RE: MSDOS versus VisualNM & NONMEM installation

From: "Bachman, William" <bachmanw@globomax.com> Subject: RE: MSDOS versus VisualNM & NONMEM installation Date: Thu, 16 Aug 2001 11:29:10 -0400 The critical factors determining the output of a NONMEM run on Wintel* systems are: 1. NONMEM version and level 2. FORTRAN compiler brand, its version and update level, and compiler options specified. Factors NOT influencing the output are: 1. PC manufacturer (Dell, Gateway, etc.) 2. PC processor (pentium 1/2/3/etc.) 3. Use of an interface (Visual NM, etc.) 4. Windows operating system (Win95, 98, Me, NT, 2000) Therefore, if the compiler and its options and NONMEM version and level are the identical on two different machines, use of Visual-NM will not influence your output using identical control streams and data files. Visual-NM is merely a shell that operates on top of the core NONMEM program (installed using a specified compiler and options). Also, testing the installation using CONTROL3 and DATA3 is NOT SUFFICIENT to prove correct installation. The most common installation error made is using the default arguments for setup.bat (usually by not specifying any arguments on the command line). The default setup specifies the now-obsolete MS Powerstation compiler (fl32). The problem lies in that DIGITAL/Compaq compilers have a Powerstation emulation mode that allows installation using this default and that the emulation mode is defective. Runs with CONTROL3 and DATA3 will actually run correctly, BUT, other runs will fail. Testing with CONTROL5 and THEOPP will FAIL under this defective install. (This is why Atul suggested "real world" testing in an earlier message). BOTTOMLINE RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. If installing from the command line, specify all arguments to setup.bat: e.g. setup a c nmv df y link (for DIGITAL/Compaq installations) If installing through Visual-NM make sure that the option for DIGITAL/Compaq compiler (df) is used and the compiler options are the same as used for your command line installation. 2. Test installation using CONTROL5 and THEOPP. *Windows/Intel is specified here so as to keep apples/oranges comparisons to a minimum. This statement was made as specific as possible to properly address the issues at hand and does NOT imply that output from different compilers or different platforms will necessarily be different. nmconsult@globomax.com GloboMax LLC 7250 Parkway Drive, Suite 430 Hanover, MD 21076 Voice: (410) 782-2205 FAX: (410) 712-0737