To users of Microsoft Powerstation Fortran:
Microsoft has started shipping a revised version of Powerstation
Fortran. 1.0 is the original. 1.0A is the revised.
Some NONMEM users have reported crashes in NMTRAN when it is compiled
with 1.0A. I'd like to find out if any one else has had experience
with this compiler, either good or bad.
If you have recently purchased and installed Powerstation Fortran and
have the Microsoft diskettes handy, please look at the paper labels on
the 3 diskettes. There are some small letters printed on them.
Powerstation 1.0 diskettes have these numbers printed on them:
Disk Assy. 250-051-010, -011, -012
Powerstation 1.0A diskettes have these numbers:
Disk Assy. 250-051-026, -027, -028
If you have 1.0A, and are certain that all NONMEM/PREDPP/NMTRAN code
was compiled with this compiler, and not with 1.0, could you please
let me know if you've encountered any crashes with NMTRAN? The error
message that has been reported is:
DOSXMSF : fatal error DX1020: unhandled exception: General protection
fault
The problem has been reported to Microsoft Tech Support. It appears to
be a compiler error.
In case you have 1.0A and have not encountered problems, you need not
be alarmed. If it runs to normal completion, its output is correct.
Problem with MS PowerStation version 1.0A
To users of Microsoft Powerstation Fortran:
Last month, I sent e-mail about possible problems with Microsoft's new
release of the Powerstation Fortran compiler, 1.0A. This memo is an
update on the situation. Complete details will be sent in a newsletter
to all licensees soon.
It turns out that a bug was introduced in 1.0A. NM-TRAN has been
modified to avoid the kinds of statements that the compiler cannot
handle correctly.
The new release, NM-TRAN II 3.0, is now being sent to new licensees.
(License numbers nm0514 and higher.)
Earlier licensees who run into problems with Powerstation Fortran can
obtain the new release of NM-TRAN upon request. Contact me at one of
the addresses given below.
The new release (level 3.0) essentially differs from the old release
(level 2.0) *only* in that it can be used with the Powerstation Fortran
Compiler 1.0A, as well as with all other compilers. So, unless you are
using this particular compiler and are having problems, please do not
feel that you should request the new release.
Moreover, no one need be concerned about purchasing Powerstation
Fortran.
See also
NONMEM Level 2.1 Update