Can't make Space Navigator work in SolidWorks 2005

[pbengtss]

Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit
SolidWorks 2005 SP0
Space Navigator (USB)

I successfully installed "3DxWare64_v10-2-1_r1873.exe" as administrator, the trainer and puzzle work fine. But nothing happens in SW, not even the buttons work.

I tried:
1) Disable the add-in 3Dcontrol in SW, close SW, open and re-enabe 3Dcontrol add-in in SW
2) Repair 3Dconnexion 3DxWare 10 (64-bit) in "Prograns and Features"
3) Remove SolidWorks plug-in through "Programs and Features" -> Modify, then re-installing the plug-in again.

Any ideas would be appreciated!

[pbengtss]

How do I edit a post...?

Let me add that the Properties "app" (from tray) recognizes SolidWorks and I can change Advanced and Buttons settings. Everything looks OK.

[pbengtss]

No ideas?

[UtaSH]

Hi pbengts,

you could try a very old driver that we offer in our software archive. Select a discontinued product like the "SpaceBall 5000 USB" and "Windows Vista 64bit". The driver package would be 3DxSoftware 3.7.22. Note that this driver was released when even no Windows 7 was out. So it hadn't been tested with a newer version of Windows than Vista. This driver package should have support for SolidWorks 2005.

[pbengtss]

OK, but the current driver should also work, right? The question is why it doesn't.

[ngomes]

Hi pbengtss,

The question is why it doesn't.

We do not know. It is likely that there's some sort of API issue when running SW2005 on Windows 7. Are you running the application as administrator or as a different user? If so that may well be the problem.

[pbengtss]

I'm running it as administrator.

[ngomes]

I'm running it as administrator.

This is probably the source of the issue. The driver and the application must be run as the same user and with the same privilege elevation.

Can you run the application as a normal user? If not, try starting the driver (3dxsrv.exe) with elevated privileges ("run as administrator").

[pbengtss]

Works like a charm! I would not have figured that out on my own - Thank you!!!
I have to run SW as administrator so that's why it didn't work.

[ngomes]

Hi pbengtss,

Good to see that you have sorted it out.

I have to run SW as administrator so that's why it didn't work.

Please note that running applications and drivers "as administrator" will decrease the security of your system. 3Dconnexion does not recommend that you force programs to run with elevated privileges.