| Product(s): | WaterGEMS, WaterCAD, HAMMER, SewerGEMS, SewerCAD, StormCAD, CivilStorm, PondPack, FlowMaster |
| Version(s): | 08.11.XX.XX and higher |
| Area: | Installation |
When opening a Bentley OpenFlows application, it starts to open (and displays the intro "splash" screen) but then goes away and the main program interface never appears.
This issue is can be due to a number of different reasons and there are several possible causes and solutions:
Note that it is recommended to upgrade to the latest version of the software that is compatible with your operating system.
If this problem is preventing your from opening the program and you aren't sure what version was installed, you can check by following these steps:
1) Browse to the folder where the program is installed to. Please see - installation folder
2) Locate the WaterGEMS.exe file (or WaterCAD.exe or SewerGEMS.exe) right click on it and choose "properties"
3) Click the "Version" tab. Your build should be listed here, next to "file version".
This option applies to SES-enabled versions: CONNECT Edition Update 2 and greater (10.02.XX.XX+)
When the splash screen is showing, SES-enabled versions will communicate to Bentley via the CONNECTION Client application (running in your Windows System Tray) to activate the license. If there is a problem opening the CONNECTION Client or communicating to Bentley, this can cause an interruption.
First, try opening the CONNECTION Client from your Windows System Tray (lower-right corner). Ensure that you are signed in with your account that is linked to your organization. Then, click your name in the top-right corner, choose "Health Check", then "Run Check". If you are using an older version of the Bentley OpenFlows application, you may also need to update your CONNECTION Client version from the Software Downloads Site. If the Health Check reports a problem, you may need to check your network connection, temporarily disable or allow the CONNECTION Client through your firewall or security software. See more here and here.
Also, you may need to check with your IT/Helpdesk to see if any additional settings need to be configured such as a Proxy Server. Settings can be found in the "Bentley Licensing Tool" (found in your Windows Start menu) under Tools > Options.
Lastly, you may also need to restart your computer and try again after trying the steps above.
The third party software called SoftTrack is sometimes used by companies to help prevent unintended overages. It has been known to interfere with the CONNECTION Client and prevent it from functioning correctly (for example after an update to the CONNECTION Client version), which then prevents the OpenFlows applications from opening (they engage with the CONNECTION Client for licensing during the "splash screen".)
Contact your local IT or Helpdesk for assistance with this. They can try disabling, uninstalling or repairing/updating SofTrack.
See the following other options available without having to use such third party software: Controlling license access to prevent unintended usage
This issue has been known to occur if the user did not have permission to access the folder C:\Program Data\Bentley\ Check your permissions (contact your Administrator if needed) and any security software that might be blocking your access.
The Bentley Log Collector may display an error message about this folder, if this is the cause of the inability to open your OpenFlows application.
Operating System: Windows XP Service Pack 2
Follow these steps:
1) First make sure that the Data Access Objects Windows component is registered.
a. Open your windows explorer and browse to this folder:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\DAO\
b. Register the dao360.dll file. You can do this by right clicking it, choosing to open with and then browse to the regserver program, located here:
C:\Windows\System32\regsvr32.exe
c. You should receive a message stating that the module is registered.
2) Browse to and delete the following file:
Windows XP:
C:\Documents and Settings\<(><<)>username>\Application Data\Bentley\EngineeringLibraries\Engineeringlibraries.mdb
Where "<(><<)>username>" is the name of the user that you are currently logged in as.
Windows Vista or newer
C:\Users\<(><<)>username>\AppData\Roaming\Bentley\EngineeringLibraries\Engineeringlibraries.mdb
3) Try opening the program.
This option applies to older versions. If you have a recent CONNECT Edition version (version number starting with 10) this option is not applicable and you will not find the managed starter file.
The managed starter is a file located in your installation folder and running it instead of the main product shortcut can often resolve this issue especially in older versions.
Here is a list for a few of the applications:
Windows XP:
SewerCAD V8 XM: C:\Program Files\Bentley\SewerCAD8\Haestad.Alabama.Starter.exe
SewerGEMS V8 XM: C:\Program Files\Bentley\SewerGEMS\Haestad.SewerGEMS.Starter.exe
CivilStorm V8 XM: C:\Program Files\Bentley\CivilStorm\CivilStorm.Starter.exe
FlowMaster V8i : C:\Program Files\Bentley\FlowMaster\FlowMaster.Starter.exe
Windows Vista or newer
SewerCAD V8 XM: C:\Program Files (x86)\Bentley\SewerCAD8\Haestad.Alabama.Starter.exe
SewerGEMS V8 XM: C:\Program Files (x86)\Bentley\SewerGEMS\Haestad.SewerGEMS.Starter.exe
CivilStorm V8 XM: C:\Program Files (x86)\Bentley\CivilStorm\CivilStorm.Starter.exe
FlowMaster : C:\Program Files (x86)\Bentley\FlowMaster\FlowMaster.Starter.exe
Running this file will skip the splash screen and there should be no adverse effects. You can change your desktop/start menu shortcut to point to the managed starter.
This issue has been known to occur in some cases if the C++ Redistributable prerequisite is not installed. Each product and version requires a different C++ version. Check your Windows "programs and features" - search for "C++" and confirm that the following versions are installed (these are used for the CONNECT Editions of the primary water, storm and sewer products as of August, 2010):
vc8redist_x86.exe (2005): https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=5638
vc8redist_x64.exe (2005): https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=21254
vc9redist_x86.exe (2008): https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=29
vc9redist_x64.exe (2008): https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=15336
vc10redist_x86.exe (2010): https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=5555
vc10redist_x64.exe (2010): https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=14632
vc11redist_x86.exe (2012): https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=30679
vc11redist_x64.exe (2012): https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=30679
vc12redist_x86.exe (2013): https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=40784
vc12redist_x64.exe (2013): https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=40784
vc14redist_x86.exe (2015): https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=52685
vc14redist_x64.exe (2015): https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=52685
Download the following replacement Engineering library database:
https://communities.bentley.com/products/hydraulics___hydrology/m/hydraulics_and_hydrology_gallery/273291
Choose to save it to the following folder, and overwrite the old one, if asked to:
Windows XP:
C:\Documents and Settings\<(><<)>username>\Application Data\Bentley\EngineeringLibraries\
Where "<(><<)>username>" is the name of the user that you are currently logged in as.
Windows Vista or newer
C:\Users\<(><<)>username>\AppData\Roaming\Bentley\EngineeringLibraries\Engineeringlibraries.mdb
See: How do I perform a clean uninstall and reinstall of the Hydraulic and Hydrology products?
Certain security/antivirus software has been known to interfere and cause the issue in question.
If this happens with FlowMaster and the above does not help, first check if the License Management Tool is able to open, and that you can verify your license. Next, check if the file named msvcr71.dll is missing on your computer. This is an operating system component that FlowMaster relies on for some operations.
See: FlowMaster fails to open or is not able to generate a rating table
How do I perform a clean uninstall and reinstall of the Hydraulic and Hydrology products?