Two versions of Solidworks

Does anyone here know why I cannot install two versions of Solidworks
on one computer. I was hoping to run version 2004 and version 2005 on
the same machine. The second installation will not even boot up
properly, and the original version (2004) now runs with all kinds of
error messages, where in the past it was running flawlessly. I did
disable my virus protection as Solidworks warns, and I have had the
same results on both of my machines, and a notebook. Someone help me
on this please....
I am using Windows XP Corporate on both machines, with 1.5 GB RAM on
each, my notebook is a Toshiba Sattellite, 1 GB RAM
Thanks in advance,
David Malloy

 

I am able to run 2004 and 2005. I have 2004 in a "SolidWorks 2004"
dir, and 2005 in "SolidWorks 2005" dir. After installing 2005, it even
recognizes my macro toolbars and addins from 2004.

 

You should be able to run two versions on one computer. I've done it
several times.
I assume you installed each version as a stand alone. The only
difference I can see
is that I'm running Windows XP Professional.

 

I would really appreciate it if you would let me know if you get a
solution to your problem, as I have had the identical problem in the
past. I am using XP Pro, and am unable to have more than one version
on the same operating system without having tons of error messages and
crashes. When I tried it with Windows 2000, it was totally impossible,
it would crash at installation. With XP it is better, but still not
worth it for all the problems that it causes and all the work I have
lost as a result.

 

I run 2004, 2005 and 2006 on the same computer. As SW Monkey stated,
you must install them in their own folders. You also must take care of
where file locations are set to. If you start over-writing earlier
version files with newer versions, the older version will of course not
work properly.

 

I have had 2003 through 2006 installed simultaneously without a hitch.
What is XP Corporate? Haven't heard of that one.

 

I too have had similar problems to yours, along with several of my
classmates. We all use XP Professional in notebooks that we use both
in class and at home. I believe that we installed properly, in that we
installed the newer version to it's own folder. The only folder that
cannot be controlled by installation is the shared or common folder
which is automatically added to.
We all decided to call Solidworks for help and they were fairly clear
about "not recommending multiple installations", but were very
nebulous in their explanation to it all. The representative gave me
answers like "possible corruption of registry keys", and "dynamic link
library files conflicting with both Windows system files, and
Antivirus files", etc. In truth, I was more confused after the call
than before. In all, the bottom line here, from our experience is that
for all the problems that were caused as a result of two installations,
the lockups, crashes,bad warning messages, etc, it simply was not worth
the grief.
Good luck to you, though

Erika Layne

 

System files are supposed to be 100% backward compatible and AV is
supposed to be turned off during installs.