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Copy Settings Wizard Restore Problem

Question asked by 1-D2DSAQ on Feb 22, 2009
Latest reply on Mar 24, 2009 by Anna Wood

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As administrator of Solidworks at my company, I set up a SolidWorks Standards directory and mapped out all templates, tables, formats, etc thru the options settings, then used the copy settings wizard to create a template that could be loaded onto all users workstations.
I am encountering a problem with the copy settings wizard on both v2008 and v2009. When attempting to restore the settings to other users computers, all corporate settings (format locations, etc.) are copied into the registry except referenced documents search paths. I've opened the registry file (sldreg) and the locations are there, but will not load...

Currently our company does not utilize PDM and all released files are stored in a network drive that has an extensive amount of sub-directories. The amount of time it will take to have all the users map out these drives will be extensive and I will not be able to ensure consistancy.
Has anyone else experienced this problem, and if so, is there a soultion?

Personal Opinion... Solidworks needs to take a lesson from PTC and use a text based file (similar to search.pro) that can be easily modified, reside in a standards directory and accessed thru the options button.
There should also be a way for administrators to enforce standards locations and their usage (Set and then "grey-out" settings such as formats, templates etc.) such a PTC's config.sup

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1-7JYGPT Feb 23, 2009 7:02 AM

Hi

What kind of user is that for whom you are restoring the settings? Does have permission on those reg key?

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1-D2DSAQ @ 1-7JYGPT on Mar 4, 2009 12:02 AM

According to my IT department, all users have administrative rights over thier workstation.
I'm stumpted. Please, if anyone has encountered this problem and has a solution, please let me know...

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1-AID90W @ 1-D2DSAQ on Mar 4, 2009 8:44 PM

Hi Howard,
I think each PC set up in System Option, File Location difference...IT "used the copy settings to another PC" each PC must be modify inside "system option" again because each PC had difference folders for workings...

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John Matrishon @ 1-AID90W on Mar 6, 2009 12:36 PM

Howard, you say you are using "mapped" drives. This can be a big issue as each computer does not have to have the same letter mapped. I always try to use the full UNC path whenever possible. I don't believe that is the only problem you are having, but it's something to be aware of.

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Anna Wood @ John Matrishon on Mar 6, 2009 1:19 PM

Howard,

We have a batch script that runs at each log on that sets all of our mapped drives for everyone in the company. We all have the same drives letters/locations on our machines.

We use this batch to also, set the time on everyone's computer and other company wide system settings.

May have your IT people set up something like this for your CAD users. Then you will be able to take better advantage of the copy settings wizard as you will be all working from the same set of mapped drives.

Cheers,

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John Matrishon @ Anna Wood on Mar 6, 2009 1:29 PM

Anna Wood wrote:

Howard,

We have a batch script that runs at each log on that sets all of our mapped drives for everyone in the company. We all have the same drives letters/locations on our machines.

We use this batch to also, set the time on everyone's computer and other company wide system settings.

May have your IT people set up something like this for your CAD users. Then you will be able to take better advantage of the copy settings wizard as you will be all working from the same set of mapped drives.

Cheers,

Good suggestion Anna! I almost mentioned it, we do the same thing at work, but unfortunately if anyone has that drive assigned prior to the batch program running during startup, the batch program errors out. It could be just the way our batch program is written but I'm not sure. So, Howard if you take that approach have your guys clear all their mapped drives as precaution, then run the batch file, and they can put any specific maps on afterwards. Just trying to add to Anna's better idea.

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Ed Burris @ John Matrishon on Mar 24, 2009 1:57 PM

I've run into some problems with the settings as well. I'm not using the copy function, for a couple reasons, 1) we only have 2 seats, and 2) I didn't know about it... (hardly SW's problem). The issue I have is, you have to set every setting for every username! This is absurd, who the heck is gonna want different template files for different users? We have one seat of Pro and one standard, and the two operators switched workstations for a day, and guess what... we had a bunch of model files made with the wrong templates!! Oh, well, live and learn, and once you learn, SW will change it so you have to re-learn...

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Anna Wood @ John Matrishon on Mar 24, 2009 4:44 PM

John Matrishon wrote:

Good suggestion Anna! I almost mentioned it, we do the same thing at work, but unfortunately if anyone has that drive assigned prior to the batch program running during startup, the batch program errors out. It could be just the way our batch program is written but I'm not sure. So, Howard if you take that approach have your guys clear all their mapped drives as precaution, then run the batch file, and they can put any specific maps on afterwards. Just trying to add to Anna's better idea.

You batch program will not error out if you delete your user's drive pathing first, then add the company standard paths.

