diff --git a/src/aare/daq/daq.py b/src/aare/daq/daq.py
index e5af47a4..da666f06 100644
--- a/src/aare/daq/daq.py
+++ b/src/aare/daq/daq.py
@@ -1883,6 +1883,9 @@ class AareDAQ:
             self.__cfg.state_busy = False
             raise
 
+    def check_tell_mount_start_conditions(self) -> None:
+        self.__devs.tell.validate_mount_start_conditions()
+
     def _execute_dry(self, park:bool=True, unmount:bool=False):
         self._create_mounting_service().dry(park=park, unmount=unmount)
 
@@ -2663,7 +2666,8 @@ class AareDAQ:
             self.__cfg.try_set_busy(timeout=self.AUTOMATION_BUSY_TIMEOUT_S)
 
             self._validate_automation_state(context="after acquiring automation busy state")
-
+            logger.info("Cancelling any pending jfjoch operations")
+            self.__jfjoch.cancel()
             self._set_progress_context(
                 progress,
                 current_sample_name=getattr(sample, "sample_name", "") or "",
@@ -2822,7 +2826,7 @@ class AareDAQ:
             self._raise_if_critical_jfjoch_detector_error(e, command=e.endpoint or "unknown")
             raise
 
-        except (StateTransitionFailed, MaintenanceStateException) as e:
+        except (TransformationInvalidException, StateTransitionFailed, MaintenanceStateException) as e:
             logger.error(f"Critical automation state error: {e}")
             if progress.current_step is not None:
                 current_kind = next(
diff --git a/src/aare/devices/tell_client.py b/src/aare/devices/tell_client.py
index 2f8e7e2d..91107449 100755
--- a/src/aare/devices/tell_client.py
+++ b/src/aare/devices/tell_client.py
@@ -103,10 +103,56 @@ class TellClient:
         :param value """
         self.backend.eval("in_mount_position = " + str(value) + "&")
 
+    def _eval_bool(self, expr: str) -> bool:
+        value = self.backend.eval(expr)
+        return str(value).strip().lower() == "true"
+
     def is_in_mount_position(self) -> bool:
         """checks to see if the robot is in the mount position and returns a boolean"""
         return self.backend.eval("in_mount_position&").lower() == "true"
 
+    def is_manual_mode(self) -> bool:
+        msg = self.backend.eval("is_manual_mode()&")
+        logger.debug(f"manual mode: {msg}")
+        return msg
+
+    def is_door_closed(self) -> bool:
+        msg = self.backend.eval("is_door_closed()&")
+        logger.debug(f"door closed: {msg}")
+        return msg
+
+    def is_remote_mode(self) -> bool:
+        return not self.is_manual_mode()
+
+    def validate_mount_start_conditions(self) -> None:
+        reasons: list[str] = []
+        logger.warning('tell validation not in place')
+        pass
+        # try:
+        system_check = self.get_system_check()
+        #     if system_check not in (None, "", "OK"):
+        #         reasons.append(f"system check failed: {system_check}")
+        # except Exception as e:
+        #     reasons.append(f"system check failed: {e}")
+
+        # try:
+        #     if not self.is_remote_mode():
+        #         reasons.append("TELL is not in remote mode")
+        # except Exception as e:
+        #     reasons.append(f"failed to check remote mode: {e}")
+
+        # try:
+        #     if not self.is_door_closed():
+        #         reasons.append("TELL doors are open")
+        # except Exception as e:
+        #     reasons.append(f"failed to check door status: {e}")
+
+        # if reasons:
+        #     raise TellCommunicationError(
+        #         message="Mount can't start: " + "; ".join(reasons),
+        #         operation="mount_precheck",
+        #     )
+
     def set_samples_info(self, info: List[PuckWithTellPosition]):
         """sets the samples in the robot dewar based on the given list of PuckWithTellPosition objects
             and runs set_sample_info in the background"""
@@ -366,13 +412,18 @@ class TellClient:
         return None
 
     def get_system_check(self):
-        return self.backend.eval("system_check_msg()&")
+        msg = self.backend.eval("system_check()&")
+        logger.debug(f"SYSTEM CHECK: {msg}")
+        return msg
 
     def get_robot_state(self):
-        return self.backend.eval("robot.state&")
+        msg = self.backend.eval("robot.state&")
+        logger.debug(f"robot state: {msg}")
+        return msg
 
     def get_robot_status(self):
         status = self.backend.eval("robot.take()&")
+        logger.debug(f"robot status: {status}")
         #return eval(status)
         return ast.literal_eval(status)
 
@@ -487,13 +538,25 @@ def make_tell_client(bl: MXBeamline) -> TellClient:
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     from aare.common.beamline import mx_beamline
-    import time
+    from datetime import datetime, timezone
     bl = mx_beamline()
     tell_client = make_tell_client(bl)
     #tell_client.toggle_blower()
     #tell_client.check_enable_motion()
-    print(tell_client.get_system_check())
-    print(tell_client.get_robot_status())
-    print(tell_client.get_setting('dry_mount_count'))
+    print("system check: ", tell_client.get_system_check())
+    print("status ", tell_client.get_robot_status())
+    print("dry mount count: ", tell_client.get_setting('dry_mount_counter'))
+
+    ts = float(tell_client.get_setting('dry_timestamp'))
+    print("dry timestape: ", ts)
+    past = datetime.fromtimestamp(ts, tz=timezone.utc)
+    now = datetime.now(timezone.utc)
+    seconds_ago = int((now - past).total_seconds())
+    print(seconds_ago)
+    print("door closer :", tell_client.backend.eval('is_door_closed()&'))
+    print("manual mode: ", tell_client.backend.eval('is_manual_mode()&'))
+    print("position :", tell_client.get_robot_status()["pos"])
+    #print("release safety: ", tell_client.backend.eval('release_safety()&'))
+
     # time.sleep(5)
     #tell_client.blower_off()
\ No newline at end of file