Creo eval/training license issue

[JH_10563302]

I installed Creo Parametric as a trial. I have since received a training license, and have installed the license manager and applied the license. I reconfigured Creo to use 7788@caeepc003, which is the hostname of the machine where the license is installed. When I try to use the simulation functionality, I get the following message.

There are some analysis/design studies in the model that require Basic Creo Simulate license. Please contact your sales representative.

If I run ptcstatus I get the following.

C:\Program Files\PTC\FLEXnet Admin License Server>bin\ptcstatus.bat


Displaying status for license file: C:\Program Files\PTC\FLEXnet Admin License Server\bin\..\licensing\license.dat
License Server is UP: C:\Program Files\PTC\FLEXnet Admin License Server\bin\..\licensing\license.dat
ptc_d FLEXnet Publisher version: 11.17
License In Use Free
------- ------ ----
PROE_DesignEssH Uncounted, Locked
PROE_DesignEssH Uncounted, Locked
MECELITEENG_License Uncounted, Locked
MECELITEENG_License Uncounted, Locked
MECELITEENG_License 0 1
MECELITEUI_License Uncounted, Locked
MECELITEUI_License Uncounted, Locked
MECELITEUI_License 0 1
PROE_DesignEss 0 1
MECBASICENG_License 0 1
MECBASICUI_License 0 1
CREOSCHEM_Lite 0 1

* = License Extensions - Available only on startup.
^ = Borrowed License.


Press any key to continue . . .

Looks to me like the eval license is still in place and Creo is using it instead of the license installed under the license manager.

License web interface shows


Feature Version In Use (Available) Expiration
CREOSCHEM_Lite 40.0 0 (1) 2023-03-14
MECBASICENG_License 40.0 0 (1) 2023-03-14
MECBASICUI_License 40.0 0 (1) 2023-03-14
MECELITEENG_License 40.0 0 (1) 2023-03-14
MECELITEUI_License 40.0 0 (1) 2023-03-14
PROE_DesignEss 40.0 0 (1) 2023-03-14
PROE_DesignEssH 40.0 0 (Uncounted) 2024-02-11

[TomU]

Stop the license server process.  Edit the license.dat file and remove all the old lines.  Restart the license server process.

May not be a bad idea to make a copy of the file in case something gets messed up.

License file is located here:  C:\Program Files\PTC\FLEXnet Admin License Server\bin\..\licensing\license.dat

[TomU]

By the way, the license file is just plain text.  It can be edited in any text editor.  (Notepad, Notepad++, etc.)

[JH_10563302]

Just tried that.  Still getting this from ptcstatus.bat:

C:\Program Files\PTC\FLEXnet Admin License Server>bin\ptcstatus.bat

Displaying status for license file: C:\Program Files\PTC\FLEXnet Admin License Server\bin\..\licensing\license.dat
License Server is UP: C:\Program Files\PTC\FLEXnet Admin License Server\bin\..\licensing\license.dat

Warning (-96): Cannot connect to license server.

License In Use Free
------- ------ ----
PROE_DesignEssH Uncounted, Locked
PROE_DesignEssH Uncounted, Locked
MECELITEENG_License Uncounted, Locked
MECELITEENG_License Uncounted, Locked
MECELITEENG_License Counted
MECELITEUI_License Uncounted, Locked
MECELITEUI_License Uncounted, Locked
MECELITEUI_License Counted
PROE_DesignEss Counted
MECBASICENG_License Counted
MECBASICUI_License Counted
CREOSCHEM_Lite Counted

* = License Extensions - Available only on startup.
^ = Borrowed License.

Press any key to continue . . .

[TomU]

"Warning (-96): Cannot connect to license server" is a problem.  Since you weren't getting that before, it seems something was removed from the license file that is needed.  Compare the two files carefully.  I can help if you want to upload it here as well.  (Probably the original one.)

[JH_10563302]

Sorry.  My fault.  I wasn't paying attention.  I forgot to change the __HOSTNAME__ in the license file to reflect the hostname of the machine.  Once I did that and restarted, The license server came up correctly.  Back to the original issue.  Still seeing the following.

License In Use Free
------- ------ ----
PROE_DesignEssH Uncounted, Locked
PROE_DesignEssH Uncounted, Locked
MECELITEENG_License Uncounted, Locked
MECELITEENG_License Uncounted, Locked
MECELITEENG_License 0 1
MECELITEUI_License Uncounted, Locked
MECELITEUI_License Uncounted, Locked
MECELITEUI_License 0 1
PROE_DesignEss 0 1
MECBASICENG_License 0 1
MECBASICUI_License 0 1
CREOSCHEM_Lite 0 1

I set another machine to point to that system as a license server, and it was able to pull a license without any trouble.  Then I pointed this machine to our production license server, which I know is working, but I still get the same error when trying to get into simulation.  The machine is using the nodelocked eval license instead of the floating license.

[TomU]

Check the .psf file where Creo is installed.  ("\Parametric\bin" folder)  It specifies what license server or license file to use.

Look at line 30 for the value: ENV=PTC_D_LICENSE_FILE-= ...

[JH_10563302]

Line 30 shows the correct license server "7788@ptclicense.mydomain.local"  Ptclicense is the name of my license server.  It resolves and the firewall allows connection on 7788.

[TomU]

Creo runs, right?

What do you see when you go to File -> Help -> System Information?

What do you see when you run Utilities -> Open System Window, and then run ptcstatus?  Is it connecting to the correct license server?

Are you sure the simulation license on the license server is the correct one?

[JH_10563302]

Creo does run.

