New Computer MathCAD Won't Load 1

[zdas04]

I got a new computer (running XP Pro) this week and was trying to install MathCAD 13 from the original media and the install looks fine, but when I click on MathCAD 13 nothing happens. Watching the system monitor, there is no change in the number of processes running.

So, being the clever guy that I am, I went into Explorer and double clicked on a .mcd file and got the message:

Windows cannot find 'C:\Documents and Settings\David\My Documents\DehyCapacity.mcd'. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again. To search for a file, click the Start button, and then click Search

The message didn't mean anything to me since I didn't type the name in. So I tryed a .xmcd file and got the exact same message (with a different file name).

In frustration, I uninstalled MathCAD 13 and reinstalled it (thinking that something I installed after I installed MathCAD might have stomped on MathCAD's file types or registry entries). No joy. So I went into Control Panel and Add/Remove programs and hit "change" to repair the installation. No joy. I've run a computer optimizer to look for busted registry keys. No Joy.

I went to PTC.com to look for updates, but that is simply the worst website on the planet. I finally found a place to set up an account, but then it said my account lacked priveleges. When I said maybe I'd pay for privleges it took me to an upgrade page (i.e., you have to have privleges to buy privlges). I sent them an e-mail, but don't have high hopes for that one.

Anyone have any other ideas?

David

 

[IFRs]

Can you click on the executable in the MathCAD program files folder?

 

[IFRs]

Did you have administrative privileges when you installed MathCAD, did you install for all users?

 

[zdas04]

Yes, I clicked on the executable in the Program Files Folder, same result.

Yes I have administrative privileges and installed it for all users.

I just discovered that the install process didn't create the CDilla directory so I copied it off a backup of my old computer. No joy. I just tried deleting the whold MathCAD directory in Program Files and reinstalling, nothing.

Called PTC. Finally discovered that MathCAD 13 NEVER works when it is installed over top of XP Pro Service Pack 3. Sometimes it works if MathCAD 13 is installed when the machine is upgraded to XP SP3, but never the other way. I'm downloading V14 now.

David

 

[israelkk]

Change the system defaults to llow the viewing of hidden and read only files, forlders and system files and forldrs. This ,ay allow Mathcad to install the files. I had a problem upgrading it the the Msn live Messenger because the system didn't allow writing to hidden folders.

 

[zdas04]

I do that within the first five minutes of getting a new computer. PTC say it can't work no matter what I do.

David

 

[monkeydog]

Looks like another way for PTC to arm twist you into upgrading to 14 - don't fix the bug that won't let you install in the latest version of XP Pro.

 

[zdas04]

Just got it installed and M020 loaded my most complex sheet without a problem (early release woudn't calculate it at all, all the fields were blank). Maybe I won't hate it. Upgrade was $100.

David

 

[monkeydog]

zdas04,

Have been hearing a lot of negative comments on the collab site, even a dedicated thread on Mathcad 14 bugs.

I would like to hear if it works out for you.

Thanks

 

[zdas04]

After about 3 hours work, I don't hate it. I regularly do thngs like:

x:dog*cat^mouse
x=___

and now I can do:

x:dog*cat^mouse=___

all on one line, it looks a lot cleaner and seems pretty cool. Haven't used it on any paying work yet so I'll know about its real capabilities when I know.

David

 

[IRstuff]

M14 is tolerable, considering the depth to which M12 sank. Nonetheless, my preference is M11, which, for the simple stuff I do, runs about 2 times faster.

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[PNachtwey]

I just tried to re-install Mathcad 13 on WinXP SP3. It appeared to install correctly but when I started up the program it said I had an invalid license. I am going to call PTC tomorrow to see why my license number will not work.
What a pain. I wish there was a translator to convert Mathcad files to wxMaxima, Maple or Mathematica. A lot of our intellectual property is in Mathcad13 format. I can't go back to Mathcad 11. Fortunate there are other people at work that have Mathcad but I have over 1000 files of about 6-10 pages. That is a lot to convert.

Peter Nachtwey
Delta Computer Systems

http://www.deltamotion.com

 

[zdas04]

Good luck with the call. The person I talked to was really nice, and quite apologetic about it, but very firm that V13 will not install on top of XP SP3. Ever. If it is installed, it keeps working if you go to SP3, but if SP3 is already there you are Out of Luck.

I ended up getting V14 for $99 and I don't hate it. It actually seems pretty solid (a couple of sheets that would not open with the early versions of 14 opened just fine).

I hated being held up for a hundred dollers, but I needed the program more than my anger was worth.

David

 

[monkeydog]

zdas04,

A month later and your head is not spinning.
Thanks for the update.

 

[PNachtwey]

I can't use Mathcad 14 for many workshets. The symbolic solver isn't as good as the one on Mathcad 13. I do a lot of symbolic processing and push Mathcad to the limits. One of the people at work got V14 and he can't run the many of my more complicated symbolic worksheets.

I will need to reinstall WinXP to SP2 install Mathcad 13. That is a about 6 hours wasted. If Mathcad14 could do what Mathcad 13 does then $99 is worth it to save the time.

So how did you get the upgrade of $99? It may be best to get V14 for now and go back to V13 when I have time to reinstall or have the need.


Peter Nachtwey
Delta Computer Systems

http://www.deltamotion.com

 

[zdas04]

Is your collegue using V14 M020? I'm doing some pretty hard core multi-variable equation solving and it works fine.

When I called PTC the guy I talked to gave me a link, I tried to find it in my browser history, but it was too long ago.

David

 

[PNachtwey]

I am going to try to remove SP3 and re install Mathcad V13. I have this

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950249

Hopefully this will work so I don't need to spend all day nuking and paving and then reseting my computer up.

Mathcad V14 isn't as good as Mathcad V13 when it comes to doing symbolic processing. The solver changed between V13 and V14.

Lately I have been using wxMaxima more. It isn't as pretty but text is easy to enter. It takes a while to learn wxMaxima. I have been using Mathcad since V4 so it is the devil I know.

Peter Nachtwey
Delta Computer Systems

http://www.deltamotion.com

 

[IRstuff]

MuPad has extensive differences with Maple. In some cases, it's better, in others, it's not.

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[PNachtwey]

I finally removed WinXP SP3 and tried to install Mathcad again. I still got the same error message saying my Mathcad serial number is invalid. Fortunately I had backed up my WinXP so I simply had to restore it. The backup, reinstallation of Mathcad and restoration back to WinXP SP3 wasted about 3 hours. At least I have a backup to show for the time wasted. I will probably need to do this again. At least I have the back up out of the way. It is clear that removing SP3 will also break many other program and they will need to be reinstalled which will take time.

Is your collegue using V14 M020?

Yes, he keeps his system upgraded and checked again when the V13 files didn't work.

I'm doing some pretty hard core multi-variable equation solving and it works fine.

It depends on what you call hard core. The systems of equations doesn't to have a lot of equations or variables be unsolvable symbolically.



Peter Nachtwey
Delta Computer Systems

http://www.deltamotion.com

 

[zdas04]

You are right. I ran into a a pretty simple equation last week that I was trying to solve symolically and V14 couldn't do it. I did the first 4 steps manually and it still couldn't do it. I ended up solving it by hand.

David