How to enable saving thumbnail images for troubleshooting on the NextSeq 500/550

Background

On the NextSeq 500/550, thumbnail images are disabled by default because enabling them can run the risk of affecting Real-Time Analysis (RTA) performance, potentially causing RTA to run slowly or crash. An RTA crash would render the sequencing run unrecoverable.

Saving thumbnail images during runs can be useful during troubleshooting. In certain cases, Illumina support may direct to temporarily enable saving thumbnail images.

Note: Do not enable thumbnail images unless directed by Illumina Technical Support. Disable thumbnails after troubleshooting has been completed (see below).

How to enable/disable thumbnail images

1. Close the NextSeq Control Software (NCS).

   • Being logged into into the sbsuser operating system (OS) account usually works for this. In some cases local IT policy may restrict changing file system names. If so, it may be necessary to log into the sbsadmin OS account to grant the user admin privileges.

2. Find the "InstrumentShell.NextSeqControlSoftware.Options.cfg" file:

   1. Windows 7 file path:

      C:\Illumina\NextSeq Control Software\InstrumentShell.NextSeqControlSoftware.Options.cfg

   2. Windows 10 file path:

      C:\ProgramData*\Illumina\NextSeq Control Software\InstrumentShell.NextSeqControlSoftware.Options.cfg

3. In case the working file becomes corrupted, duplicate this file and name the backup file "InstrumentShell.NextSeqControlSoftwareOptions.cfg.BAK" and Save

4. Open the original file in NotePad and find the line with the argument:

   <RtaSaveThumbnails>false

5. Change the argument's value to true:

   <RtaSaveThumbnails>true

6. Save the file.

7. Power cycle the system following the steps in the Knowledge Base article How to Power Cycle the NextSeq 500/550.

8. Start NCS and verify it intializes normally

Once Troubleshooting is Complete

Repeat the above steps to turn thumbnail images OFF by changing the argument's value back from true to false. Save the file, power cycle and verify NCS can initialize.

NOTE: For Windows 10, in order to access the ProgramData folder, Hidden Items must be enabled first. Open File Explorer, navigate to View, and then make sure Hidden Items is selected.

For any feedback or questions regarding this article (Illumina Knowledge Article #2085), contact Illumina Technical Support [e-mail].