Help – Construction Estimates

1. KNOWN PROBLEMS
2. Is there a User Manual?
3. How can I run the Estimate Program on Windows 7/8/10?
4. I can't get the Contract Estimate Program to run.
5. How do I convert my current Estimate Program over to use the DOSBox Emulator (for Windows 7/8/10)?
6. Can I run the Estimate Program using the DOSBox Emulator on a network drive?
7. How do I make the Estimate Program print to my printer?
8. How can I run Backup/Restore and Upload/Download without using a floppy drive?
9. How do I work with data e-mailed from State Aid and How can I e-mail Backup and/or Download data sets to State Aid?
10. When I select almost any menu option, regardless of project, I get a "Not A Database" error.
11. When I select almost any menu option, for a particular project, I get a "Not A Database" error.
12. I get a "Not A Database" error and it's not #10 or #11.
13. When I run an estimate I get a "Variable MPG67 Not Found" error.
14. When and how do I release Retainage for a Subcontractor (Notice to Bidders #11)?
15. When I restore a project, I get an error message stating that "File project.RET Not Found".
16. When I go to print, I get an error message stating that "Variable ZPINIT Not Found" and other ZP variables are not found, too.
17. The paper wants the Section 900 e-mailed to them, can the Estimate Program generate a file I can e-mail?
18. This project uses RAP (recycled asphalt pavement), what percent do I use to figure the fuel adjustment percent mix?
19. The program is DOUBLING the pay items. What do I do?
20. The project has a group of items ( ex. Traffic Signalization) that need to go "below" Roadway and Erosion Control. How do we do this?
21. The project has the pay item "907-627-K". What do I get it to sort properly?
22. I'm setting up the Estimate Mat for a project and the vendor information isn't entered. When I use the Add selection (of Add/Edit/Retry), I get an "End of File Encountered" or some other error. What can I do?
23. Dont See Your Question Listed? Click here to contact us.

1Q KNOWN PROBLEMS:
1. There is a known problem, !/Run Failed, which may occur running the backup procedure from within Process (Process Contract Estimate Menu). The work-around is to run the backup procedure before processing an estimate.

2. The same problem can occur while attempting to download or upload. If this occurs, select CANCEL to terminate the program, then re-start. Upload/Download can then be run.

3. There is also a known problem when trying to add a vendor during the Estimate Mat Set-up. If the vendor information you need is not in your vendor menu, or is not correct, simply select one of the existing vendors and finish the Estimate Mat. Next select option 4, Master Vendor Menu from the Project Set-Up Menu and Add or Edit the vendor information as required. Then go back and Edit the Estimate Mat and select the correct vendor.
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2Q. Is there a user manual?
A. The user manual can be downloaded here.
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3Q. How can I run the Estimate Program on Windows 7/8/10?
A. You can use the new solution for running the Estimate Program on Windows 7, 8 & 10 PCs using the freely available emulation software program DOSBox.
Download the following files from the Estimates and Estimate Program folder in the Common Files workspace on the OSARC WebShare site:

• DOSBox_MegaBuild6-win32-installer.exe
• Contract Estimate using DOSBox Emulator.pdf
• Contract Estimate using DOSBox Emulator.zip

4Q. I can't get the Contract Estimate Program to run.
A. If you're not running the Contract Estimate program using DOSBox Emulator, I strongly suggest that you want to make that change. That topic will be discussed next.

1. Check to make sure that the program files are loaded in gthe correct locations. The default (DosBox Megabuild) installation folder is C:\OSARC\CEstimate.
2. Check to make sure that the FoxPro Runtime files are installed. The default installation folder is C:\OSARC\CEstimate\DOSFiles. You can also search for FOXR.EXE.
3. Make sure that your shortcut is correct: The command (CMD) line should be this: "C:\Program Files (x86)\DOSBox_MB6\dosbox.exe" -noconsole -conf "C:\OSARC\CEstimate\DOSFiles\CEstimate.conf" (the double quotation marks must be included.) The Start In folder should be C:\OSARC\CEstimate\DOSFiles.
4. Are a keyboard and mouse attached to the PC? DOSBox requires a keyboard and mouse be physically attached to the PC.

5Q. How do I convert my current Estimate Program over to use the DOSBox Emulator (for Windows 7/8/10)?
A. It is not difficult to convert your current Estimate Program installation to use the DOSBox Emulator.

1. Make sure you have good, current backups of each project. The conversion process won't delete your existing data, but better safe than sorry.
2. Following FAQ #3, above, install DOSBox Megabuild6 and the Estimate Program on the PC (or PC's) the Estimate Program needs to run on.
3. Copy the entire EST_96 folder from your old installation and copy it to C:\OSARC\CEstimate\EST_96. Merge folders and overwrite files as prompted.
4. Copy the contents of your old backup folder (or floppies) to C:\OSARC\CEstimate\B. This folder is the new installation's B: drive for Backups, Downloads and Uploads.
5. Copy the OSARC Estimate Program shortcut file from the C:\OSARC\CEstimate folder to your PC's desktop.

