Problem

When using eDrawings or the PDM Preview tab, users may see an "Application Exception: Invalid Class" error. This is usually caused by a damaged Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI), so repairing SOLIDWORKS, eDrawings, or PDM typically will not help.

PDM Preview and eDrawings may fail to load files, leaving the viewing area blank or displaying a spinning circle. This article explains how to repair the affected Windows component and resolve the error.

Solution

1. First, confirm that the Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) is damaged by using Run (Win+R) and entering "wmimgmt.msc"

   

2. Once WMI is open, right-click on "WMI Control (Local)" and select "Properties"

   

3. If WMI is damaged, we should see "Failed to initialize all required WMI classes" in the General tab

   

4. Now that we have confirmed the damage, open Command Prompt with Administrative Permissions. In the Windows Start Menu, type "cmd" without quotation marks into the Windows search field, and right-click on the Command Prompt application to select "Run as administrator".

   

5. Use the CD command to change directories and step into C:\windows\system32\wbem. The full command is: CD C:\windows\system32\wbem

   

6. Copy the text from the attached "Commands to repair WMI.txt" or copy the commands listed below into Notepad, then cut them from Notepad (this will remove formatting that may prevent the commands from working correctly) and paste into Command Prompt:
   regsvr32 /s %systemroot%\system32\scecli.dll
   regsvr32 /s %systemroot%\system32\userenv.dll
   regsvr32 cimwin32.dll
   mofcomp cimwin32.mof
   mofcomp cimwin32.mfl
   mofcomp rsop.mof
   mofcomp rsop.mfl
   for /f %s in ('dir /b /s *.dll') do regsvr32 /s %s
   for /f %s in ('dir /b *.mof') do mofcomp %s
   for /f %s in ('dir /b *.mfl') do mofcomp %s
   regsvr32 wmisvc.dll
   wmiprvse /regserver  

7. We may get a couple of pop-ups confirming DLL registration; click ok in those. When done, go back and confirm the WMI properties now show "Successfully Connected to" in the General tab

   

8. Open eDrawings or the PDM Preview Tab to retest the issue to see if it is resolved

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