Best practices for maintaining the computer on a MiSeq

Proper maintenance of the instrument computer minimizes computer-related issues during sequencing runs. The following tips help maintain the MiSeq computer.

How often these maintenance steps are completed is dependent on the usage of the instrument. If the MiSeq instrument is used frequently, power cycle the instrument at least once per week.

Power cycle the computer and instrument

• Power cycling resets the instrument computer, memory usage, and software programs.

• A power cycle consists of shutting down the instrument and computer, leaving the system off for 3-5 minutes, then restarting the instrument and computer.

• The MiSeq System Product Documentation contains recommendations for proper power cycling.

  • Instruments should be powered on continuously, to maintain the integrity of the instrument fluidics.

  • Power cycling the instrument computer regularly maintains consistent instrument computer performance.

  • Power cycling the instrument may be required during troubleshooting.

For further information, see Knowledge Base articles How To Power Cycle the MiSeq Video and How to Power Cycle the MiSeq.

Cleaning the hard drives

• The hard drive on the MiSeq is configured for processing runs and performing on-instrument analyses and is not intended for long-term data storage.

• Data within the MiSeqTemp folder is automatically deleted after 7 days.

• It is best practice to move old run folders from the MiSeqAnalysis and MiSeqOutput folders to long-term storage regularly.

Language and regional settings

• Instrument computer language and regional settings are set to English (United States) by default.

• Do not change this setting.

• The software is not designed to run in another language.

• Changing this setting can cause secondary analysis failures and communication problems between the computer and the instrument.

• Daylight saving settings are enabled by default for correct syncing with BaseSpace Sequence Hub. Do not change this setting.

Security best practice

• The Illumina Product Security web page contains recommendations for security configurations on all Illumina sequencing platforms.

• For MiSeq specific security recommendations, please reference the MiSeq System Site Prep Guide.

• Further platform-specific recommendations are found in the instrument site prep guide.

For any feedback or questions regarding this article (Illumina Knowledge Article #6708), contact Illumina Technical Support [e-mail].