Math Coprocessor Not Installed

PRoblem

system error 90-- math co-processor not installed. Happens with XL 2.2 or earlier when used with MacNail construction estimating software.

Diagnosis

occurs with Mac LC and any other Macintosh that has a 68020, 68030 or 68040 chip without a math co-processor, when using Excel 2.2 or earlier

Solution

try this temporarily: hold down option key when they start up excel.
more long term fix: call Microsoft and request latest version of 2.2 (2.2a or b or something like that). With very new Macs, may need to upgrade to a newer version of excel.

Comments

sloppy programming on Microsoft's part. For a while macs either had a 68000 chip and no math coprocessor, or a 68020/030 chip and a coprocessor-- so MS used the presence of the coprocessor to determine which chip type was being used. Newer macs with no coprocessor but with fast chips violate that assumption.

Entered 11/3/93 by Dennis.