2021 update cannot access databases

[Masibanda-CE]

What's going on here?! I just installed the latest version of AS2021 and get this error:

Also, there is no log file as mention in the dialog box. There's not even a folder called "USA".

I have no problem with v2020.

[Sebastian_Eiche]

This problem will be there often I think 😃 I had a it too.

By having a deeper look on the pic, AS try to connect to the "object" folder, what is definitely wrong.

to solve it do the following steps:

• close AS
• open the folder: C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2020\ADVS
• delete the file: ASSettings_Advance.xml
• open the Apps and feature of windows control and then use the uninstall of Advance Steel, then you should have the option for "repair":
  
• then the file should be repaired and after starting AS, this should work

In my case this did not work with repair and a complete new installation, so I think my browser download file was maybe broken. I copy this file from another pc and this works.

[AzzaRazzamataz]

Sounds like a good start 😞

[robertwmerriman1]

I also had the same error message, I had to do an uninstall, the first time I tried to install from my account, the second time I used the download installer and it worked ok

The only thing I noticed in my c\ProgramData\Autodesk I still had the folder from the 2021 beta test not sure if this was causing a problem or not, I had already uninstalled the beta but the folder still existed, deleted that folder before the second installation and it worked the second time round 

[AntDrt]

Hello

did you tried to replace with the correct path for .mdf directly in the .xml file ?

C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\Advance Steel 2020\"LANG"\Configuration\DatabaseConfiguration.xml

[Sebastian_Eiche]

this was my problem too, I had to uninstall, use the microsoft fix it and then make a complete new installation, with the correct ASSettings_Advance.xml it works and it not create the beta folder

[johnjmbennett]

Hi Seb, 

So thought i try the Desktop app install for a change,  typically i download from My Account via web browser,  then install etc.,  but for a change used this method,  the process worked fine for me, no issues at all,  it installed my correct country selection,  my license was picked up from my account,  activation popups appeared,  all migration windows appeared for both AutoCad and Advance Steel.

Ran first time,  painless for a change,  just  I maybe lucky today for a change.🙂

Cheers

[Sebastian_Eiche]

I used both in the past for testing and both is working for me. 
But not this year...

[johnjmbennett]

Hi Seb, 

interesting, so the machine I use never had the beta on it,  it seems this maybe the cause of the issue, some residual files/folders left over from that deployment.   Typically as you know some parts get left behind when you do an uninstall.

Cheers

JB

[DarrenP]

i posted a solution on another thread but here it is

just sharing this with anybody but after installing 2021 i ran into this issue on AS 2021 & AS 2020 going into a not responding mode on start up with the start screen

something like this:

After a few minutes you get this error message: https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/revit-products/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles...

to solve it i had to uninstall/reinstall the SQL Server 2014 Express LocalDB

following this article: https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/revit-products/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles...

[Sebastian_Eiche]

another customer today with this problem: changing the ASSettings_Advance.xml (copy from my pc) work. I think there's something wrong with the installation routine

[Anonymous]

I try this repair method from Sebastian, it solve the database problem on my computer. Thanks very much.

[johnjmbennett]

which one  from desktop app,  install option or via My Account through browser option,  or just the 'Install Now' option in the  browser.  If I recall from past,  it downloads slightly different version from those sources. (the content)

If we can identify which type of download,  I am sure they can fix the source file on their side.   

cheers

[AntDrt]

It seems AS 2021 with download from navigator doesn't recognize later version on SQL express.

When i create the AdvanceSteel2021 instance with SQL express 2016 (vers 13.xx)

After launching AS 2021 or the migration tool i see the version of the instance IS back to version 2014 ( vers 12.xx)

It like AS delete the previous instance created to bring back the 12.xx version

HUGE PROBLEM, We previously use SQL 2016, so our databases cannot be migrated....

I'll try tomorrow with the webinstall version.

Problem: from browser download

[Masibanda-CE]

So .... I uninstalled and re-installed twice and now it seems happy. I tend to agree with the thought it's a downloader issue. I wasn't able to "download" the install because for some reason it wasn't available to me in my account. The only way I could access v2021 was through the Autodesk Desktop App ... I don't normally use it.

I didn't have any beta or pre-existing versions, and I have no idea why un-installing and re-installing worked. I'm just guessing, but I think something within the installer causes problems with SQL credentials.

Thanks everyone for all your input!!!

[bageseabraham]

Hi Sebastian,

Where can I find AS2021 in Australia?

