This is a condensed version of the CD sleeve or Read Me First card included with all HydroCAD programs.
Installing your HydroCAD system
The current HydroCAD release will run on most Windows-based computers.
Details here.
To install HydroCAD, run the "setup" program from the HydroCAD disk or download. Follow the on-screen instructions to install HydroCAD on a local drive. When setup is complete, start HydroCAD and review the on-line Tutorial, which will run automatically.
Note: HydroCAD should not be run in Windows "Compatibility mode". HydroCAD is designed to run as a native application on all supported Windows platforms. Using "Compatibility mode" can cause hard-to-diagnose problems and should never be used! To verify your settings, right-click the HydroCAD icon and check the Compatibility tab.
Administrators' tip: If you are preparing a script for automatic installation on multiple computers, you may use "setup /silent" to perform a silent installation on each PC. Please review the license agreement for details on license usage.
Installing an update
Any program updates should be installed with the standard installation procedure described here. The update should be installed to the same location as your previous version of HydroCAD for Windows. Program settings and user data files are not altered by the installation process.
1) Updates should always be installed to the same folder as your current installation. Although the SETUP program will allow you to install to a different folder, this is not recommended, since the previous installation will become inactive.
2) A PC can only have a single active version of HydroCAD at any given time. Whenever you want to change versions (up or down), we recommend that you always install to the same folder as your current installation. This will make your previous data files immediately available, and avoid any confusion about file locations.
3) If you wish to install the Sampler on your PC, run the setup program as described above. Note that the Sampler will replace any previous HydroCAD installation. However, you can revert to your previous installation by running the applicable setup program. (Be sure you have your earlier CD before installing the Sampler!)
4) You normally do not need to uninstall before installing a new version. Uninstall is recommended only when upgrading from HydroCAD 6.00. You do not need to uninstall when upgrading from any other release.
Using different editions
Whenever you install a different version or edition of HydroCAD, it will replace any edition already on your computer. However, all data and settings are preserved and are immediately available for use by whatever software was most recently installed.
For example, if you start with the HydroCAD Sampler and subsequently install a full program, the full program will replace the Sampler, retaining all your settings and data. This also applies to the trial, metered and express editions.
This means that you can only have one HydroCAD installation at any given time. If for some reason you need to switch back-and-forth between editions, it takes just a few seconds to run the desired setup program and make the switch.
Note: Installing different editions to separate folders is not recommended and is not supported. This will result in duplicate copies of various data files, leaving you and Windows confused about how to run the program! When you install a different edition, always install it over any previous HydroCAD installation.
What if I want to revert to an earlier version?
Just install the earlier version to the same folder as your current installation. You do not need to uninstall your current program. (See details in previous section.)
Installing on a network
HydroCAD must always be installed on the individual PC's where it will used. However, you may share your liense(s) over a network subject to the terms of the License Agreement. For further details please read about license pooling.
File Sharing
There are several types of files that you may want to share between multiple HydroCAD installations. For project files, just place the file in a shared folder. Other files, such as custom rainfalls or chamber definitions, can be shared by placing them in the same folder as the project(s) that use them. No special setup is required, since HydroCAD always looks in the current project folder for these custom files. However, if you want to share data files that are used by projects in different folders, you can setup shared data files.
Increasing your node capacity
To increase your node capacity, start HydroCAD and enter your revised serial number on the Settings|Serial Number screen in place of the old number. Unless you are also installing a newer version of HydroCAD, you don't need to re-install the software - just enter the new serial number.
Moving to a new PC
To move HydroCAD to a new computer, do a standard installation on the new PC as described above. You should also copy any HydroCAD project files that were stored on the old PC. When you start HydroCAD on the new PC, enter your serial number or setup license pooling.
You can remove the old program using the Uninstall option under Start|Programs|HydroCAD -or- you can leave it in place if you are going to use license pooling to share the license.
Updating from HydroCAD-5 or earlier
Earlier programs were normally installed in C:\HydroCAD, and are not altered as long as the new program is installed in C:\ProgramFiles\HydroCAD, as recommended by the setup program. Network users should also install to C:\ProgramFiles\HydroCAD, rather than to a network drive as recommended with earlier versions.
To import projects from HydroCAD-5 (or earlier), use Project|Import|HydroCAD-5 on the new HydroCAD menu. This will translate any existing project without altering the original files.
Installation problems
 | If you get a "Corrupt file" message when running setup, your setup file is
damaged. Download the program again or obtain a new CD. |
| If you get an "insufficient rights" message, please contact your system
administrator for assistance. You must have "administrator" rights in
order to run the setup program.
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| If you have trouble running HydroCAD please read about possible startup problems. |