Photoworks

I can't seem to activate the Photoworks plug-in. When I try to turn it on,
the box comes up for me to enter the serial number; and the program locks
up. Does it require internet access? The machine that I have installed on
is a company machine and we do not have internet access; my employer is very
techno-paranoid. Any information would be very helpful. My boss seems to
think that I am not doing something correctly, but I have followed all of
the recommended steps. I have not had any problems with any of the other
plug-ins. Thanks.

 

Sorry forgot to mention: Solidworks 2004 on Windows XP Pro

 

Robert,

What happens when you enter the serial number ???? Do you have the number
???

Photoworks is an extra cost option. I think you may me able to install it
even if you don't have the number, but it won't work. You can purchase the
license from your VAR. I think it's around $500.00 - $600.00 U.S..


Regards

Mark

 

If you have Solidworks Office it is included but if you have only Solidworks
it is an extra addin. If you are going to spend the 600 you might want to
pay a little bit more and get office.

Corey

 

It is Solidworks 2004 Office Professional. Yes I have the serial number and
we did pay for the Photoworks add-on.

When I try to enable Photoworks, the program shows the dialog box to enter
the serial and then freezes. I have to Ctrl-Alt-Delete to end the program.
I suspect that you must have internet access to activate Photoworks, but I'm
not sure.

 

Robert,

You could be right. If web access is "reguired" it's a terrible PR move on
the part of SW. It's also mega dumb. Many large companies don't allow
internet access to employees. Or they have their firewalls set up to deny
certain kinds of connections initiated from the inside.

Regards


Mark

 

Robert,

Just unplugged my network cable and PW still works. So if internet access is
required, it's for activation only. Still,,, it really stinks. You paid for
that stuff !! There shouldn't be any restrictions like this.

Regards

Mark

 

Robert:

Don't try to install Photoworks as a separate add in. Instead,
reinstall SolidWorks, and do a "Modify", select the SolidWorks Office
Pro installation, don't just install SolidWorks. You don't have a
separate reg code or serial number for Photoworks, it's all bundled
together with Office Pro.

matt

 

Now I'm confused. I did install it as SW Office Pro. I chose to do a full
install of all of the options, but I still have to enter the serials for
each of the plug-ins as I activate them. When I mentioned that my
supervisor should contact the VAR, he stated that I must be doing something
incorrectly and became very irate. I've been building computers and
installing software for several years. I have followed the installation
routine to the letter. Any other suggestions?

 

Call your VAR. It won't cost you anything, and they're paid to be patient
with new users.


If you picked "all the options", you probably installed Piping, or Routing
I guess it's called now. That would ask you for a serial number even if
you had installed the rest of it correctly. Routing is not part of SW
Office Pro. The easy fix would be to go to Tools, Addins and turn off the
routing add in. The more complete solution would be to do a Modify
installation, and turn off the Routing.


Or you could uninstall and reinstall.

matt

 

Robert,

Could it be that you only have "office" and not "office pro" ??

Anyway, no offence, but it sounds like you installation is completly FUBAR.

At this point, the best thing to do is uninstall SW completely. Then you
want to remove all of the SW2005 registry entries under "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE"
& "HKEY_CURRENT_USER"

If you have other versions of SW installed, make sure you only delete the
2005 keys.

Example: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Solidworks\Solidworks 2005

Only delete the "Solidworks 2005" folder/key. The reason for this is SW
keeps registration data in the "local machine" keys. If you install over it,
it will pick up those settings and you'll be right back where you started.
Sometimes, like if SW was never sucessfully launched, the uninstall will
remove the registry stuff.

If you have Win XP SP2, you'll have to revert to SP1. Most of the problems
associated with SP2 are installation related. SW won't support XP SP2 until
SW2004 SP5 and SW2005 SP1.

Lastly, make sure you're installing the right product. If it's "SW office"
check the appropriate box and go. DO NOT SELECT THE CUSTOM BOX and change
anything. The same applies if it's "SW office pro". Make SURE real-time
virus checking is disabled.

If you have a new machine with XP Pro SP2, and there is no way to revert to
SP1, I don't know what to tell ya. I guess you'll just have to wait, bummer.


Good Luck


Mark

 

Could it be that you only have "office" and not "office pro" ??

I doubt that would be the issue Mark since PhotoWorks comes with SW "Office"
and "Office Pro" as well. But I agree with the rest of your suggestions.
Sounds like a complete reinstall is in order.

 

I went one step further today. I did a complete re-format of the hard drive
and started fresh; the guy who had this PC before me had too much junk on
it. After I got everything up and running, I re-installed Solidworks 2004
Office Pro and I am still having the same results with Photoworks. I give.

 

wow... sumpin fuktdup?

BTW, this suggestion my sound silly but, if you have a firewall running,
disable it when installing SW Office Pro or the PW addin and see what
happens? Also, you are installing as an administrator or have full
administrator rights, correct?

...

 

Check with your var your registration key may be only for SolidWorks not
pro. When we upgraded to Office all they did was give me a new reg key.
Call your VAR for pete sake. Look their number up.

Corey

 

Could someone physically disconnect their internet access and try to enable
the Photoworks add-in? By enable I mean that it was enabled before.

 

Ooops, I meant "not enabled before".