Error opening existing project: "External component has thrown an exception"

 

  Applies To 
  Product(s): WaterGEMS, WaterCAD
  Version(s): 08.11.xx.xx, 10.XX.XX.XX
  Area:  Modeling
  Original Author: Scott Kampa, Bentley Technical Support Group

 

Error or Warning Message

When trying to open a model in standalone or on the AutoCAD platform, the following error message is generated:

"Error: External component has thrown an exception"

Reason

While this is a vague error message that could have a couple of causes, one possible cause is a corruption in the database file. Database corruptions are rare, but they can occur. The corruptions that tend to generate the error message above are difficult or impossible for Bentley to manually repair, however, if the steps below do not help, we encourage you to contact Bentley Technical Support so that we can look into the issue.

There are a couple of things that you can try to resolve this issue.

How to Resolve

First, if the model is from WaterGEMS or WaterCAD V8i SELECTseries 3 or older, you can try to repair the database in Microsoft Access. You do this by opening the database file in Access, then going to File > Manage > Compact and Repair database.

If that does not work or if you have WaterGEMS or WaterCAD V8i SELECTseries 4 or later (which uses SQLITE as the database instead of Access), try to rename the backup file. Browse to where the model file is storeed and find the backup database files. They will have file extensions like ".mdb.01.bak" or ".sqlite.bak". Rename the file so that it reads ".mdb" for Access files or ".sqlite" for SQLITE files. You can then try opening the model or importing the database. The error message should be resolved.

You can also open the .sqlite database file and recreate the model by changing the filter on the File - Open dialog to look for .sqlite database files rather than the original model file.  The model will be rebuilt based on the database information.  Things like Annotation and/or Color Coding might be lost and have to be recreated when using this option.

If this is on the AutoCAD platform in the Programs and Feature window found in the control panel uninstall the Microsoft Access Database engines. Then download and install the latest version (as of this update) 2016 64 bit Microsoft Access database engine. Restart the computer and try to open the file.

  • Created by Bentley Colleague
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