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Troubleshooting

This list contains some of the problems which you might encounter.

1.     When attempting to install TPX.XLA, the Add-Ins... item is dimmed.

This occurs if no workbook is open, or something else (a dialog box, etc.) is active. Open a new or existing workbook, or click on a worksheet cell and try again.

2.     Every cell containing a TPX function shows the error message #NAME?

This means Excel does not recognize the TPX function names, or is looking in the wrong place for TPX.XLA. Go to the Excel Tools menu, select Add-Ins, and verify that TPX is in the list and the box next to "TPX" is checked.

If it is, then select Fix Links on the TPX tools menu.

3.     Every cell containing a TPX function shows the error message #VALUE!

This probably means that Excel cannot find TPX.DLL. It should be located in the "system" directory, for example C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM, or C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32. It should also find it if it is in the folder which comes up when you select File / Open.

4.     Some functions are OK, others contain an error.

a) Check your input values. TPX will return an error if impossible values are input (negative temperatures, etc.). This can happen sometimes if you change units - a temperature input of -10 will cause an error if you switch from C to K.  Entering unsupported substances ("D2") or property combinations ("SX") also cause an error.

b) Turn on error messages and re-evaluate the function (by perturbing an input parameter) to see what's wrong.

5.     Strange error messages (e.g. "INT 3: OVERFLOW") are appearing.

Please send e-mail to
tpx@adam.caltech.edu describing what you are trying to do, and the error that results. Attaching the workbook which gives the error would be helpful.

Remember TPX is beta software: the only way it can be improved is if you report bugs!

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