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Softlocks Are Just as Tough and Annoying as Hardlocks!

By Anna Liza Montenegro | IT

“The security system (softlock license manager) is not functioning or improperly installed. “

Yes, you can reformat your machine and make this error message go away. Your support guy might also suggest a full uninstall of all Autodesk software. Of course there is always another way 

Softlock License Manager Errors were typically seen with the older version of AutoCAD products (releases older than 2008) and the typical cause of the error was restricted permissions on licensing folder or some corruption with the license file. We’ve been seeing this also with 2012 software, especially software coming from new Building Design Suite. The standalone license file locations are here:

On Vista or Windows 7:

  • C:ProgramDataFLEXnetadskflex_00691b00_tsf.data
  • C:ProgramDataFLEXnetadskflex_00691b00_tsf.data.backup

On Windows XP:

  • C:Documents and SettingsAll UsersApplication DataFLEXnetadskflex_00691b00_tsf.data
  • C:Documents and SettingsAll UsersApplication DataFLEXnetadskflex_00691b00_tsf.data.backup

These files are encrypted files and basically keep activation information.  Please try giving Everyone full control permissions to the folder and move adskflex data files you find there to another folder (e.g. Desktop). If that didn’t work, just delete the files. Can’t delete the files? That means that the service that requires those files are still in use. Go to the services.msc and look for “FLEXnet Licensing Service” and “FLEXnet Licensing Service 64″. Start the service, then STOP the service – in that order. Once those services are stopped, delete those two files and start the services up again. Start AutoCAD and VOOOOOOILA!!

INDUSTRIES:

Published on September 14, 2011 in IT.

About the Author

Marketing Director in New York via San Francisco and Manila. Anna Liza is a trained architect and inspired by technology. A fan of traveling, slow food movement, and summers in Maine with her kids. She has been with Microsol since 2004.

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