Cheers,

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Josh Brady Mar 24, 2009 2:05 PM

You can use the Copy Settings Wizard to copy settings to the LOCAL MACHINE registry so that any new user on that machine will get the settings. However, if an existing user has already run SW, the CURRENT USER settings override LOCAL MACHINE.

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9 Replies

1-7JYGPT Feb 23, 2009 7:02 AM
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Hi

What kind of user is that for whom you are restoring the settings? Does have permission on those reg key?
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- 1-D2DSAQ @ 1-7JYGPT on Mar 4, 2009 12:02 AM
  Mark Correct
  Correct Answer
  According to my IT department, all users have administrative rights over thier workstation.
  I'm stumpted. Please, if anyone has encountered this problem and has a solution, please let me know...
  Like • Show 0 Likes0
  Actions
  - 1-AID90W @ 1-D2DSAQ on Mar 4, 2009 8:44 PM
    Mark Correct
    Correct Answer
    Hi Howard,
    I think each PC set up in System Option, File Location difference...IT "used the copy settings to another PC" each PC must be modify inside "system option" again because each PC had difference folders for workings...
    Like • Show 0 Likes0
    Actions
    - John Matrishon @ 1-AID90W on Mar 6, 2009 12:36 PM
      Mark Correct
      Correct Answer
      Howard, you say you are using "mapped" drives. This can be a big issue as each computer does not have to have the same letter mapped. I always try to use the full UNC path whenever possible. I don't believe that is the only problem you are having, but it's something to be aware of.
      
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      - Anna Wood @ John Matrishon on Mar 6, 2009 1:19 PM
        Mark Correct
        Correct Answer
        Howard,
        
        We have a batch script that runs at each log on that sets all of our mapped drives for everyone in the company. We all have the same drives letters/locations on our machines.
        
        We use this batch to also, set the time on everyone's computer and other company wide system settings.
        
        May have your IT people set up something like this for your CAD users. Then you will be able to take better advantage of the copy settings wizard as you will be all working from the same set of mapped drives.
        
        Cheers,
        
        Like • Show 0 Likes0
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        John Matrishon @ Anna Wood on Mar 6, 2009 1:29 PM
        Mark Correct
        Correct Answer
        
        Anna Wood wrote:
        
        Howard,
        
        We have a batch script that runs at each log on that sets all of our mapped drives for everyone in the company. We all have the same drives letters/locations on our machines.
        
        We use this batch to also, set the time on everyone's computer and other company wide system settings.
        
        May have your IT people set up something like this for your CAD users. Then you will be able to take better advantage of the copy settings wizard as you will be all working from the same set of mapped drives.
        
        Cheers,
        
        Good suggestion Anna! I almost mentioned it, we do the same thing at work, but unfortunately if anyone has that drive assigned prior to the batch program running during startup, the batch program errors out. It could be just the way our batch program is written but I'm not sure. So, Howard if you take that approach have your guys clear all their mapped drives as precaution, then run the batch file, and they can put any specific maps on afterwards. Just trying to add to Anna's better idea.
        
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        Ed Burris @ John Matrishon on Mar 24, 2009 1:57 PM
        Mark Correct
        Correct Answer
        I've run into some problems with the settings as well. I'm not using the copy function, for a couple reasons, 1) we only have 2 seats, and 2) I didn't know about it... (hardly SW's problem). The issue I have is, you have to set every setting for every username! This is absurd, who the heck is gonna want different template files for different users? We have one seat of Pro and one standard, and the two operators switched workstations for a day, and guess what... we had a bunch of model files made with the wrong templates!! Oh, well, live and learn, and once you learn, SW will change it so you have to re-learn...
        Like • Show 0 Likes0
        Actions
        Anna Wood @ John Matrishon on Mar 24, 2009 4:44 PM
        Mark Correct
        Correct Answer
        
        John Matrishon wrote:
        
        Good suggestion Anna! I almost mentioned it, we do the same thing at work, but unfortunately if anyone has that drive assigned prior to the batch program running during startup, the batch program errors out. It could be just the way our batch program is written but I'm not sure. So, Howard if you take that approach have your guys clear all their mapped drives as precaution, then run the batch file, and they can put any specific maps on afterwards. Just trying to add to Anna's better idea.
        
        You batch program will not error out if you delete your user's drive pathing first, then add the company standard paths.
        
        Cheers,
        
        Like • Show 0 Likes0
        Actions
Josh Brady Mar 24, 2009 2:05 PM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
You can use the Copy Settings Wizard to copy settings to the LOCAL MACHINE registry so that any new user on that machine will get the settings. However, if an existing user has already run SW, the CURRENT USER settings override LOCAL MACHINE.
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Copy Settings Wizard Restore Problem

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