Installation issue OpenFOAM for Windows after restart
 

Dear all

I installed OpenFOAM for Windows (http://www.openfoam.com/download/install-windows.php) successfully on my Windows 10 PC (v1606+). After doing the same at work (Windows 7 64 bit), I could run OpenFOAM at first, but after restarting the PC, it didn't work anymore. I found out that reinstalling the software helps as long as no one shuts down the computer. It seems as there was a problem with Docker (see screenshot attached, "docker-machine.exe unknown"). Does anyone know what to do? Thank you in advance!

Best regards
Thomas

Attachment 49048

I can start OpenFOAM by opening the VM and typing "docker start of_plus_1606" (no error message and "of_plus_1606" displayed in terminal). But how can I access the workingDir, tutorials and so on? There is no /opt/OpenFOAM/OpenFOAM-v1606+.

It start container : docker start of_plus_1606
it then open the container i.e shell to work : docker attach of_plus_1606

I will suggest following procedures
i) click on docker-terminal and then type command docker start of_plus_1606
and then docker attach of_plus_1606 ..

ii) Then you will be inside the container with openfoam environment and then go inside workingDir which will be C:/Users/Thomas (assuming Thomas username there)

You can then see openfoam installation inside /opt/OpenFOAM/


Since you were facing strange issue , It will be good idea to send the to opencfd at this email id docker@opencfd.co.uk.

Also relating to first message , can you elaborate more .The message you have shown in snapshot , how you get it i.e by clicking OpenFOAM_Start .

Thank you very much! The "docker attach of_plus_1606" command was exactly what I was looking for. I can now work using the terminal in Oracle VM VirtualBox. I will also send an email to opencfd to report this issue.

Clicking on OpenFOAM_Start (link on my desktop) opens and quickly closes a window. By clicking on start_OF_ascii.bat (located on C:\Program Files (x86)\ESI\OpenFOAM\1606\Windows\Scripts) I can see the error message.

Hi ..Ok
Try following it will help

i) Right click over VirtualBox both as admin and normal user and then stop the default vm
ii.e right click ovr default and then stop it

ii) Now you click on OpenFOAM_start and it should work . Let me know if this resolve the issue

The default VM is neither running with or without admin rights and still clicking on OpenFOAM_Start does not work. It is only possible to start the default VM by opening the Oracle software and work inside this terminal.

That's strange. You are using window10 ? Click on the docker terminal tool box shortcut from Desktop
and type "docker ps -a" from its terminal . See whether it output the name of container or gives some error

I am currently using Windows 7 (Windows 10 was okay). When I open the Docker Quickstart Terminal, it starts the default VM. Typing "docker ps -a" does not give any output, because docker.exe is unknown.

Ok Then in your environment variable you need to set path of docker toolbox . In general it added docker toolbox in path environment variable. i.e to C:\ProgramFiles\DockerToolbox
This should fix the issue

Hi Tom,
I face the same issues you've got. I followed the procedures in Openfoam official website (www.openfoam.com) step by step. However, when I try to start working, it does not work at all. I should mention that there is also no /opt directory and so "tutorial" folder. I would appreciate you to give me some insights how to figure out the problem, if you already did.

Hi
Tutorial can only be seen via terminal since they are located inside the docker image
. I have posted some question for problem faced by you in other location.

Just open Oracle VM Virtual Box and start "default". In the terminal type "docker start of_plus_1606" and then "docker attach of_plus_1606". You should now be able to access all tutorials and also find your workingDir.

To copy a tutorial and test the case:

All folders can be seen inside the VM via the terminal (command "ls" to list folders and files, command "pwd" to show current directory).

The environment variable for "DOCKER_TOOLBOX_INSTALL_PATH" was set correctly to "C:\Program Files\Docker Toolbox". Still it does not work the normal way. I have no idea why. At the moment I also have admin rights, but it does not make any difference if I am trying to start it as normal user or admin.

Hi . Also in can you see that PATH variable has also dockertool box path in it

Hi Tom,
Thank you very much again for the help.

I went through exactly as you mentioned. However, again I received an error which a snapshot of it has been attached here.

By the way, it is not facile working with VM-how can I for example, use scroll bar?
I have not had any experience using OVM.

Thanks
Abouzar

Hi Abouzar

I think you did not enter the cavity folder. It seems to me as you tried to run icoFoam in your workingDir. This is not about your installation, it's about OpneFOAM in general. It works exactly the same way as usual and you have to enter the case folder first.

I think "C:\Program Files\Docker Toolbox" might be missing in the PATH variable. On my Windows 10 PC I can see it. I will add it on my Windows 7 PC tomorrow and we will see if it works.

Best regards
Thomas

Yes, "C:\Program Files\Docker Toolbox" was missing in PATH. Now it works!

How to set the path and environment variables in Windows: http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000549.htm