Setting of PWDIR environ variable

Offline Finn Mejding Wed, Oct 15 2014 9:33 AM

Hi there,

I have an installation of ProjectWise that refuse to start MicroStation with the "standard" Open command: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Bentley\MicroStation\ustation.exe" "%1" -ws_PWEXPLORER=1 -wsPWDIR=C:/Program Files (x86)/Bentley/PROJEC~1/.

I think I know why it won't start. This could be the missing "" around the PWDIR path.

But how do I get to modify this application string. It is not available through PW Administrator neither through PW Explorer.

Another clue.

When I run the command with the -debug option I can see in the output file (msdebug.txt) that the first 3 line are special to PW, and they look like this:

(system): _PWEXPLORER=1 [1]
(system): PWDIR=C:/Program [C:/Program]
(system): MS_CONFIG=c:\pwwork\pwadmin\workspace\1e0fc518-d033-4d76-9e79-419819e71bef.tmp [c:\pwwork\pwadmin\workspace\1e0fc518-d033-4d76-9e79-419819e71bef.tmp]

My attention was drawn to the second line. obviously there are something wrong here, but I can't figure out where to correct the path.

Anyone having seen this before and know how to correct it?

Thanks in advance

Finn

0 Offline Jeff Burrill Wed, Oct 15 2014 11:59 AM
The -wsPWDIR variable is likely not modifiable if you are using a managed workspace. If you are not using a managed workspace, you might be able to modify the command line string in the application setting in PW Admin.

That said, I've seen this a few times with Windows 7 and oddly enough, the problem was because 8.3 (short naming) is/was disabled at the OS level for the file system at the time the Program Files folder(s) were created. This is pretty rare, as its not the default.

To see if short names exist for the Program Files folder(s), go to a command prompt, go to C:\ and then dir /x. If the short name(s) for the C:\Program Files folder(s) are not listed next to the long name (in the form C:\PROGRA~1), that is likely the culprit.

There are ways you can enable 8.3, but beware of policy restrictions in your domain that may prevent the change from "sticking". There are also ways to "backfill" 8.3 short names, but I don't recall the methods off hand; google should help here if that is the direction you need to go. Just be prepared to do it with an administrator account on the local machine. In my experience, even domain accounts in the the local administrators group can't make the change (response to the command will be 'access denied'). HTH

Please note that I post here on a voluntary basis and am not a Bentley employee.
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0 Offline Finn Mejding Thu, Oct 16 2014 2:10 AM in reply to Jeff Burrill

Thank you Jeff, it looks like it is the short naming problem, because I don't see a short name for Program Files (x86) an all the other folders on C:\ (except for those created after windows have been installed, like BentleyDownloads).
I will try our next best friend Google for the solution you suggested.

Regards,

Finn Mejding

CAD Manager

Railway and Metro

COWI
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0 Offline Jeff Burrill Thu, Oct 16 2014 3:22 AM in reply to Finn Mejding
A google search for fsutil and setshortname should help. Just remember you have to be a local admin on the local machine, and I think you may also have to boot into safe mode or recovery console for this to work. Good luck.

Please note that I post here on a voluntary basis and am not a Bentley employee.
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0 Offline Finn Mejding Fri, Jan 30 2015 7:34 AM in reply to Jeff Burrill

Tried running fsutil to set shortnames on Program Files (x86) and Program Files, but it don't seem to work when there are files stored in the folders, I get an Access Denied error message. The command works fine if it's run on empty folders.
Anyway, the company having this problem have outsourced their IT support, and they are not willing to admit that they have a problem by installing without short name enabled. I will not disguess with them anymore, so I decided to install all Bentley software to a different folder than Program Files (x86), I install to a newley created folder called Bentley. As this folder is created after short naming is enabled, all subfolders will have 8.3 names as well and PW is working.

Regards,

Finn Mejding

CAD Manager

Railway and Metro

COWI

Answer Verified By: Finn Mejding
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0 Offline Jeff Burrill Fri, Jan 30 2015 6:58 PM in reply to Finn Mejding
You will get access denied errors if you don't run this while booted in safe mode, and you must log in as a local administrator on that machine (not a domain account, even if it has full admin rights). We've done this on many machines that have lots of files and folders, and it works fine.

If you are doing both those things and still have problems, it must be something else. In which case, given your IT support situation, the alternate folder approach is the most expedient option.

Please note that I post here on a voluntary basis and am not a Bentley employee.
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