Error reading item 'ISTART' from file INCAR.

[handberg]

When I try to run VASP for a simple Si lattice, I get the error message:

vasp.4.6.28 25Jul05 complex
POSCAR found : 1 types and 2 ions
Error reading item 'ISTART' from file INCAR.
Error code was IERR=5 ... . Found N= 0 data.

The INCAR file I am using is as follows:

Code: Select all

      
      1 # Test: tutorial on Si atoms
      2
      3 ISTART = 0          # start from scratch
      4 ICHARG = 2          # 2 if ISTART = 0, else 0
      5 INIWAV = 1          # used when ISTART = 0
      6 NELM = 40           # max of 40 electronic steps
      7 NELMIN = 2          # minimum of 2 electronic steps
      8 NELMDL = -5         # if ISTART = 0, INIWAV = 1
      9 EDIFF = 0.1E-03     # stopping criterion for electronic updates
     10
     11 # recommended minimum setup from VASP 6.2.3
     12 PREC = Normal       # Normal precision
     13 LREAL = .FALSE.     # local coulomb interaction
     14 ENCUT = 300         # cutoff used throughout all calculations
     15 ISMEAR = 0          # 0: Gaussian, 1: Methfessel-Paxton, -5: tetrahed.
     16
     17 # from Denis
     18 ALGOL = fast        # fast algorithm
     19 ISPIN = 1           # spin polarized calculation
     20 LWAVE = .TRUE.      # write wavefunctions
     21 LCHARG = .TRUE.     # write charge densities

The ISTART parameter is first in the file. The file permissions are set so anyone can work with it (777). Any idea what is failing?

[admin]

hmm, looks strange.
-- Please check whether there may be some "hidden character" in your INCAR file (by typing "strings INCAR").
-- Another possibility may be that you have by error taken the letter O instead of zero (though it does not look like that on my screen)

[Katrina]

havd you got the solution ? I met the same question as yours

[lupo]

I had the same error message:
Error reading item 'ISTART' from file INCAR.
Error code was IERR=5 ... . Found N= 0 data.

In my case I found out that it has to do with the empty space between the tag (e.g. INCAR=0) and its comment.
However, when commenting, at least the first sign after a tag must be typed by the space bar and NOT by the tabulator key.

I hope it will help ..

[admin]

Problems with reading POSCAR file are often caused by hidden (usually unvisible) characters introduced via the "copy and paste" procedure. Try to retype critical lines by hand.