I am wondering if there is anyway to default the work offset to :0 instead of :-1

I am having a problem with X4 dropping chains after the file has been closed for a while. I have had this problem with 9,X,X2, but x4 seems to be doing it all the time. If I go back to the file to make a edit it comes in sometimes opens up all dirty. Sometime it regen's ok and sometimes I got to rechain most of the operations. It's making editing a nightmare. Now a New thing that has been happening. It opens all clean, but if I open a operation it drops the chain or creates a partial chain. It's most likely something I'm doing, but haven't a clue what it is. Any suggestions

I need to find out how you come up with posted file length in inches to create proper segment lengths for a accramatic 950 control. The program needs to be broken into segments if it exceeds roughly 840feet of tape. thank you in advance.