The MCS runs on both the PC and Mac computers. Development on the PC and Mac are parallel so that no differences should be noted except perhaps very small differences in significant figures for some numerical values (far smaller than model uncertainty). These arise due to machine differences in handling floating-point operations and the vagaries of different OS. The MCS codes and documentations undergo periodic upgrades to fix minor bugs, add graphical and post-simulation codes and to make major upgrades. This page is the link to the current version for download (PC and Mac).
MCS Downloads
Instructions immediately below refer to system requirements and peculiarities associated with Excel on the Mac and the PC.
Full download of the MCS- PC version and the MCS- Mac version follows below. The installation instructions for both operating systems are included in the downloaded content. It is necessary that the user has administrative rights for successful installation of the MCS package.
The user does not need access to 'stand-alone' MELTS to run MCS. If you wish to learn more about the MELTS suite of codes, more information may be found here.
MAC AND PC OPERATING SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:
- The document 'MCS_System_Requirements.docx" summarizes the versions of Mac OS, Windows (PC) and Excel compatible and incompatible with MCS, as reported by MCS users.
IMPORTANT: If your version of Mac OS or Excel does not work with the MCS code, please contact your local IT Support or downgrade your version of Mac excel. You can find more information on how to revert to an earlier version of Mac excel here.
The following links contain the MCS code download for Mac OS and Windows PC users as well as prepopulated input and output files that illustrate the use of MCS for a variety of processes.
MCS Mac Download
A step by step installation instruction document may be found in the downloaded package shown above or here.
A MCS installation tutorial may be found in the videos tab section of this website.
MCS Mac Troubleshooting
For a list of frequently reported problems by MCS Mac OS users and instructions on how to fix them, please download the following document.
MCS PC Download
A step by step installation instruction document may be found in the downloaded package shown above or here.
Any modern version of Excel will suffice. Follow these instructions:
- Download the MCS_PC zip.
- Extract it to a folder on your C: drive, under your documents tree.
- Use Excel security to insure that folder is a trusted location (this is recommended for the more recent Excel versions).
- Read the included Installation instructions to complete the MCS setup.
MCS PC Troubleshooting
For a list of frequently reported problems by MCS PC users and instructions on how to fix them, please download the following document.
MCS CODE & WEBSITE UPDATE HISTORY
- June 1, 2021: Trace element engine updated to fix a potential bug of missing a wallrock phase before AFC starts.
- June 1, 2021: Negative d18O input allowed in MCS Trace Elements and Isotopes
- June 1, 2021: Mac MCS Trace Elements and Isotopes compile error on selecting an archive fixed.
- Sept 1, 2021: Oxygen fugacity control illustrated in revision MES_AFC_R30Prototype_ August 2021
- Sept 7, 2021: Code and documentation page of website updated. MCS downloaded packages updated to reflect the latest MES files, including oxygen fugacity control.
MCS: Reading MES & Output: PC and Mac
MCS Reading MES & Output: PC and Mac
CUMULATE/RESIDUAL WALLROCK MCS CALCULATION TOOL: PC and Mac
MCS CALCULATION TOOL: PC and Mac
MCS CALCULATION DESCRIPTION: PC and Mac