GA IIx - Focus was not found

[jorgebm]

We're performing our first run on an Illumina GAIIx (after "training" run) and GA Data Collection software can't focus showing the following error:

"Focus was not found.
to attempt focusing again, it is recommended to go Edit >Run Parameters and select another tile on which to focus to avoid bleaching te current selected tile"

We've followed "Calibration Failure Recovery" process literally (including manually adjusting Z axis and clean/reload flow cell prism) but it doesn't work.

Of course, we've reported it to Illumina Technical Support service but I would like to ask you for any ideas or suggestions.

Thanks in advance

[huguesparri]

We had the problem twice on our GAII.
It was always after a re-calibration by Illumina's technical service.
What happens is that Illumina's calibration Flow Cell are a bit higher than the usual SR or PE Flow Cell.
So when the focus is done during the calibration run, all is fine. But when you try to focus on a normal run, the camera can't go as low as it should to make a correct focus as it is blocked at -42000 of the actual "Z as origin" defined by the previous Illumina's calibration.
What we did was to tell the camera to go at a Z=-35000 and to define this Z as a new origin.
Focus with PE and SR Flow Cells was all right then.