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Once
again it is time for upgrades in the SolidWorks world. If
you haven’t already done so the downloadable version
of SolidWorks 2007 SP0.0 is available. Before rushing out
to upgrade your software is your hardware ready? How about
your operating system? Often times like children on Christmas
morning opening their gifts, we are ready to install that
new software package to see if the magical button for completing
your project for you in a single click has been added to the
latest release. This sometimes leads to hours of frustration,
even anger, leaving us with questions like “Why is it
crashing?” or “It worked fine in the last version.”
Here are a few tips on keeping your sanity. Before upgrading
check the system requirements, not only hardware but software
as well. Did you know that versions of windows operating systems
other than Windows XP Professional are no longer supported?
Or that 512MB RAM is the minimum requirement for running SolidWorks.
Well there is a bunch more facts at http://www.solidworks.com/pages/services/SystemRequirements.html
to help you gauge your system for the next release. If you
have already specified your graphics card and compared it
to the SolidWorks certified cards in the past, be sure to
double check before upgrading. While it is likely your card
is still good the drivers that you are using may be out of
date, or in some cases the most recent graphics card drivers
from the card’s manufacturer may not have been tested
or does not function well with SolidWorks. Verify you are
current and certified at http://www.solidworks.com/pages/services/VideoCardTesting.html
for the most accurate and available drivers. You can also
download and install the driver right from the SolidWorks
site.
When performing your upgrade you will be required to obtain
a new registration code. So make sure you have an Internet
connection available during installation. If you are not able
to connect during your installation please contact your Value
Added Reseller to have them retrieve it for you. For SolidWorks
2007 SP0.0 network license customers will need to request
a new SNL file by visiting the My Products section of the
Customer Portal. Select the SolidWorks 2007 Network Installation
and click Get License. The Installation Manager will not provide
the file.
One last thing if you want somebody to spoil it for you and
tell you if the magic button is there or not check out some
of these links http://www.solidworks.com/pages/services/Links.html
At the end of these links you are sure to find some good information
in articles and links to you local users groups. So that when
you hear about things like ‘SWIFT’ you will not
only know the information found here http://www.solidworks.com/pages/news/viewrelease.html?prid=375
but you can easily access someone’s opinion about it
who may have already used it.
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