getting a "clean" re-install - how do you do it?

I have permanently lost my drawing toolbar.

So, I re-installed. I used windows un-install, then manually removed
anything that was left.

In the past, this always fixed errors like this.

I am not getting a "clean" re-install, however. My part,drawing, and
assembly templates are still present after re-installing.

That, and my drawing toolbar still isn't there.

(I've gotten around it by adding the buttons I need to a different
toolbar - it works, but it's a workaround).

Does solidworks write things in place other than the install directory,
and under: common files\solidworks?

So how to you get a perfectly clean re-install?

 

Yes, the Windows Registry. And the "common files" area.

Well, you could reformat your hard drive, but that's drastic. Still, I
tend to do that every 9-12 months just to get the junk out of there.
Windows is a "consumer grade" os, and we try to run "industrial
strength" software on it. Not a good combination.

The "easiest" way is to delete the SolidWorks entries in the registry.
The registry is kind of a dangerous thing to mess with if you're
reckless or clumsy, but if you're careful you'll be ok. In fact, doing
this you could probably avoid reinstalling altogether.

Make sure SW is not running when you do this. In fact, everything else
should be shut down as well.

Start > Run > regedit > HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\SolidWorks. Delete
it.

Restart SW, and you'll find that you're back to factory defaults.

Toolbox files are cleverly hidden at C:\Program Files\Common Files\
SolidWorks Data.

Templates are at C:\Program Files\SolidWorks\Data\Templates. If you
have special ones you use, I recommend a library location somewhere else
on your hard drive, and then use Tools, Options, File Locations to
direct SW to them.

 

Deleting the solidworks info from the registry did it.

I didn't even have to re-insall.

Thank you very much! You made my day!

 

In addition, Matt is probably one of the most generous SolidWorks users
who puts up much of his hints and tips on his website for everyone.

http://mysite.verizon.net/mjlombard/

His info is worth a good read and study.

After a year and a half without any significant maintenance on my Dell
M60 laptop (no Internet use), its time for serious preventive
maintenance. I reread my notes from this group and Matt's notes. Much
appreciated to all who contributed, I must honestly say. I couldn't
have done it as easily without you.

I am now about 10 hours into a new faster hard drive and install of
WinXP w/SP2. There must be nearly 2 dozen updaters from Dell
(w/requisite sets of sometimes poorly illogical dialog boxes, including
a forced Restart with almost all of them) with little comment on how
needed they are, though some are obvious, like trackpad and nVidia
drivers.

By the time I'm through (24 hours including all the downloads) with key
appl. installs and then paring down the uneeded services to get the
speed up and stability back in all things. It ought to be ready for
SWks 2005 at that time.

Then finally I'm going to have to duplicate that drive's contents (one
way or two) so I don't have to do that again in case of some massive
glitch.

Bo