Estimate Troubleshooting

NOTE-- In 2000 we completely replaced MacNail with the newer Goldenseal construction estimating software. There are still die-hard MacNail users, so we keep the manuals online for their use! Goldenseal is an integrated program that also includes accounting, job costing and contract writing features.Goldenseal does not require Excel, and offers many improvements over MacNail.

System Error (BOMB):

This is not a problem caused directly by the MacNail construction estimating software.

Bombs are most commonly caused by software problems. Some versions of Excel do not 'get along' with some versions of the System. Your disk may also have a virus. INITS (files you put in your System Folder--such as screen savers) and Public Domain programs are also notorious for causing The Bomb.

Bombs may also be caused by power line irregularities, by random natural causes (e.g. cosmic rays, background radioactivity), or by hardware malfunctions.

If you bomb frequently, try the following (in this order) until the problem has stopped:
1. Remove any 'controversial' programs from your disk. If your problems are recent and you just added a new INIT, it may be interacting badly with Excel.
2. Check your hard disk for virus infection. There are several good virus-checking programs available.
3. If you are using MultiFinder, try running with SingleFinder for a while.
4. Make sure that you have the most recent version of Excel (upgrades are inexpensive). Replace Excel with the copy on your original floppy disk--it may have become damaged.
5. Make sure you have the most recent version of the System. Replace your System file with a good copy.
6. You may have corrupted files in your disk--run a 'disk housekeeping' program such as Disk Express to clean them up. If files have become badly corrupted, you may have to re-initialize (erase everything and start over).