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If adding PDM to an existing install, do the following:
Open “Apps & Features”
Search for it
Or open “Settings” and navigate to it
Search for Solidworks and select “Modify”
Click “Yes” on the security prompt
Click “OK” on the pop-up asking for a reboot
You do not need to actually reboot
Select “Modify your installation” and click “Next”
On the Serial Number screen do not change anything, and click “Next”
Add “SOLIDWORKS PDM Client” and click “Next”
If a warning comes up, click “OK”
It’s possible this will cause issues. If this pops up and the installation ends up failing, please let us know for diagnosis and we can help.
Click “Download and Modify”
Click “Finish”
PDM is now installed!
Requesting an Account
Join #pdm in the NER Slack
Direct message Matthew McCauley in Slack asking to be added
Please make sure your name in Slack is how you’d like it as your PDM account name will be copied from the name and email you have in Slack
Please also provide your desired role
Administrator
Head
Engineer ← You’re most likely this one
Viewer ← If you’re on the business team or a guest to our server, you’re probably this one
Matt will message you back when you’re added!
PDM First-Time Login
We advise you first to change your password, and then proceed with installing the NER vault. This will walk you through that combined process.
Password Reset
Open the “Administration” tool
Hit the Windows key and search for it
Alternatively, assuming a default installation, it should be installed in “C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp\SOLIDWORKS PDM\” and is called “ConisioAdmin.exe”
In the top left, click “File” > “Add Server…”
In the pop-up window, enter our server address, nerpdm.coe.neu.edu, and click “OK”
In the next pop-up window, enter our resource credentials, and click “Log In”
User name: PDMUser
Password: Racecar228
Domain (should be default): nerpdm (local account)
Back in the main window, you should now see the nerpdm server and be able to expand to see our vaults. Double click on the “NER” vault
In the “NER” log in pop-up enter the credentials you were provided (shoutout to Emma for being the example), and click “Log In”
Your sidebar should now populate with options. Expand the “Users” menu, and you should see your own profile. Right click your name and click “Change Password…”
In the pop-up window you can now enter your old/temporary password and your new password
Click “OK” and you should be all set with a new password! Close out of the “Administration” tool as well
Installing a File Vault
Open the “View Setup” tool
Hit the Windows key and search for it
Alternatively, assuming a default installation, it should be installed in “C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp\SOLIDWORKS PDM\” and is called “ViewSetup.exe”
If prompted for administrator access, click yes (it should always ask)
Click “Next >”
Click “Add…” and in the pop-up window enter our server name, nerpdm.coe.neu.edu, then hit “OK”
In the next pop-up window, enter our resource credentials, and click “Log In”
User name: PDMUser
Password: Racecar228
Domain (should be default): nerpdm (local account)
The nerpdm server should now be added to the table, and you can click “Next >”
Check the box next to the vault(s) you are looking for (probably just “NER”) and click “Next >”
Select where to install and for who. This is entirely up to your preferences. Most users can just skip this and click “Next >”
Note: Files will be cached at this location, so if your goal is to install the vault onto an external drive, this is where you would do that.
Click “Finish” to start installing
In the pop-up, enter your vault credentials, then click “Log In”. The installation should now actually start
If install is successful you will see “Completed!” and can now click “Close”!
To confirm installation, navigate in File Explorer to the vault and double click it to enter
It should be located where you specified and may also be pinned to “Quick Access”
Upon entrance to the vault you should see PDM controls and icons within File Explorer
Basics of PDM
File Check-out & Check-in
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Sometimes firewall settings are too aggressive and prevent the vault from successfully installing. To fix this you can disable the firewall, complete the install, and then reenable the firewall after install is complete.
Jake’s Problem
Issue with Windows 11 where clicking on the PDM blueberry in file explorer either crashes the computer or creates an eternal loading wheel.
Fixes
Logout of PDM and restart your computer.
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2. Disable the quick access menu in file explorer. Remove/Disable/Clear/Turn off/Unpin/Stop Quick Access Windows 11 (minitool.com). Restart after doing so and try again.