alright, I'll try to explain my prob as best as I can. I downloaded the apprentice program and try to install it. When I try to open it, I get a fatal error message that pops up so fast, I can't read it, then the license administrator pops up with a message that says, “invalid command line option specified”. Then, the program starts, but a message pops up and says, “houdini.exe load failed: no such file or directory”. I went and check the directory, and there IS a houdini.exe.

Diagnostic Output:
==================
If you are having licensing problems, please save this information and email it
to support@sidefx.com.

License Administrator output:
=============================
Generated on: Sat Feb 04 22:58:25 2006
Local host name: SCREWTAPE
Local server code: ae0c8295
Local ip address: 127.0.0.1
Number of servers: 1
License server name: screwtape (screwtape)
License server server code: ae0c8295
Server ip address: 127.0.0.1
License server is running: Yes
May read licenses from server: Yes
Has SERVER license: No
License server version: 8.0.474
May modify server from this machine: Yes
Redundant server keys: 0
Name Code Redundant Connected Transmission OK
—- —- ——— ——— —————
License Administrator version: 8.0.474

Also, my system specs are:

processor: AMD x64 3500+
RAM: 1 gig of DDR 2
graphics: NVIDIA 6800 GT PCI express

Are you starting Houdini from the Start menu? This first time it runs, it should pop up a dialog. Click on the first link to install a non-commercial license.

Hmm … some more ideas. Are you running WinXP 32-bit or WinXP 64-bit edition? Make sure that in your Services, both Houdini License Client and Houdini License Server are started. Is your system clock the correct time? Did you reboot after the installation? Is your computer connected to the internet?

edward
Are you starting Houdini from the Start menu? This first time it runs, it should pop up a dialog. Click on the first link to install a non-commercial license.

Hmm … some more ideas. Are you running WinXP 32-bit or WinXP 64-bit edition? Make sure that in your Services, both Houdini License Client and Houdini License Server are started. Is your system clock the correct time? Did you reboot after the installation? Is your computer connected to the internet?

I am starting Houdini from the start menu, but there's no pop up to install licenses. I'm running XP 32-bit. My system clock is correct. I rebooted after install. My computer is connected to the internet.

Are those services I mentioned running?

edward
Are those services I mentioned running?

yes, they are.

Just to be sure, could you try the latest daily build?

Also, please post a full diagnostic report via the License Administrator. From the top menu, choose View > Diagnostic Infomation. Save it to a text file and post it here.

alright, I installed the latest daily build, and the first error I get is the houdini console pops up and says this:

Adding Effects
Font Effects is an invalid font (or already installed)
Adding Software/Houdini
Font Software/Houdini is an invalid font (or already installed)
Adding 8.0.503/bin/gfont.exe
Font 8.0.503/bin/gfont.exe is an invalid font (or already installed)
Adding -Sq
Font -Sq is an invalid font (or already installed)
Adding -o
Font -o is an invalid font (or already installed)
Adding CProgram Files/Side Effects Software/Houdini 8.0.503/houdini/fonts/font.index
Font CProgram Files/Side Effects Software/Houdini 8.0.503/houdini/fonts/font.index is an invalid font (or already installed)
Saving font table to: CPROGRA~1/Side Effects Software/Houdini 8.0.503/houdini/fonts/font.index


When I open up the program, I get the same errors as before, and I still can't do anything once the program opens.

Here's the diagnostic info:

Diagnostic Output:
==================
If you are having licensing problems, please save this information and email it
to support@sidefx.com.

License Administrator output:
=============================
Generated on: Sun Feb 05 17:32:30 2006
Local host name: SCREWTAPE
Local server code: ae0c8295
Local ip address: 127.0.0.1
Number of servers: 1
License server name: screwtape (screwtape)
License server server code: ae0c8295
Server ip address: 127.0.0.1
License server is running: Yes
May read licenses from server: Yes
Has SERVER license: No
License server version: 8.0.503
May modify server from this machine: Yes
Redundant server keys: 0
Name Code Redundant Connected Transmission OK
—- —- ——— ——— —————
License Administrator version: 8.0.503
Http proxy host: (none)
Using standalone mode: Yes
Can retrieve http://license.sidefx.com/index.php: [license.sidefx.com] Yes

Installed licenses:
LicID Platform Product Ver Avail Expiry
—– ——– ——- — —– ——

sesictrl -i output:
===================
—– SERVER screwtape ——–

*** WARNING *** - No valid server lines found




hserver -l output:
==================
Hostname: SCREWTAPE
Uptime: 0:07:12
License Server: screwtape
Server Version: sesinetd8.0.503
Version: Houdini8.0.503
ReadAccess: +.+.+.*
WriteAccess: +.+.+.*

634 of 1023 Mb available
CPU Usage: 13% load
0 active tasks (1 slots)



licenses file:
==============
* Could not open the licenses file. *

You ran the setup program as a user who had Administrator priviledges right? Make sure you're doing that. Now, uninstall 8.0.503 and re-install it again but as custom. When asked which directory to install it to use something without spaces like: c:\houdini8.0.503

edward
You ran the setup program as a user who had Administrator priviledges right? Make sure you're doing that. Now, uninstall 8.0.503 and re-install it again but as custom. When asked which directory to install it to use something without spaces like: c:\houdini8.0.503

YOU'RE MY HERO!!! installing it in a direcroty with no spaces worked!!! I'm so happy!

That's the weirdest thing. Do you know what's special about your setup? I've installed Houdini on plenty of Windows machines before in the default directory and never had to change it.

edward
That's the weirdest thing. Do you know what's special about your setup? I've installed Houdini on plenty of Windows machines before in the default directory and never had to change it.

haha, don't ask me, I have no idea, but I'm stoked that things are working.