Solution Number:
5995
Name:
Mac OS X 10.4.8 on Intel Macs, Rounding Error
Description:
Mac OS X 10.4.8 was released on Friday, September 29th. Installing this update on a Mac with an Intel processor that is running Big Business 5.1.0 or earlier causes rounding errors giving incorrect totals on most transactions.
This problem does not affect PowerPC computers (G3, G4, G5) or Intel machines that are running Mac OS X 10.4.6 or 10.4.7. It only affects Intel Macs that have been updated to 10.4.8.
This Solution provides information about this problem. (5995)
Status:
Picture:
Solution:
Apple released Mac OS X 10.4.8 on September 29, 2006. This update is available in Software Update, which is usually set to check for updates periodically or on restart, for all Macs running Tiger, Mac OS X 10.4 or higher.
Installing this update on a Mac with an Intel processor that is running Big Business causes problems. Intel processors are used in the newest Macs: new Minis, new iMacs, MacBooks, and Mac Pros. You can check whether your computer has an Intel processor by choosing the first entry in the Apple menu, About This Mac. If your processor is a PowerPC G3, G4, or G5 this problem will not affect you.
Running Big Business 5.1.0 or earlier on an Intel Mac with Mac OS X 10.4.8 produces rounding errors. Note in the picture that $4.95 becomes $4.96 making the totals incorrect. The error is inconsistent and does not affect the $4.90 item.
Big Business 5.1.1 was released September 30, 2006, to correct this problem. Big Business 5.1.1 detects the problem and does its rounding internally. It is a free update from any earlier version of Big Business 5. Links to the download page and updating instructions are provided below.
The Mac OS X 10.4.8 Update cannot be uninstalled. To revert your Intel Mac to 10.4.6 or 10.4.7, you would use the Mac OS X Install Disc to install the System anew, choosing the Archive and Install option when prompted to save the old one in case you need files from it afterwards. Big Business will re-create its Preference files, so you would not need to rescue any of its files from the old System folder.
Big Business 5.1.1 contains a few new features which are tested, but not complete in their feature set as they were rushed out the door. Auto-Import for example, saves import maps but does not include full automation yet. Alternate Item Codes lets you import or assign other part numbers for looking up Items, but does not have its intended Line Item Comment (e.g. Acme Part Number:123) option. Big Business 5.1.1 does solve the rounding problem above and contains other fixes and features as well.
Big Business 5.1.2 is being posted to fix addtional problems found by Intel users.
Related:
Big Business 5.1.2
Updating Big Business Server for Mac OS X
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