topic Re: Cannot access the license server to move permanent license to new computer in Mathcad Installation

Cannot access the license server to move permanent license to new computer

KH_2288677 — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 19:18:15 GMT

I have a copy of Mathcad 14 (with the original disk and receipts). My computer died and I had to move it to a new computer. During the install, it goes to log into PTC to get the license (after entering the product code), but returns errors saying I don't have permission.

I've got the license file from the old computer, but since it is tied to that computer, it doesn't work on the new one. I've gotten no response from PTC when asking for help.

FWIW, it's on a brand new Win 11 computer.

Re: Cannot access the license server to move permanent license to new computer

KH_2288677 — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 01:50:31 GMT

I figured out something that works....maybe this will help others. Use this link to request a new license: Got it...go here: https://support.ptc.com/support/mathcad_supportCenter.htm?_gl=1*atnvhw*_gcl_au*NTc3MTU3ODYwLjE3Njg0MjE1NTA.*_ga*MjE1Njk3NDI2LjE3Njg0MjE1NDk.*_ga_7NMP2MSYPM*czE3Njg0MTc0NzAkbzEkZzEkdDE3Njg0MjE5NDckajQxJGwwJGgw

Once that is installed, Mathcad says it is valid, but the first time you try to run, it gives the same error. To fix that, go to the directory containing mathcad.exe and right-click on it. Select properties and set "run as administrator" and "apply." That seems to eliminate the license error.

Re: Cannot access the license server to move permanent license to new computer

RF_10860016 — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 12:05:58 GMT

Be grateful if you can help with my problem.

I have Mathcad 14 which runs fine on an old Windows XP computer, but won't open on W11. I have the same files on the XP, the W11 and a standby hard disc.

On XP it opens from local files, or from the standby hard disc. But on the W11, from local or standby disc files I get

Error Unable to create 12.0 engine factory.

Any suggestions? I put engine factory in the search box and it did not recognise it!

Re: Cannot access the license server to move permanent license to new computer

KH_2288677 — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 13:39:41 GMT

Let me start by saying I am in no way an expert -- just another frustrated PTC customer that has to figure things out on their own!

If the Win XP is a different computer, it'll have a different license. (I'm assuming you have the original install disk and you have a fixed-node license, since that is what most of us had with Mathcad 14.) If you do have the disk and the product code, you can use the link I gave above to get a license for the new computer. (Pay attention to the screen that opens -- it'll tell you how to run a command on your computer to get a machine ID that is used to generate the license.) Even after doing that, I had to change the properties on the mathcad.exe file on my hard drive to always open in administrator mode....I think that is a pain brought to us by the makers of Windows 11. That alone seems to solve a lot of problems. Good luck.

Re: Cannot access the license server to move permanent license to new computer

KH_2288677 — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 13:41:29 GMT

Oh....and you could try setting the property on the mathcad.exe to compatibility mode for XP on the Win11 machine. (I didn't need to do that once I set it to administrator.)

Re: Cannot access the license server to move permanent license to new computer

RF_10860016 — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 14:02:00 GMT

Thanks, but tried that (and all the other compatibility options) - no joy

Re: Cannot access the license server to move permanent license to new computer

KH_2288677 — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 14:31:08 GMT

How about the new license option? (Assuming you have the disk and product code, of course.)

Re: Cannot access the license server to move permanent license to new computer

RF_10860016 — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 14:33:21 GMT

Can you re-send the link please? I seem to have lost it. I have the disc and code.

Re: Cannot access the license server to move permanent license to new computer

RF_10860016 — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 14:44:33 GMT

On second thoughts, just found it! I'll have a go. What frustrates me is the engine factory thing. I can't find what it is or how to get it.