Problem

While working with PDM, users may run into one or more issues that will require further investigation. These could include, but are not limited to, performance issues, disconnects, missing notifications, and/or cryptic error messages. The PDM Administration tool constantly records any major issues in these logs, which also contain additional information about any instance of error. This article goes over how to obtain the PDM client and archive server log files.

The client log AND the archive server log can both be retrieved from the PDM client. All PDM clients have the PDM Administration tool installed on them.

Solution 1: PDM Clients 2022 and Newer

We can obtain the Client log file by following these steps:

1. Open the PDM Administration Tool (Windows Start Menu > SOLIDWORKS PDM > Administration)
2. Expand Local Settings

3. Right-click on Log File and then click "Open" 

   

4. Select the Save icon

   

5. Select the Log File type (.cog) and save the file somewhere convenient

   

6. Open the SOLIDWORKS PDM Administration tool again

7. Right-click on the Server name and select "Show the Archive Server Log"

   

8. Select the Save icon (see image in previous section)
9. Select the Log File (.cog) type and save the file somewhere convenient (see image in previous section)
10. Send the files to Technical Support by submitting a ticket

Solution 2: PDM Clients Older than 2022

We can obtain the Client log file by following these steps:

1. Open the PDM Administration Tool (Windows Start Menu > SOLIDWORKS PDM > Administration)
2. Expand Local Settings

3. Right-click on Log File and then click "Copy" as illustrated below

   

4. Browse to any folder location on your computer and click Paste to save the .cog file
5. Open the PDM Administration tool again

6. Right-click on the Archive server name and click "Show the Archive Server log" as illustrated below

   

7. In the Log File dialog box, click "Copy log file" from the toolbar as illustrated below.

   

8. Browse to any folder location on your computer and click Paste to save the .cog file
9. Send the files to Technical Support by submitting a ticket

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