As users are well aware, installation of NONMEM can be difficult. Historically, most problems related to the interaction between the Fortran compiler and the script used to install NONMEM. In recent years, open-source Fortran compilers (G77 and G95) have become available and these compilers usually allow seamless installation of NONMEM on most platforms using Globomax's NONMEM installer.

Installation of PLT Tools on Windows platforms has been difficult in certain situations. The most common of these is that the setup procedure for PLT Tools selects a flawed or outdated copy of nmfe6.bat. When PLT Tools executes NONMEM, it calls this flawed copy of nmfe6.dat, then fails to run NONMEM properly. Another common problem is that the Fortran compiler is not compatible with PLT Tools.

Installation of PLT Tools in Windows requires the following steps:

1. Fortran must be installed on your computer and the path to Fortran must be set as an environment variable. To test whether Fortran is installed and the environment variable is set correctly, open a Command Prompt window, then type the command that calls Fortran, e.g., G95<CR>. If the operating system responds "No input files" or something comparable, Fortran is installed correctly. If the operating responds, "... is not a recognized command", then either Fortran is not installed or the environment variable is not set correctly. You may need assistance from the IT department to set this variable.

2. The Fortran compiler must be compatible with PLT Tools. We have tested G77, G95, GFortran, and Intel Fortran 10 and 11 successfully. Tests with older versions of Digital Fortran (e.g., Digital Visual Fortran 5.0) have largely been unsuccessful. If you are using one of these older versions of Fortran, it is likely that PLT Tools will not work correctly. We recommend that you install G95, a modern, open-source compiler, available at no cost at G95.org (g95.org/downloads.shtml; search for Self-extracting Windows x86). As noted above, after the installation is complete, confirm that the environment variable is set correctly. For NONMEM 7, we recommend Intel Fortran.

3. Once a functioning Fortran is installed, NONMEM must be installed using the Globomax installer or Metrum's installer. PLT Tools is not compatible with Wings for NONMEM. To use the Golobomax installer, follow instructions provided on the NONMEM installation CD. To use the Metrum installer, follow the instructions provided at their web site.

4. Once both Fortran and NONMEM are installed, PLT Tools will function. However, if you attempted to run PLT Tools before steps 1-3 were complete, it is possible that the version of nmfe6.bat or nmfe7.bat that was copied to the folder \Program Files\PLTTools is flawed. Delete the file \Program Files\PLTTools\nmfe6.bat, then restart PLT Tools.

5. If you are using Intel Fortran, you need to edit a file FortranVars.bat that is provided with the PLT Tools installation. These edits are necessary so that environment variables are configured correctly.

6. If you are unable to run PLT Tools, we recommend the following:

a. Read the messages in the OUTPUT window in the Project Controller. Often, an explanation is provided.

b. If the messages don't clarify the source of the problem (or if the message "NONMEM has not started" appears repeatedly), click "Copy", then paste the contents of the clipboard into an email. Attach a copy of \Program Files\PLTTools\nmfe6.bat (you probably need to change the extension to .txt in order to bypass firewalls). Then email both to support@PLTsoft.com; the Subject line should read "PLT Tools Installation Problem". We will contact you shortly with recommendations.

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