Are you entering this information on Schedule A in the Cash Contribution Smart Worksheet ?

I dont use Basic, but in Professional we have to enter the figure in 2 boxes....do you see something similar to this in the 1040 worksheet?

Basic looks exactly the same. If I have no entries on the cash contributions smart worksheet, no errors. As soon as I enter a description and amount on the contributions worksheet, it flows to line 10a of 1040. Then line 10b (which is blank) is highlighted (in pink on my screen) indicating an error. If I enter $150, it calculates for a couple seconds and then gives an error message that there is an unacceptable value in 10b. I tried numerous amounts, all under $150, even tried entering "0" and it tells me I have an unacceptable value but it doesn't tell me what is unacceptable about it, i.e., too high, too low, etc. I'm thinking I should probably delete the file and start over.

Yes I am. If I have no entries on the cash contributions smart worksheet, no errors. As soon as I enter a description and amount on the contributions worksheet, it flows to line 10a of 1040. Then line 10b (which is blank) is highlighted (in pink on my screen) indicating an error. If I enter $150, it calculates for a couple seconds and then gives an error message that there is an unacceptable value in 10b. I tried numerous amounts, all under $150, even tried entering "0" and it tells me I have an unacceptable value but it doesn't tell me what is unacceptable about it, i.e., too high, too low, etc.

No, they do not itemize.

"As soon as I enter a description"

Description of what? This is for Cash/money only.

You have to enter the contributions in Sched A so it will flow to line 10a and then you enter the allowed amount on 10b                   if you don't have contributions - try deleting Ctrl+W the Sched A   see if that fixes your error

I was referring to the contributions worksheet. You enter a description (or recipient) and then an amount.