6Q. Can I run the Estimate Program using the DOSBox Emulator on a network drive?
A. Yes. It is not technically difficult to run it over a network, but you will have to edit some files.

1. Make sure you have good, current backups of each project. The conversion process won't delete your existing data, but better safe than sorry.
2. Following FAQ #3, above, install DOSBox Megabuild6 and the Estimate Program to one of the PC's local C: drive.
3. Copy the entire EST_96 folder from your old installation and copy it to C:\OSARC\CEstimate\EST_96. Merge folders and overwrite files as prompted.
4. Copy the contents of your old backup folder (or floppies) to C:\OSARC\CEstimate\B. This folder is the new installation's B: drive for Backups, Downloads and Uploads.
5. Select the location on your network where you want the Estimate Program to run from. Ideally, it should be the root of a drive (i.e. G:), but you can install it deeper on the folder structure (i.e. G:\State_Aid).
6. Edit the OSARC Estimate Program shortcut file in the C:\OSARC\CEstimate folder so that:
   The command (CMD) line should be this: "C:\Program Files (x86)\DOSBox_MB6\dosbox.exe" -noconsole -conf "network drive\OSARC\CEstimate\DOSFiles\CEstimate.conf" (the double quotation marks must be included.)
   The Start In folder should be network drive\OSARC\CEstimate\DOSFiles.
   Where network drive is the network path (i.e. G:, G:\State_Aid, etc.).
7. Edit the CEstimate.conf file (near the bottom) in the C:\OSARC\CEstimate\DOSFiles\ folder so that:
   mount B C:\OSARC\CEstimate\B is mount B network drive\OSARC\CEstimate\B
   mount C C:\OSARC\CEstimate\DOSFiles is mount C network drive\OSARC\CEstimate\DOSFiles
   mount E C:\OSARC\CEstimate\EST_96 is mount E network drive\OSARC\CEstimate\EST_96
8. Copy the entire OSARC folder from the C: drive to the network drive.
9. Copy the OSARC Estimate Program shortcut file from the network drive\OSARC\CEstimate folder to your PC's desktop.

7Q. How do I make the Estimate Program print to my printer?
A. First, make your printer shareable:

1. Open the Windows Control Panel and select Devices and Printers (or for Windows 10, Start->Settings->Devices and Printers).
2. Right-click on the printer you want to use and select Printer Properties from the menu.
3. Select the Sharing tab, click Share this Printer and enter the share name. This name needs to DOS-friendly, so no more than 8 characters and no spaces.
4. Click Apply OK, etc., to complete this part.
5. Open the Windows Control Panel and select System (or for Windows 10, Start->Settings->About->Sys Info).
6. Find the Computer Name, you'll need it later.
7. In the search box (lower left - Windows 10) type CMD and press Enter.
8. At the Command Prompt, type NET USE LPT1: \\computer_name\printer_share_name /persistent:yes, where computer_name is the Computer Name you recorded and printer_share_name is the Printer Share name you set up in step 4 and press Enter.
9. If you received a "Command Completed Successfully" message, you are ready to print.
10. If you did not receive a "Command Completed Successfully" message or received an error message, close the Command Prompt window and restart the Command Prompt be right-clicking on the program icon and selecting "Run as Administrator".
11. Re-enter the NET USE LPT1 command.
12. If it was still not successful, type NET USE LPT1: \\127.0.0.1\printer_share_name /persistent:yes
13. If it is still not successful, please check with your local IT administrator.

8Q. How can I run Backup/Restore and Upload/Download without using a floppy drive?
A. If you're running the DOSBox emulator installation, just choose << B Drive >>. The operation will put the Backup, Download or Upload folder in ...\OSARC\CEstimate\B folder.
If you're NOT running the DOSBox emulator installation (you really need to consider moving to it), a PC Administrator user will need to:

1. Create a folder on a local or networked drive.
2. Give the user(s) read, write, create, delete and modify rights to this folder.
3. If the folder is on the PC and not on the network, set it up as a network share.
4. Right-click on My Computer and select Map Network Drive...
5. In the Drive list, select B:
   
6. Next to the folder box, select the Browse... button and browse to the folder created in Step 1.
7. Make sure the Reconnect at login check box is checked then click Finish.