Can you please forward the link to install if it is available in Australia. I can't find in the app manager

Regards

Abraham

[Tomislav.Golubovic]

---

@bageseabraham wrote:

Hi Sebastian,

Where can I find AS2021 in Australia?

Can you please forward the link to install if it is available in Australia. I can't find in the app manager

Regards

Abraham

---

It will either be in your AAM, or in your account on manage.autodesk.com

[AntDrt]

---

@Sebastian_Eiche wrote:

another customer today with this problem: changing the ASSettings_Advance.xml (copy from my pc) work. I think there's something wrong with the installation routine

---

Hello everyone !

i've resolve my problem:

> Install Advance Steel

> create the Advance Steel Object 2021\Data folder in C\programdata\autodes

> Move all Databases concerned

> Edit the Databaseconfiguration.xml to replace paths and sqLinstance names

                > cause we use SQL2016 instead of 2014 and the sql instance called "Advance Steel 2021" is still launching with the 2014 version EVEN we have later version installed

> re-launch Advance Steel

> prey

but it isn't workig well, i've lost all my configuration in autocad (UI\Toolbars\customs panels etc)

i'll try one last time, @Sebastian_Eiche can you send me the ASSettings_Advance.xml file you speak (with PM if you want) ?

but it's weird, for the 2019/2020 migration, got no problem, even with previous beta installed.

[AntDrt]

update:

After re-installing, don't make migration at first launch.

> 1st launch : OK with all defaults

then, back to 

C\ProgramData\Autodesk\AdvanceSteel2021\FRA\Configuration\DatabaseConfiguration.xml

> Set the instance Name to "MSSQLLocalDB", the old one corresponding to the SQL 2016 version

use the migrate settings again (hope this one use the instance called "MSSQLLocalDB" instead of the default one ("AdvanceSteel2021") which is on a older version of SQL

make the migration one by one for each case

> is says me "The Authors table was not found in the selected database."

for each case

[AntDrt]

YES YES YES YES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

did it !

resume of my config:

Advance Steel 2020 (base)

Advance Steel 2021 (new version)

Microsoft SQL Server 2016 LocalDB

so now step by step:

1/Install Advance Steel

2/ create folder called "Advance Steel Objects 2021" at path C\ProgramData\Autodesk , then copy/paste the databases 

created by the new installation of Advance Steel "C\ProgramData\Autodesk\Advance Steel 2021\Lang\kernel ; Steel ; Stress Analysis ; User 2"

3/at 1rst launch do not use the differents migration tools (Autocad & Advance Steel), select the langage corresponding of the copied databases

4/ you might have the advance steel with all settings by default

5/ close Advance Steel

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A this point i'll describe something specific to my problem due i've a newer version of SQL server

6/ Go to my Configuration folder then edit the "DatabaseConfiguration.xml" file

7/ change the instance name for my sql databases ( AdvanceSteel2021 -> MSSQLLocalDB), save the file

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now it will be funny:

the Asmigrator.exe doesn't use the good Sql instance Name, it use the instance "AdvanceSteel2021" not "MSSQLLocalDB", and it forces the instance "AdvanceSteel2021" to be 12.0.6024

remind: 

instance "AdvanceSteel2021" is version 12.0.6024

instance "MSSQLLocalDB" is version 13.1.4001.0 and my Databases in AS 2020 are 13.1.4001.0

so the instance "AdvanceSteel2021" cannot connect to my databases, cause they uses a newer version of SQL

so i used the following

8/ use the Advance steel migrator

9/ use cmd.exe

10/ type in the command prompt : SQLLocalDB stop AdvanceSteel2021

                                 means i stop the AdvanceSteel2021 instance 12.0.6024.0

11/ type in the command prompt : SQLLocalDB delete AdvanceSteel2021

                                means i KILL the AdvanceSteel2021 instance 12.0.6024.0

12/ type in the command prompt : SQLLocalDB create AdvanceSteel2021

                                means i create the AdvanceSteel2021 instance WITH VERSION 13.1.4001.0 (the good one)

13/type in the command prompt : SQLLocalDB start AdvanceSteel2021

                               means i start the AdvanceSteel2021 instance WITH VERSION 13.1.4001.0 (the good one)

14/Go back to the migrator Window, tick all cases and then clik on the "OK" button

15/ Wait it's done........................ and Holy Sh** it works !!!!!

it's good now, but i 've only lost my previous Autocad UI, but i can easily make them back with an manual export from the 2020 version, and manual import in the CUI of AdvanceSteel 2021.

Hope, this will help some people....