Problem

This article outlines the steps needed to move PDM Vault Archive Folders from one Server to another or from a local drive to another on the same system. This may be useful for the following scenarios: 

1. More disk space is needed
2. Hard drive issues that involve needing to change the hard drive
3. Server issues that involve needing to change the server

Solution 1: Archive Server Configuration Tool

1. Make sure everyone is logged out of the Vault and the Files do not have to be checked in
2. On the Archive Server, open the Archive Server Configuration Tool
3. On Windows 7 and Windows Server systems prior to Windows Server 2012: GO to Windows Start menu, select All Programs > SOLIDWORKS PDM > Archive Server Configuration
4. On Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 or later: On the Apps screen, under SOLIDWORKS PDM, click "Archive Server Configuration", right-click the Archive Server Icon in the system tray, and click "Open"

5. Click on "This Computer", then in the right pane of the screen, right-click on the required Vault and select "Relocate" as shown below

   

6. Click the "Browse" button, and select the folder we want to move the archive files to

   

7. With the new folder selected, click "OK"

   

8. We will see a pop-up warning. Make sure that there are no users currently accessing the vault; then we can click "OK" to start the relocation.

   

Solution 2: Windows Registry Editor

When going into the Registry Editor, do not modify or delete anything except what is listed below. If you do not feel comfortable performing the steps listed below, please contact Technical Support. 

1. Make sure everyone is logged out of the Vault and the files do not have to be checked in

2. Stop the Archive Server Service temporarily, as shown below

   

3. Move the vault archive folder to the new drive (i.e., the folder named as the file vault, containing 16 subfolders A-F)
4. Close all applications, including SOLIDWORKS

5. Open Windows Search, search for REGEDIT, and then hit Enter to open the Registry Editor

   

6. Update the server registry with the new path under: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\SolidWorks\Applications\PDMWorks Enterprise\ArchiveServer\Vaults\[vaultname]\ArchiveTable
7. Make sure each folder path is valid and points to the new location
8. If the original archive folder remains, please rename it or delete it to avoid the server accidentally still using that location

9. Restart the Archive Server Service as shown below.

   

Verify Solutions

Once the archives are moved, verify that the updates were successful by adding new files to the vault. They should be added without any archive errors. If you get an error, verify that you have updated the registry paths exactly as they should be. Also, try retrieving existing files (perform a clear local cache before using the Get function to ensure they are retrieved from the archive server).

Note: When moving the archives to a (non-local) network share location instead, use UNC paths. Also, change the archive server service logon account to a user account that has full local administration permissions on the archive server.

For additional support, existing customers can submit a ticket or new customers can contact Hawk Ridge Systems.