9Q. How do I work with data e-mailed from State Aid and How can I e-mail Backup and/or Download data sets to State Aid?
A. How to work with data e-mailed from State Aid:

1. If the file(s) are not compressed, copy them to them location(s) indicated in the e-mail.
2. If the file is compressed, saved attached file(s) onto the desktop or other convenient folder.
3. Double-click on the compressed file to open it and drag the contained files/folders to the folder(s) indicated in the e-mail.

1. Using My Computer or Windows Explorer navigate to the the Backup and Download location.
2. Right-click on the download folder or backup date folder and click on Send To then Compressed (zipped Folder)
3. Attach this file to your e-mail to State Aid.

10Q. When I select almost any menu option, regardless of project, I get a "Not A Database" error.
A. If this happens on all projects, more than likely one or more of the temporary files have become corrupt. Download tmpfiles.zip and drag the files from the ZIP file and copy to the ...\OSARC\CEstimate\EST_96\TEMP folder, overwriting the existing files.
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11Q. When I select almost any menu option, for a particular project, I get a "Not A Database" error.
A. If this happens only on one project, one of the project's files may have become corrupt. Restoring the last backup should fix the problem.
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12Q. I get a "Not A Database" error and it's not #10 or #11.
A. If you are consistently having the "Not a Database" error and it results in your pay item file being corrupt, AND you're not running the DOSBox installation (you really need to consider moving to it), you need to set the program to run in "Windows 98 Compatibility Mode". This has been found to help prevent file corruption. You can set this by right-clicking on the start-up shortcut, selecting "Properties" and "Compatibility". Next, check the box under "Compatibility Mode" and then select "Windows 98 / Windows Me" from the drop-down list. Click on "OK" until the dialog box closes.
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13Q. When I run an estimate I get a "Variable MPG67 Not Found" error.
A. If this happens, find the ".FAD" and ".PI" (project number .FAD and project number.PI) files for the project in the EST_96/DATA folder and e-mail them in. We'll fix them and send them right back.
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14Q. When and how do I release Retainage for a Subcontractor (Notice to Bidders #11)?
A. According to the Notice to Bidders #11, when a subcontractor has completed 100% of the subcontracted work, the Prime Contractor is required to pay him 100% of the subcontract, including retainage. To accomplish this, the contractor and subcontractor complete the Notice to Bidders #11 form and forward it to the County Engineer. Use these NTB-11 Retainage Release instructions to release the retainage in the Estimate Program.
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15Q. When I restore a project, I get an error message stating that "File project.RET Not Found".
A. This is the one and only error message that you can safely ignore.
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16Q. When I go to print, I get an error message stating that "Variable ZPINIT Not Found" and other ZP variables are not found, too.
A. The printer identification file is corrupt. Go back to the print dialog box, select a different printer, then select your printer. The printer identification file will be re-built.
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17Q. The paper wants the Section 900 e-mailed to them, can the Estimate Program generate a file I can e-mail?
A. Although the Estimate Program does not contain something specifically designed to produce an e-mailable Section 900 file, it does produce a temporary file that certainly works! Here's how:

1. In the Estimate Program, view the Section 900 for the project in question.
2. Using WordPad (Start->Programs->Accessories->WordPad), Go to File->Open and nagivate to the EST_96\TEMP folder.
3. Select "Files of All Types (*.*)" from the "Files of type" drop-down list.
4. Find and open the file V-PRT.TMP. This is the Section 900 you just viewed. Save the file as a text file with a different file name.

18Q. This project uses RAP (recycled asphalt pavement), what percent do I use to figure the fuel adjustment percent mix?
A. Use the percent of the NEW Asphalt added.
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17Q. The program is DOUBLING the pay items. What do I do?
A. This happens from time-to-time and we really don't know why. Find the ".PI" (project number.PI) file for the project in the EST_96/DATA folder and e-mail it in. We'll fix it and send it right back.
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20Q. The project has a group of items ( ex. Traffic Signalization) that need to go "below" Roadway and Erosion Control. How do we do this?
A. You can control the order of the item types by adding spaces in from of the item descriptions in the "TY_ITEM1" column. This column is sorted "backwards" (Z-A), so by adding spaces you can control the order of the item descriptions.
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21Q. The project has the pay item "907-627-K". What do I get it to sort properly?
A. Currently, you can't, but we can. Find the ".PI" (project number.PI) file for the project in the EST_96/DATA folder and e-mail it in. We'll fix it and send it right back. If you have a number of these items in your Master Pay Item List files (PAY_LIST.CDX, PAY_LIST.DBF), you can also send those in and we will fix those, too.
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22Q. I'm setting up the Estimate Mat for a project and the vendor information isn't entered. When I use the Add selection (of Add/Edit/Retry), I get an "End of File Encountered" or some other error. What can I do?
A. This problem and a solution detailed in the Known Problems as Known Problem #3.
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