maximum likelihood estimation

[newbee]

Hello, I need to estimate the parameters of a non-linear function simultaneously. I have the logistic function describing the cumulative probability of the observations but I do not know hot to use it in EViews (I have version 5). Can somebody help me? Thank you in advance.

[EViews Gareth]

You probably need to use the LogL object. The best thing to do is look it up in the User Guide or Help system, and give it a try.

[newbee]

I tried LOGL but when I ran the estimation I got the message "WARNING: Singular covariance - coefficients are not unique". I suppose the problem is in the starting values of the coefficients.
How can I bring EViews to run through different combinations of starting values for the parameters, make estimations and report the results?
Is there an easier solution?

[EViews Gareth]

You could write a program that loops through different values of starting values before estimation. Keeping track of which estimations "worked" and which didn't would be tricky though.

[newbee]

Right, thank you for your help.