PDM is the software provided directly by Dassault Systèmes (makers of Solidworks) for file sharing & data management. We utilize this program for storage of all mechanical CAD files.

Installing PDM

If you are starting a brand new installation just ensure that PDM Client is checked off, as shown in step 7.

If adding PDM to an existing install, do the following:

1. Open “Apps & Features”

   1. Search for it

      Open

      

   2. Or open “Settings” and navigate to it

2. Search for Solidworks and select “Modify”

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3. Click “Yes” on the security prompt

4. Click “OK” on the pop-up asking for a reboot

   1. You do not need to actually reboot

       

5. Select “Modify your installation” and click “Next”

    

6. On the Serial Number screen do not change anything, and click “Next”

    

7. Add “SOLIDWORKS PDM Client” and click “Next”

    

8. If a warning comes up, click “OK”

   1. 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.

9. Click “Download and Modify”

    

10. Click “Finish”

     

PDM is now installed!

Upgrading to Professional

Follow the same steps as above, just edit the PDM Client options and switch to Pro!

Requesting an Account

1. Join #pdm in the NER Slack

2. Direct message the Chief Mechanical Engineer in Slack asking to be added (please do not use #pdm to request an account)

   1. 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

   2. Also make sure your Northeastern email is used for Slack

3. Max will message you back when you’re added!

Installing a File Vault

1. Open the “View Setup” tool

   1. Hit the Windows key and search for it

   2. Alternatively, assuming a default installation, it should be installed in “C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp\SOLIDWORKS PDM\” and is called “ViewSetup.exe”

2. If prompted for administrator access, click yes (it should always ask)

3. Click “Next >”

    

4. Click “Add…” and in the pop-up window enter our server name, nerpdm.coe.neu.edu, then hit “OK”

    

5. In the next pop-up window, enter our resource credentials, and click “Log In”

   1. User name: PDMUser

   2. Password: Racecar228

   3. Domain (should be default): nerpdm (local account)

       

6. The nerpdm server should now be added to the table, and you can click “Next >”

    

7. Check the box next to the vault(s) you are looking for (probably just “NER”) and click “Next >”

    

8. Select where to install and for who. This is entirely up to your preferences. Most users can just skip this and click “Next >”

   1. Note: If using VLAB, you must click “Browse…” and select the “Temp” folder.

   2. 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.

       

9. Click “Finish” to start installing

    

10. In the pop-up, enter your vault credentials, then click “Log In”. The installation should now actually start

     

11. If install is successful you will see “Completed!” and can now click “Close”!

     

12. To confirm installation, navigate in File Explorer to the vault and double click it to enter

    1. It should be located where you specified and may also be pinned to “Quick Access”

        

    2. Upon entrance to the vault you should see PDM controls and icons within File Explorer

        

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

1. Open the “Administration” tool

   1. Hit the Windows key and search for it

   2. Alternatively, assuming a default installation, it should be installed in “C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp\SOLIDWORKS PDM\” and is called “ConisioAdmin.exe”

2. In the top left, click “File” > “Add Server…”

    

3. In the pop-up window, enter our server address, http://nerpdm.coe.neu.edu , and click “OK”

    

4. In the next pop-up window, enter our resource credentials, and click “Log In”

   1. User name: PDMUser

   2. Password: Racecar228

   3. Domain (should be default): nerpdm (local account)

       

5. 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

    

6. In the “NER” log in pop-up enter the credentials you were provided (shoutout to Emma for being the example), and click “Log In”

    

7. 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…”

    

8. In the pop-up window you can now enter your old/temporary password and your new password

    

9. Click “OK” and you should be all set with a new password! Close out of the “Administration” tool as well

Basics of PDM

File Check-out & Check-in

{Tell @Casey Sauer or @Sofia Varner to update this}

Troubleshooting

Failed to obtain a license…

If you see this error:

You probably are not on the NU network. Please join NUWave or turn on the NU VPN.

Could not log in to the database…

If you see this error:

You probably are not on the NU network. Please join NUWave or turn on the NU VPN.

Blue Folders (Off-line Mode)

My folders are all blue!

You are in Off-line mode. This is used to work on files without internet access (How to Work Offline with SOLIDWORKS PDM).

To exit, go to Tools > Work On-line. You will probably be prompted to sign in again.

Access is denied.

This issue occurs due to security settings on certain folders within Windows. This issue varies for people depending on how your computer installed Windows (there are different tiers of “security”).

Generally speaking, this issue is fixed by ensuring you install your vault (Installing a Vault, Step 8) in a folder where you have write permission

• Ensure it is under your user, or hard drive

• Not a cloud backed up folder

• Not a system folder

Firewall Problem (Idk what the exact error was)

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.

Crashing/Freezing on Windows 11

Issue with Windows 11 where clicking on the PDM blueberry in file explorer either crashes the computer or creates an eternal loading wheel.

Fixes

1. Go to File Explorer Options (open File Explorer → click the 3 dots at the top → click “Options”). Open the “View” tab and check the box that says “Launch folder windows in separate process” (you might need to scroll a tiny bit). Click “Apply”. Now when you open file explorer, you should be prompted with the PDM sign in window. If you just close it, File Explorer should go back to working as it is supposed to.

2. Logout of PDM and restart your computer.

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.

The source folder is not versioned properly (2022)

Solidworks likes to see a text file with a special name that just contains the version of Solidworks the installer is from. If you see this error you can just drop in a new file with the correct contents!

This one is for SW22 SP2.0, but you can edit it with Notepad and change the name inside to whatever version your installer is.

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Un-deletable Vault View

Sometimes, rarely, you may glitch out your vault so badly that when you attempt to uninstall it it only partially uninstalls. In this case, the following guide could be used to ensure a full uninstall:

Socket was closed gracefully on the other end

This may be caused by a few things, primarily version mismatch. Check that your Solidworks client is the right version for the vault you are accessing!