Various program anomalies can be solved by conducting a procedure called a clean installation. This involves uninstalling all versions of a program and removing any files that are left behind prior to reinstalling. Following are instructions for doing this for specific Structural products.
Before doing these steps, please make copies of any custom tables that have been added to the program. The default location for tables is:
C:\ProgramData\Bentley\Engineering\RAM Structural System\Tables\
Ensure that none of your models are saved within the RAM Structural System folder.
Finally, if you have made modifications to your user defaults, please make a copy of your RamIS.ini file. The RAMIS.ini file is located here:
C:\ProgramData\Bentley\Engineering\RAM Structural System\
The defaults can be copied into the new configuration file later on, if needed.
Go to the Control Panel. Select Programs and Features. Uninstall RAM Structural System.
For a clean install, it is also recommended that you remove the following folders (if they exist):
C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Bentley\Engineering\VPEControl\C:\Program Files\Common Files\Bentley\Engineering\RAMCommon\ C:\Program Files\Bentley\Engineering\RAM Structural System\Prog\
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Bentley\Engineering\RAMCommon\ C:\Program Files\Bentley\Engineering\RAM Structural System\Prog\
C:\Program Files\Bentley\Engineering\RAM Structural System\Prog\
Once this is done, reinstall RAM Structural System.
After installation, copy any custom tables to the Tables folder. (the default location is noted above)
To restore the user defaults to the new RAMIS.ini file:
Open the saved copy of the RAMIS.ini file (that was saved per instructions above)
Open the new RAMIS.ini file located at C:\ProgramData\Bentley\Engineering\RAM Structural System\
With the exception of the [Directories] portion of the file, copy the contents of the old file to the new file.
Before doing these steps, please back up any custom sections, materials, connections, bolts, and welds as well as any user-created models. The custom sections, materials, connections, bolts, and welds are stored in the Database folder located in one of two locations below. Back up any user-created models that may be saved in the Data folder in one of the two locations below.
Version 13.0.3 and earlier:
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Bentley\Engineering\RAM Elements (Windows XP)C:\ProgramData\Bentley\Engineering\RAM Elements (Windows Vista/7)
Version 13.2.0 and later:
C:\ProgramData\Bentley\Engineering\RAM Elements.en (Windows Vista/7 - English Version)C:\ProgramData\Bentley\Engineering\RAM Elements.es (Windows Vista/7 - Spanish Version)
Important: The Database folder in C:\Program Files (x86)\Bentley\Engineering\RAM Elements contains standard elements that come with the program. It does not contain any user-created custom sections, materials, connections, bolts or welds.
Select Control Panel from the Windows Start menu, and open either Add or Remove Programs (Windows XP) or Programs and Features (Windows Vista/7). Uninstall all listings for RAM Elements, starting with the most recent. If any listings for RAM Advanse are present, remove these as well. Then, remove any RAM Elements, RAM Elements.en, RAM Elements.es, or RAM Advanse folders residing in the following locations (if they exist):
C:\Program Files (x86)\Bentley\EngineeringC:\Program Files (x86)\RamC:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Bentley (Windows XP only)C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Bentley\Engineering (Windows XP only)C:\ProgramData\Bentley (Windows Vista/7 only)C:\ProgramData\Bentley\Engineering (Windows Vista/7 only)%USERPROFILE%\Application Data\Bentley\Engineering (Windows XP only)%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Bentley\Engineering (Windows Vista/7 only)
Finally, reinstall RAM Elements. Restore any custom sections, materials, connections, bolts, and welds by moving the Database folder back to the RAM Elements folder located in one of the two locations below. User-created models that were previously backed up can be restored to the Data folder in one of the two locations below as well, although they can be opened from anywhere.
C:\ProgramData\Bentley\Engineering\RAM Elements.en (Windows Vista/7 - English Version)C:\ProgramData\Bentley\Engineering\RAM Elements.es (Windows Vista/7 - Spanish Version))
RAM Connection v8.0.1 and earlier:
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Bentley\Engineering\RAM Connection (Windows XP)C:\ProgramData\Bentley\Engineering\RAM Connection (Windows Vista/7)
RAM Connection v9.0.0 and later:
C:\ProgramData\Bentley\Engineering\RAM Connection.en (Windows Vista/7 - English Version)C:\ProgramData\Bentley\Engineering\RAM Connection.es (Windows Vista/7 - Spanish Version)
Important: The Database folder in C:\Program Files\Bentley\Engineering\RAM Connection contains standard elements that come with the program. It does not contain any user-created custom sections, materials, connections, bolts or welds.
Select Control Panel from the Windows Start menu, and open either Add or Remove Programs (Windows XP) or Programs and Features (Windows Vista/7). Uninstall all listings for RAM Connection starting with the most recent. Then, remove any RAM Connection, RAM Connection.en, RAM Connection.es folders residing in the following locations (if they exist):
Finally, reinstall RAM Connection. Restore any custom sections, materials, connections, bolts, and welds by moving the Database folder back to the RAM Connection folder located in one of the two locations below. User-created models that were previously backed up can be restored to the Data folder in one of the two locations below as well, although they can be opened from anywhere.
Before doing these steps, ensure that none of your models are saved in the program folder.
Select Control Panel from the Windows Start menu, and open either Add or Remove Programs (Windows XP) or Programs and Features (Windows Vista/7). Uninstall all listings for RAM Concept, starting with the most recent. Then, remove any RAM Concept folders residing in the following locations (if they exist):
C:\Program Files\Bentley\Engineering C:\Program Files\RamC:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Bentley\Engineering (Windows XP only)C:\ProgramData\Bentley\Engineering (Windows Vista/7 only)
Finally, reinstall RAM Concept.
Select Control Panel from the Windows Start menu, and open either Add or Remove Programs (Windows XP) or Programs and Features (Windows Vista/7). Uninstall all listings for STAAD.Pro, starting with the most recent. Do the same for STAAD.foundation 5.3 or earlier. Leave STAAD Foundation Advanced if present. Then, remove any of the following folders (if they exist):
C:\SPro2007C:\SProV8iC:\Program Files\Bentley\Engineering\STAAD.Pro CONNECT EditionC:\STAAD.foundation 5.3
Additionally remove any STAAD folders in the following locations (if they exist). The folder path may vary depending on the Windows version:
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Bentley\Engineering C:\ProgramData\Bentley\Engineering C:\Users\<UserName>\AppData\Local\Bentley\Engineering
Finally, reinstall STAAD.Pro (which in later versions also includes STAAD Foundation/STAAD Foundation Advanced ).
Important: When reinstalling STAAD.Pro on a computer running Windows Vista or later, please right-click on the installer, and select Run As Administrator from the contextual menu. This will ensure that all components are installed properly. Failing to perform this step results in missing Start menu shortcuts.
Structural Product TechNotes and FAQs