimage the PC, install Windows™ 10, and skip to step G.
- Uninstall UNICORN™ start 1.0.
- Uninstall SQL Server™ 2008 and all related instances.
- Delete UNICORN™ start 1.0 folder.
- Delete Microsoft™ SQL Server™ folder from C:\Program Files (x86) and C:\Program Files.
- Restart the PC.
- Refer to How to download and install UNICORN™ start 1.3.
If my previous UNICORN™ software version activation ID is not available or is lost, how do I upgrade to UNICORN™ start 1.3?
Answer: To receive the new license file, you must share the old license file with your local customer support team.
Do I need to take any action with the old license file?
Answer: No action is required. Once you upgrade to UNICORN™ start 1.3, you must configure a new license file. The old license file will not be recognized by the UNICORN™ start 1.3, and it will not be deleted from the computer.
UNICORN™ start 1.2 e-license file is not working on UNICORN™ start 1.3.
Answer: You need a new e-license file for running UNICORN™ 1.3 software.
UNICORN™ start 1.0 or 1.1 methods are not working on UNICORN™ start 1.3 software.
Answer: Users shouldn’t import methods created using UNICORN™ start 1.0 or 1.1 that contain multiple sample application phases with different flow rates into UNICORN™ start 1.3, as they might not provide correct output. This issue was fixed for UNICORN™ start 1.2. Users should create new methods for such purposes on UNICORN™ start 1.3. Refer to the UNICORN™ start software release notes for details.
I’m not able to archive files from UNICORN™ start 1.1 to UNICORN™ start 1.3.
Answer: You can archive results by navigating to the Administration module. Choose Database management, select the Archive tab, provide the appropriate information, and click Archive.
Manage database
How do I restore the database?
Answer: Place the backup file under C:\Program Files (x86)\Cytiva\UNICORN\UNICORN start 1.3\Backup and then navigate to the Restore tab in the Administrator module. Select the appropriate backup file and click Restore. Wait for the operation to complete before launching the UNICORN™ start application. Run Update Stored Procedure.exe from the desktop. Once this is done you can launch UNICORN™ start 1.3 software. For more details, refer to the UNICORN™ start 1.3 user manual and upgrade instructions.
I’m not able to back up UNICORN™ start 1.3 database. Both manual backup and automatic backup are not working.
Answer: Make sure you have administrator rights on the computer. Verify the UNICORN™ instrument server service is in running state. Make sure that the Language and Date and time settings on the PC are correct.
I’m not able to restore the database.
Answer: If the database backup file is corrupt and you try to restore this corrupted backup file, it can corrupt information in the database. If the existing installation does not work as expected the UNICORN™ start 1.3 software can be reinstalled.
Software compatibility
I’m not able to import methods from UNICORN™ start 1.3 to ÄKTA start™ standalone instrument.
Answer: Rename folder named CYTIVA to GE when importing methods into ÄKTA start™ standalone instruments with FW V2.01.31 or below. Refer to the UNICORN™ start compatibility matrix for details.
I’m not able to import results from ÄKTA start™ standalone instrument to UNICORN™ start 1.3.
Answer: Rename folder named GE to CYTIVA when importing results into UNICORN™ start 1.0, 1.1, or 1.2. Refer to the UNICORN™ start compatibility matrix for details.
Miscellaneous questions
Is it necessary to have a DVD drive on the PC?
Answer: No, software is distributed electronically through the electronic software distribution (ESD) portal. You can also download a software installer from the ESD portal.
Does UNICORN™ start support a network license?
Answer: UNICORN™ start does not support network licenses and will not work on virtual computers. It must be installed on a physical computer connected to the ÄKTA start™ instrument. UNICORN™ start handles one instrument at a time.
Is the default password changed to be longer or same as that for UNICORN™ 7 so users no longer encounter a system administrator (SA) password error during installation of the SQL Server™?
Answer: The SA password error issue occurs with UNICORN™ start 1.1 and earlier versions, which are no longer supported. It will not occur with UNICORN™ start 1.3 software, which has the latest SQL Server™ (2019).