AutoCAD Architecture Forum
Welcome to Autodesk’s AutoCAD Architecture Forums. Share your knowledge, ask questions, and explore popular AutoCAD Architecture topics.
cancel
Showing results for 
Show  only  | Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

"Specified cast is not valid" ACA 2011 error

2 REPLIES 2
SOLVED
Reply
Message 1 of 3
kjneitzke
2508 Views, 2 Replies

"Specified cast is not valid" ACA 2011 error

On one of our workstations we get  "Specified cast is not valid" error when we attempt to open the Detail Component Manager and it will not recognize the database.  We are running ACA 2011 on Windows Vista.  I have run the repair to ACA 2011 and reinstall with no sucess.  Any suggestions  or ideas on what this error means.  I have also replaced the Detail Component Manager files from a workstation that the Detail Component Manager works just fine.

 

Thanks!

Ken Neitzke
2 REPLIES 2
Message 2 of 3

Autodesk software relies on Microsoft components/language in order to make features/tools run properly.  It sounds like your problem is an issue with .NET Framework.  I would recommend that you remove all versions of .NET Framework from the machine and reinstall using the information listed out below.

1.       If you are having problems with .NET Framework I commonly advise the removal of ALL .NET Framework versions (including service packs and hotfixes) and then a reinstall of only the version which is relevant for the version of AutoCAD in question (from the AutoCAD disk if possible).  If other programs have a dependency on a newer version I recommend the customer run Windows Update, but only after the AutoCAD issue has been diagnosed and resolved.

2.       If there are difficulties with the uninstall or reinstall of .NET Framework, try it in Diagnostic Mode (see TS75218).  I have had much greater success when working with these installs in diag mode.

3.       For 2009 products make sure the “Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable” is installed (found in ..\Support\VCRedist on the disk).  This is required for newer .NET Framework components to function correctly.

4.       Note that there are different versions of .NET Framework and the C++ Redistributable for 32 and 64 bit operating systems.  Make sure the correct version is being installed for your operating system.

5.       All .NET enabled executables have a “.exe.config” (i.e. acad.exe.config or dwgviewr.exe.config) file located in the same folder as the exe which can be configured in Notepad if multiple versions of .NET Framework are installed.  This can be a handy (and easy) suggestion.  See TS1062546 for details on modifying this file.

6.       There is a third-party (non-Microsoft) utility which performs an uninstall of all .NET Framework versions and cleans up left over files and folders.  This utility is useful if manual uninstalls are not working to resolve the problem.  I use this only as a last resort, and I preface it by saying that this is not an Autodesk or Microsoft utility so use at your own risk (it has not caused me any troubles though).  This is a not a miracle cure but it is another useful weapon in our artillery.

•         More information about this utility and manual uninstall steps (READ THIS FIRST):  http://astebner.sts.winisp.net/Tools/dotnetfx_cleanup_tool.zip

•         .NET Framework Cleanup Utility:   http://blogs.msdn.com/astebner/archive/2006/05/30/611355.aspx
 
7.       I have encountered a few scenarios where none of these suggestions are successful in fixing .NET Framework.  These are often related to older systems or machines where Windows is not behaving correctly.  If none of the strategies above are successful it may be necessary for the customer to contact someone at Microsoft (or their system support professional) for additional Windows troubleshooting.

 
For reference, here are some common symptoms of .NET Framework issues. This list is not all-inclusive.

 
•         Layer manager, tool palette, quick calculator, Style manager, Project navigator and ribbon issues.  These components depend heavily on .NET Framework

•         JIT (Just-in-Time) Debugger errors

•          “AutoCAD was not installed properly.  Please reinstall immediately” or “The application has failed to start because its side by side configuration is incorrect…” errors on startup

•         1935/HRESULT 0x80070002  errors during AutoCAD install or deployment

•         Some (but not all) variations of the infamous FATAL ERROR: Unhandled e0434f4dh Exception at 7c81eb33h/7c812A5bh

•         “NGEN failed to exit” errors during installation

•         Vault installation errors

•         Exception errors in acmgd.arx or acmgd.dll during startup

•         “Class Not Registered” errors

•         “Cannot load assembly. Error details: System.Security.SecurityException” errors at the AutoCAD command line

•         “Autodesk ACT libraries were not properly registered” starting 3DS Max or Viz

•         “Error 25015. Failed to install assembly…” during installation (primarily Inventor)

 

The following list describes the version of .NET Framework required for AutoCAD and LT.  AutoCAD 2005 and earlier releases did not rely on .NET Framework.

•        AutoCAD 2006 requires .NET Framework 1.1 SP1

•        AutoCAD 2007 requires .NET Framework 2.0

•        AutoCAD 2008 requires .NET Framework 2.0

•        AutoCAD 2009 requires .NET Framework 3.0 SP1

•        AutoCAD 2010 requires .NET Framework 3.5

•        AutoCAD 2011 requires .NET Framework 3.5 SP1


After installing the .net applications, attempt to repair your installation of AutoCAD Architecture, this should ensure that all the components of .NET are registered properly with the application.  Then attempt to run ACA and see if the problem remains.

 



Michael Bussiere II
Support Specialist
Product Support
Autodesk, Inc.
Message 3 of 3

Thank you! 

 

This is great information. 

 

After running a Windows Update, the Detail Component Manger is now working.  I checked the version of .Net Framework and we are running Microsoft .Net Framework 3.5 SP1 and as of 10/15/10 there is also Microsoft .Net Framework 4 Client Profile.  As long as everything is working, I am going to hold on doing the uninstall and reinstall until the problem arises again.

 

Thank you!

Ken Neitzke

Can't find what you're looking for? Ask the community or share your knowledge.

Post to forums  

Autodesk Design & Make Report

”Boost