stand alone installation

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Alignex, Inc. Revision B (11/06/2008)

SolidWorks 2009

Stand-Alone Installation


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Stand-alone or individual installation refers to installing SolidWorks on a single

workstation directly from source files. This is in contrast to an administrative image,

which is a method to centrally-manage multiple client installations.

Stand-alone installation requires a complete file set of the latest service pack (SP). These

files will be referred to as the source files. This file set is typically accessed in one of

three ways:

1. From the SolidWorks 2009 DVD placed into the users optical drive2. From a copy of the SW 2009 DVD contents placed on a network share3. From a complete download from the Customer Portal

a. Tip: Download only and share the downloaded source files on thenetwork

As of SolidWorks 2008, a subscription customer has the ability to download the entire

installation package from the Customer Portal. See the Customer Portal Guide.

Ensure the proper DVD is chosen per the workstation hardware and operating system.

Included is both a 32- and 64-bit version of the DVD.

The front end for installing SolidWorks is the Installation Manager. This is a small

application (sldim.exe) located in the folder \sldim\ within

the source files.

The SolidWorks Installation Manager allows users to install and manage the correct

SolidWorks products. The Installation Manager controls all products (.msi packages) so

they do not need to be installed manually. More information on the Installation Manager

can be found in a recent SW Tech Tip:

http://www.solidworks.com/sw/support/Tech_Tips/TT_InstallationManager.html

Be sure and complete the guide Preparing for SolidWorks Installation.

If there are any issues or error messages, these should be documented specifically.

One method is to capture this message by pressing the Print Screen button, then pasting

into a document. This will become valuable for troubleshooting. To expedite technical

support, you can copy the IM logs and email directly to [email protected]. These

logs record error messages and critical troubleshooting info. They will be found in

different locations depending on operating system:

WinXP: C:\Documents and Settings\\Application Data\IM

Vista: C:\Users\\AppData\Roaming\IM


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Place the DVD into the disk drive and the Installation Manager should Autoplay. If it

fails to start automatically, browse to the DVD drive via Windows Explorer. Locate the

folder \sldim\sldim.exe (or if you are executing from a downloaded file set).

Double-click the sldim.exe file to execute.

You will be prompted to enter your serial numbers. SolidWorks serial numbers (SN) are

sent via email to customers at time of initial purchase. You may also access them via the

Customer Portal (see Customer Portal Guide). The products that are eventually installedare based on which serial numbers are entered during this step. e.g. if a Simulation SN is

not entered, Simulation will only be installed if the SolidWorks SN equates to a Premium

license.

Ensure that additional serial numbers are entered if applicable by selecting the link If

you have other serial numbers from SolidWorks


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All serial numbers are now 24 digits. If a 16-digit serial number is entered, the next

screen will provide an update to the serial number. Keep this for your records! Most

stand-alone serial numbers begin with either 9000- or 0000- (network-based serial

numbers typically begin with 0010-). It may be possible that all SN are identical if they

are network-based (0010-).

Important: With a network-based SN, the license server must be updated to version

2009 before a license can be pulled for this new installation. If this is not completed, an

error message will appear when starting up SolidWorks that a license cannot be obtained.

The next thing the Installation Manger (IM) will check is a connection to the SolidWorks

servers:


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If this process takes more than several minutes, or if you get connection-related warningmessages, you might have issues with your network or firewall.

In general, a firewall needs to make exceptions to allow *.solidworks.com. If the IM

cannot connect to the SolidWorks server, a message box will appear giving an error

message.

Even if there is communication trouble, clicking cancel to a warning message will

bypass this step and allow continuation of the installation. Note that the appropriate add-

ins might need to be enabled manually in later steps if you skip this current step.

The SolidWorks server will communicate with the IM and determine the default

packages to install based on the serial numbers entered. It will also scan the local system

and detect existing SW installations.

The IM will also check for any available updates (Service Packs). For example,

installation is initiated from an SP0.0 DVD, but SP1.0 was recently released, the IM will

give the option to install the current version or download the updated version. Choosing

the updated version will stop the current installation, and download the new IM

package. This entire process will start again. This will also require new files to be

downloaded to complete the updated installation.


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Typically, a user will choose to continue installing the current version and also choose

Individual installation type.

Instead, a user may wish to download the newest package with a Download files

option and then share this downloaded package on the network for other users to install

from. The download option basically allows you to get an electronic version of the latest-

SP DVD.

After selecting an Individual installation, the system will perform a detailed scan of

existing products. It will prompt the user if an existing installation is found with two

options:


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The two Upgrade Options are upgrade (replace the older installation) or create a newinstallation. It is recommended to always create a new installation, this is a cleaner

installation for a major version updates. Complete the clean uninstall per the guide

Preparing for SolidWorks Install. If this is only an updated service pack, then upgrading

the current installation is acceptable.

The following page verifies what products (add-ins, extra applications) will be

installed/upgraded. If necessary, users may select the down arrows next to the category

to deselect or add products. Important: The install location is also set on this screen.

Alignex recommends setting this path to be version-specific (e.g. Program

Files\SolidWorks 2009 SP0).


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Ensure that all products are selected that need to be installed. One example is Simulation(formerly COSMOSWorks) which is somewhat buried in the Add-Ins list:


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After selecting Next there will be a prompt for license server if using a network-based

license. The format for this entry isport@host:

The next screen will prompt for the location of the Hole Wizard database and Toolbox

fastener library. This is sometimes referred to as the Common Data or SolidWorks Data

folder. Read the description on this page carefully, since this explains the three

installation options. If applicable, point this folder to a shared network location.

This location is typically a copy of the older-versions Toolbox.


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Again it is recommended to use a version-specific file path (e.g. \SolidWorks Data 2009SP0).

If installing from a downloaded file set, it is possible that the user may want to install

products that were not downloaded initially. In this case, the IM will download the

necessary files (or allow user to browse to an alternate location where the files may be

stored).

If a download is required to complete the installation (or if a download files option is

selected) the user will see the next screen indicating the estimated file size to download.

Attention should be paid to the download folder location. This is where the files will be

placed and these are the same files that may be shared out/copied via network.


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Note the option to Speed up downloads by using more network bandwidth. Thisshould be deselected if any download connectivity issues are encountered. Users are also

cautioned that this option seems to eat up a large portion of bandwidth on the network!


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At this point the IM will download any files that are required to complete the installation.

If there are any indications of network connectivity trouble (error messages or a large

number of retries) the user should verify that firewall settings are properly adjusted.

Depending on internet speed, this download may take several hours.

Ready to Install SolidWorks, you can delay if needed:


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After SolidWorks is installed, you may need to reboot the PC (depending on whichredistributables were installed). Verify by starting the program the installation was

successful.

Verify that all needed add-ins are available via Tools > Add-Ins. If an add-in was not

selected during the installation, it will not appear in this list. A user may modify the

installation via the Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs, which will take him/her back

through this process.

After installation, each standalone seat needs to be activated with SolidWorks within 30

days of installation. You will be prompted to proceed with activation the first time you

run SolidWorks, and each subsequent time if you choose to postpone activation. As ofversion 2007, there is no registration code required.

The new installation will have to be configured. This includes setting up file locations,

arranging toolbars, etc. It is not supported to apply SW2008 registry settings to SW2009.