2 versions of SW & 2 Serial #'s?

[CLinn]

Hi folks.

I have a small business on the side doing design and drafting work. I use SW2005 because that's what my clients use. I just got a new project but it requires SW2006. The client is going to let me use one of their licenses to do the job.

Am I going to have problems with having 2 versions of SW on the same machine; both versions running different serial numbers?

Thanks.

Casey

 

[FrenchCAD]

As long as you do no error when you save each of your project I do not see why you would get any problem. I may be wrong though.

Cyril Guichard
Mechanical Engineer Consultant
France

 

[kcarpenter]

I'm not 100% positive, but I don't think you can have different SN's for two different versions. When you try to do the install of 2K6 it will look in your registry for the SN of your existing SW installation. If you were to change it I'd bet it would change your existing 2K5 SN to the new one you just put in thusly rendering it unusable.

Kevin Carpenter
CAD Systems Specialist
Invacare Corp.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

I believe you WILL have a conflict problem. You can have multiple versions of SW on a computer but, as far as I know, the versions have to use the original Key Code.


Helpful SW websites FAQ559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions FAQ559-1091

 

[CLinn]

Does anyone have any ideas how toget around these problems?

Casey

 

[looslib]

Dual boot may get around it.

While you have use of the 2006 license, use it for all of your work. It will allow you to use 2005 and 2006. When the 2006 project is finished, just go back to your 2005 license.


"Wildfires are dangerous, hard to control, and economically catastrophic."

Ben Loosli
Sr IS Technologist
L-3 Communications

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Yes ... upgrade your SW2005 version to SW2006. A serial number compatible with the original Key Code (of your purchased seat of SW05) will be issued to you. Then you will be able to have both SW05 & SW06 installed because you will be using the same Key Code.


Helpful SW websites FAQ559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions FAQ559-1091

 

[CLinn]

Does 2006 allow you to save as 2005? Most of my clients need 2005 files. As far as I'm aware, SW has never allowed the user to back-save like AutoCAD always has.

As for getting issued a serial number, I will be using the nuber and license from my new client for 2006. Will it for sure be compatable with my copy of 2005?

I guess worst case would be to do all the 2006 and have to reinstall 2005 later. I should be able to get the 2006 stuff done without effecting schedule on the 2005 too badly. That's not the ideal solution, but I might have to swing it.

Casey

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Alternatively, you can continue to work in SW05 for the new project. The clients SW06 will be able to open your SW05 models. If you need some of their SW06 models for "designing around" they can give you parasolid files which your SW05 should be able to open.


Helpful SW websites FAQ559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions FAQ559-1091

 

[CLinn]

CorBlimeyLimey: That's a great idea for half on the work. Half of the work is building onto their existing equipment. I'll suggest that to them for that part of the job. The other half of the job is mods to their existing parts, so I will need 2006 for that. But that will limit the time I would (potentially) not have access to 2005...definitely would save me from losing too much on schedule. Thanks for the idea!!

Casey

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

If you have the FeatureWorksadd-in, you could run the "feature recognition" on the clients SW06 parasolids and make the mod's using SW05. They will still be able to open the modified files, but will have to be careful of duplication.


Helpful SW websites FAQ559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions FAQ559-1091

 

[ctopher]

I suggest either the dual boot or use a separate pc.

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 05
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716

 

[Theophilus]

You definitely CANNOT get 2006 models back to 2005 format--so that won't work and it looks like your only way to do this is to have two installations.

Maybe it's time for a new (additional) computer? Perhaps it will pay for itself. Or, you can upgrade your own license of SW and simply use both 2005 and 2006 on your existing PC without the serial number conflict.

Jeff Mowry

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

Reason trumps all. And awe trumps reason.

 

[smcadman]

I have had SW04, SW05, SW06 on my computer without any problems. I don't remember the actual prompts you get whenever you put the CD in, but basically you can upgrade or new install. I just made each new install as Solidworks 2006, Solidworks Data 2006, etc.

Others here may know better, but it might automatically use your current serial number. I have never had to enter the serial numbers on the sequential installs, but then again they all had the same serial number.

Flores
SW06 SP3.0

 

[MElam]

Installing 06 will definately use your 05 SN. This should not be a problem unless you need different add-ins available.

You could possibly create .reg files that would swap the serial numbers when needed

 

[engAlright]

Further to MElam's post, this is the reg key for the license code:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\SolidWorks\Security]

"Serial Number"="[your serial number here]"

If you're not flipping between versions too much running a reg file to toggle this setting would be a solution. You may have to re-enter the appropriate REG code each time you switch...