==========================================================================================================================================

From System Info

==========================================================================================================================================

FILE: support.inf.3
TIME: Tuesday, February 28, 2023 3:40:59 PM -0600

==================================================
License Information
==================================================

Service Contract Number: 3R2516808
Release: 9.0
Version: 9.0.0.0
Creo Platform Agent: 1.5.247
Creo 9 Platform Services: 1.0.290
License Name: PROE_DesignEss
License Version: 40.0
License Type: Subscription version, Floating License
Server Name: CAE-LIC01

License file search path: 7788@ptclicense.caeservices.local

==================================================
Configured Option Modules
==================================================

The following Creo Parametric options are installed:
(Note: license extensions are marked with a '*')

4D Navigator Intelligent Fastener Piping
Advanced Framework Interface Plot
Assembly Performance Interface for CADDS5 Render Studio
CDT Interface for CADDS5 Report
Cabling Interface for Catia Scan Tools
Data for PDGS Interface for STEP Sheetmetal Design
Design Animation Legacy Surfacing
Design Exploration Legacy Migration Unite Collaboration - Inventor
Detailing Library Access Unite Collaboration - Solidworks
ECAD Manikin Unite Technology
Feature Manikin Analysis Update Control
Flexible Modeling Mechanism Design Web Publish
Freestyle ModelCHECK Welding
Harness Manufacturing Mold Analysis Lite
Import Data Doctor Photorender

==================================================
Machine Information
==================================================

Host Name: CAEEPC003
User Name: lankischti
Host ID: 38-D5-47-A9-29-74

Creo Parametric Machine Type: X86E_WIN64
Creo Parametric Graphics Type: OPENGL
Using hardware accelerated OpenGL.
------------OpenGL Graphics Info-----------
Running on Windows
OpenGL Vendor : NVIDIA Corporation
OpenGL Renderer : Quadro M4000/PCIe/SSE2
OpenGL Version : 4.6.0 NVIDIA 512.15
OpenGL Vertex Buffer : Supported
OpenGL Frame Buffer : Supported
OpenGL Material Shader : Supported
OpenGL OIT Transparency Shader : Supported
OpenGL GPU Line rendering : Disabled
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1080 pixels
HDPI Text Scale 1.000000
Graphics Card Does Not Support Render Studio GPU mode
-------------------------------------------
Screen: 1920x1080
System DPI: 100%
Software DPI: 100%
High DPI: yes
Left handed: yes
Effects: xxxxxxxx
Language: usascii
Number of displays: 2
Display 1 (primary): (0,0) 1920x1040 in (0,0) 1920x1080 at 100% (531x299mm, recommended 100%)
Display 2: (1920,0) 1920x1040 in (1920,0) 1920x1080 at 100% (531x299mm, recommended 100%)

OS Name: Windows 10
OS Release: 10.0
OS Version: 22H2
Hardware Type: Intel64 Family 6 Model 79 Stepping 1 GenuineIntel 3598 MHz

==================================================
Installation Directories and Command Information
==================================================

Directories:

Creo Parametric Installation Directory: C:\Program Files\PTC\Creo 9.0.0.0\Common Files\
Creo Parametric Startup Directory: C:\Users\Public\Documents\
Commands:

Creo Parametric Start-up Command: C:\Program Files\PTC\Creo 9.0.0.0\Parametric\bin\parametric.exe
==================================================
Configuration Information
==================================================

Configuration files read:

C:\Program Files\PTC\Creo 9.0.0.0\Common Files\text\config.pro
C:\Program Files\PTC\Creo 9.0.0.0\Common Files\text\menu_def.pro
C:\Users\lankischti\AppData\Roaming\PTC\ProENGINEER\Wildfire\.wf\.Settings\creo_parametric_customization.ui

Creo Help Search Path: https://support.ptc.com/help/creo/creo_pma/r9.0
==================================================
Auxiliary application Information
==================================================

No auxiliary applications loaded.

CONTACTING TECHNICAL SUPPORT

For information on contacting PTC Technical Support, please refer to the printed
Customer Service Guide or the on-line edition at:

http://www.ptc.com/support/support.htm

(Click "Contacting Technical Support")

==========================================================================================================================================

From PTCSTATUS

==========================================================================================================================================

C:\Users\Public\Documents>ptcstatus

Displaying status for license file: 7788@ptclicense.caeservices.local
License Server is UP: 7788@ptclicense.caeservices.local
ptc_d FLEXnet Publisher version: 11.17
License In Use Free
------- ------ ----
PROE_DesignEss 1 0
(lankischti@CAEEPC003) PROE_DesignEss CAE-LIC01 7788 113
MECBASICENG_License 0 1
MECBASICUI_License 0 1
MECELITEENG_License 0 1
MECELITEUI_License 0 1
CREOSCHEM_Lite 0 1

* = License Extensions - Available only on startup.
^ = Borrowed License.

Press any key to continue . . .

[JH_10563302]

It looks right to me, but when I try to get in to simulation, I get

There are some analysis/design studies in the model that require Basic Creo Simulate license. Please contact your sales representative.

I have another machine where this is working fine.

[TomU · Accepted solution]

Compare the contents of this file on both machines:  Common Files\applications\simulate\text\licensing\mech\feature.dat

Mine looks like this:

[JH_10563302]

You might be right. The file on the working machine looks just like yours.

The file on the offending machine looks like this:

MEC_BASIC_UI "<No license features>"
MEC_BASIC_ENG "<No license features>"
STRUCT_UI "<No license features>"
STRUCT_ENGINE "<No license features>"
STRUCT_THERMAL_UI "<No license features>"
STRUCT_THERMAL_ENGINE "<No license features>"
MEC_ELITE_UI "MECELITEUI_License"
MEC_ELITE_ENG "MECELITEENG_License"

I updated the file and am testing.

[JH_10563302]

That was it.  Many thanks.  Couldn't have done it without your help.