Problem

When borrowing a license through the SolidNetWork License Manager (SNL), a user may encounter an error saying “Could not borrow a license for SOLIDWORKS…. License BORROW support not enabled (-68,147,0)”. This article discusses causes and troubleshooting steps to resolve the problem. 

This error generally occurs with Activation Exempt Licensing when the SNL_ANY.TXT file in use is missing the Borrow =720 code. This line of code in the SNL_ANY.TXT file borrows the license for 30 days. When this code is missing from the file, the system prevents a user from borrowing the license and displays the error message.

Solution

If the network license is activation-exempt or set up on a triad (a form of activation-exemption), the SNL Manager will be using a license file. Try re-reading the license file through the SNL Manager: click "Reread" on the Server Administration tab.

If the issue persists, view the SNL log by clicking "View Log" on the Server Administration tab. Look for a line like:
DENIED: "solidworks" user@client-pc  (License BORROW support not enabled. (-68,564:10054 ""))

This indicates that the current license file does not allow borrowing. As noted in the SOLIDWORKS article QA00000120558, the license file must contain the string “BORROW=720” for each product in the file to allow borrowing. We can check this by opening the license file in a text editor. It should be in <SNL install dir>\licenses\sw_d.lic. WARNING: Do not try editing the file. This can cause the SNL Manager to stop functioning.

If the string is not present, contact Hawk Ridge Systems Technical Support to have a new file generated.

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