Problem

This article goes over how to install a PDM Client on a computer that does not have SOLIDWORKS and will not have any SOLIDWORKS serial numbers. This is most often true in the case of a PDM Viewer License. There are two basic ways to install this: the first is to use the SOLIDWORKS Installation Wizard without a serial number, while the other uses the PDM client installer located in the full set of installation media.

Solution 1: SOLIDWORKS Installation Wizard Method

1. Launch the SOLIDWORKS Installation Wizard (setup.exe) from the installation media set or from the installer downloaded from the SOLIDWORKS Website

2. On the first page, select "Install on this computer" 

   

3. On the next page, we will see a place to enter serial numbers. Confirm that no serial numbers are showing (if there were prior installations of SOLIDWORKS, we may need to remove the serial numbers), uncheck the box next to 3D CAD, and click "Next"

   

4. Click "OK" to proceed without a Serial Number, and if a serial number was removed, confirm its removal

   

5. On the Product Selection page, eDrawings and the SOLIDWORKS PDM Client need to be checked. Other products are optional. After making selections, click "Next".

   

6. On the Summary page, confirm the PDM Client type. Be sure to change it to your correct PDM Product (Professional or Standard) and select "SOLIDWORKS PDM Viewer" to use the Viewer Client Type.

   

7. After accepting the terms of use, select "Install Now"
8. Once installed, set up the Vault View as normal.
9. Launch eDrawings and accept its license agreement so the PDM Preview tab will work as expected

Solution 2: Direct Install from the SWPDClient folder of the installation media

This process is more in-depth, as it manually installs the prerequisite software and eDrawings.

1. Open the SOLIDWORKS Installation folder
2. Install all the C++ Redistributables located in the VCRedist# folders found in: Installation Location\SOLIDWORKS 20XX SP0X.X\PreReqs
3. Install the .NET Framework located in the dotNetFx folder: Installation Location\SOLIDWORKS 20XX SP0X.X\PreReqs\dotNetFx
4. Install the ODBC Driver located in the ODBCSQLDriver## folder: Installation Location\SOLIDWORKS 20XX SP0X.X\PreReqs
5. Install the PDM Client using the setup.exe or SOLIDWORKS PDM Client.msi located in the SWPDMClient folder: Installation Location\SOLIDWORKS 20XX SP0X.X\SWPDMClient
6. Install eDrawings using the setup.exe or eDrawings.msi located in the eDrawings folder: Installation Location\SOLIDWORKS 20XX SP0X.X\eDrawings

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