Re: st: lcolor not allowed

[Michael Hanson <mshanson@mac.com>]

On Aug 15, 2007, at 12:12 PM, Davide Cantoni wrote:

> Thank you, Sergiy, for your suggestion. Alas, here's the result:
>
> . clear
>
> . sysuse auto
> (1978 Automobile Data)
>
> . twoway line l w, lc(red)
> option lc() not allowed
> r(198);
	Those two lines execute without error with Stata 9.2 on two Macs I  
tried (one with OS X 10.4.10 and one other with 10.4.9), so the  
problem is specific to your particular machine.  What type of Mac do  
you have, and which OS version?  Are you using a language other than  
U.S. English?

	To echo Sergiy's questions:  When did you start noticing this  
problem?  When was the last time that graph options worked in this  
Stata installation?  What modifications have you made to your Mac  
since then?

	Given that your reported problem persists, I would recommend the  
following steps -- from least to most intensive/invasive/disruptive  
-- to try to sort our your problem:

1. Check that your Mac installation is up-to-date by typing -update  
query-.  You suggest you have already done this step, but it would be  
helpful to confirm that you get the same results as below (for Stata  
9.2), particularly with regard to the dates:

. update query
(contacting http://www.stata.com)

Stata executable
    folder:               /Applications/Stata/
    name of file:         StataSE
    currently installed:  20 Jul 2007
    latest available:     20 Jul 2007

Ado-file updates
    folder:               /Applications/Stata/ado/updates/
    names of files:       (various)
    currently installed:  20 Jul 2007
    latest available:     20 Jul 2007

Recommendation
    Do nothing; all files up to date.


2. Confirm that you have the most recent versions of "twoway.ado" and  
"graph.ado" on your Mac.  Confirm the following commands in Stata:

. which twoway
/Applications/Stata/ado/base/t/twoway.ado
*! version 1.1.1  23jan2004

. which graph
/Applications/Stata/ado/base/g/graph.ado
*! version 1.1.6  08jan2005

If these version numbers and dates are different but the locations  
are the same, you should reinstall Stata from the original media --  
something is likely corrupted.  (But see #7 below first.)  If the  
locations are also different, then check your -adopath-:  it may be  
that some other programs are being called instead of the standard  
graphics ones.  If so, fix the path.


3. Quit and relaunch Stata.  If you have a "profile.do" file, move it  
aside (or rename it) before relaunching Stata.


4. Log out, log back in, and relaunch Stata.  Do not run another  
other programs before testing for your error in Stata.


5. Create a new user account, and try running Stata from it.  In  
particular, if the simple graphing example given by Sergiy runs in  
the new user account, then something is wrong with your current  
account:  perhaps your Stata preferences are corrupted.  In that  
case, you need to figure out what is the problem with your current  
account.  That, however, is not a Statalist question.  If you still  
have a problem....


6. "Safe boot" your Mac and then try Stata.  Restart your Mac,  
holding down the "Shift" key until you see the login window with the  
words "Safe Boot" shown.  (Note:  depending on your Mac, this could  
take a full minute or two to complete -- don't let up on the shift  
key!)  If this solves your problem, you may be running some sort of  
input manager, kernel extension, "haxie", etc. that is interfering  
with your use of Stata in some novel fashion.  I really doubt this is  
the issue (and frankly, I'm not certain Stata will run on a safe- 
booted Mac -- although I suspect it should), but if you've gotten  
this far....


7. If none of these steps fix your problem, you should probably check  
your Mac for hard disk corruption, and fix it BEFORE you re-install  
Stata.  Boot your Mac from the System Installation CD or DVD that  
shipped with it.  Once you get to the main window of the Installer,  
select "Disk Utility" from the "Utilities" menu.  (Note:  I am  
recalling these commands from memory, so they may not be exactly  
correct.)  Fix any directory damage that might be indicated, then  
restart your Mac.  Install all the latest system-related Software  
Updates, reboot, then reinstall Stata from the original media.


8. If all that still doesn't fix your problem, you almost certainly  
need to talk with Stata Corp's technical support staff.  If you've  
noticed any other programs acting strangely, you may need to re- 
install the OS.  Definitely not a question for either Statalist or  
Stata Corp's technical support, however.


	Hope this helps.  Once you find the cause of your problem, please  
report it back to Statalist for future reference.

                                        -- Mike


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