mobile-main-menu-button
Menu

How can we help? What do you want to learn? Search our knowledgebase.

Initial Potentiostat and AfterMath Software Installation

Last Updated: 3/26/24 by Tim Paschkewitz

ARTICLE TAGS
  • installation,
  • new computer,
  • lost USB,
  • installation help
Article Contents/Section Navigation
  1. Background
  2. Step 1: Instrument Preparation
  3. Step 2: Installation Steps
    1. Download AfterMath Software Installer
    2. Download Instrument Driver
    3. Decompress Instrument Driver
    4. Run the Driver Setup Executable
    5. Install AfterMath
    6. Connect USB Cable and Power on Potentiostat
    7. Copy License Files
    8. Start AfterMath Software

1Background

When you purchase a new Pine Research Potentiostat, we include a USB flash drive, located within the User Guide in a plastic pouch.  It's very helpful to keep this USB flash drive available, whenever you wish to install AfterMath onto a new (or additional) computer, where you plan to connect to an instrument.  Commonly, these USB flash drives have a way of disappearing.  No worries, we provide all the content of this USB flash drive on our website, and this guide will walk you through downloading, installing, and finally, using your Pine Research potentiostat on a new/different computer.
 
You will need to provide Pine Research with the potentiostat serial number and hardware code so they can send you license/permissions files.  You cannot use the instrument until you have received and installed these files.  Contact Pine Research to initiate this process.
 

LOST USB FLASH DRIVE?  This article guides a user through installing drivers and software onto a new or different computer, when the original USB flash drive that came with your computer has been lost.  If you have your USB flash drive, refer to this article instead.

Back To Top

2Step 1: Instrument Preparation

When installing AfterMath and the instrument driver on a new/different computer, it is important to do so in a specific order, to ensure that Windows uses the correct driver.  Disconnect the USB cable from the potentiostat and turn the potentiostat off.
Back To Top

3Step 2: Installation Steps

A new potentiostat requires, at minimum, two downloads.  Assuming the computer onto which you are installing AfterMath has not previously had AfterMath installed or been used to control a Pine Research potentiostat, you will need to download the instrument driver and AfterMath software.
Back To Top

3.1Download AfterMath Software Installer

Navigate to our Software Downloads Page.  Find the "Current Release Version" box and click the blue button to download the "Current AfterMath Release."
 
screenshot of Current Release Version on KB
 

ACCOUNT AND LOGIN REQUIRED.  Only logged in users may download AfterMath.  If you are not logged in, you will be directed to do so.  If you do not have an account on our website, create one by clicking the Register link.

Back To Top

3.2Download Instrument Driver

Navigate to our Software Downloads Page .  Find the "Other Downloads" box, click the chevron (Click to Expand...) and select your instrument family from the dropdown.  Then, click the blue button to download the driver.
 
screenshot of the Other Downloads section on the KB
Back To Top

3.3Decompress Instrument Driver

In the prior step, you downloaded the instrument driver.  The downloaded file is compressed (i.e., "zipped") and before you can use it, you must decompress (i.e., "unzip") the folder to expose the executable file.  You can do this with built-in Microsoft Windows tools.  Extract the contents of the CDM212364_Setup.zip folder.
 
unzip a folder screenshot
Back To Top

3.4Run the Driver Setup Executable

Once you have extracted the contents of the software driver you downloaded, run CDM212364_Setup.exe to install the driver.  Navigate through any screens and prompts until you are advised that the drivers were installed:
 
FTDI USB Device Driver Installation Dialog 2
Back To Top

3.5Install AfterMath

Previously, you downloaded AfterMath software.  It's filename will resemble: "aftermath_1_6_10523_setup.msi," where "1_6_10523" is specific to the version downloaded.  Navigate through the setup screens until you have finished the installation.  AfterMath will now be installed on your system.  Take note of where it was installed on your C:\ drive.  Typically, this is located at:
 
C:\Program Files (x86)\Pine\AfterMath (32-bit application)
or
C:\Program Files\Pine\AfterMath (64-bit application)
Back To Top

3.6Connect USB Cable and Power on Potentiostat

Connect the potentiostat to the computer via the USB cable.  Connect the power to the potentiostat and turn the potentiostat on.  You should hear a Windows chime to indicate that a new USB device was found.  Windows will associate the previously installed driver with the potentiostat.
 
Connecting the USB cable between WaveDriver 200 and PC
Connecting AC Power Adapter to the WaveDriver 200
Powered-on WaveDriver 200
Back To Top

3.7Copy License Files

Since you do not have the USB flash drive, you likely do not have the license/permission files needed to perform experiments with your instrument.  You would have previously contacted Pine Research to obtain a copy of these files.  Find the files that Pine Research e-mailed to you, and place them into the AfterMath folder (indicated above).
Back To Top

3.8Start AfterMath Software

Now, start AfterMath (there is likely a desktop shortcut, else, navigate to the AfterMath folder and start by double-clicking the aftermath entry in the folder).  After a few moments, verify that the potentiostat appears in the Instruments list in AfterMath.
At this point, installation is complete and your potentiostat should be ready to use on the new/different computer.
Back To Top
Questions? Find Answers.

Our knowledgebase is the central repository for written content, including help topics, theory, application notes, specifications, and software information.

Select a category below or view the Knowledgebase home page
Software

Detailed information about our Software, which includes AfterMath and retired PineChem.

Applications

Application notes discuss practical aspects of conducting specific experiments.

Theory

Fundamental electrochemical theory presented in a brief and targeted manner.

Product Specifications

Review complete product specifications and compare products within a category here.