Use our Screensaver Maker to build professional Windows screensavers from animated objects (sprites), photo slideshows and video clips. Compile SCR and EXE installers and distribute your creations royalty‑free.
Create screensavers based on moving sprites, photo slideshows with transitions, or video clips in popular formats.
Work in an intuitive, ribbon‑based interface with drag & drop support, built‑in librarian and file browser.
Compile professional SCR and EXE install packages, including trial versions with unlock codes.
Choose from 8 languages, add RSS feeds, include background music and configure behaviours like collisions and bounces.
“We built a branded screensaver in a single afternoon. Sprites, collisions and background music—then compiled an EXE installer for our marketing team.”
— Sophie R., Marketing Designer
“The slideshow engine is perfect for photo campaigns. Watermarks, fade transitions, and a professional installer that we signed and deployed company‑wide.”
— Daniel K., IT Administrator
“I turned a promo MP4 into a looping video screensaver, added an RSS ticker, and shipped a trial build with unlock codes. Smooth WYSIWYG workflow.”
— Mina L., Indie Publisher
The "Unable to find a license" error in is a common obstacle for structural engineers, typically stemming from communication gaps between the software and its licensing service. Whether you are using a standalone
setup, the issue generally relates to missing files, incorrect server paths, or hardware locking mismatches. 1. Root Causes and Error Mechanics Licensing in ETABS relies on the Sentinel RMS License Manager
. When the program starts, it scans local directories or the network for a valid file or a running license server. Communication Lag
: On networks, ETABS may time out before finding the server. Corrupted Registry
: Faulty installations can lead to "Error #0," where registry entries are mismatched. Hardware Changes : Licenses are often locked to a machine's Ethernet Address CPU Info String
. Reformatting a computer or changing hardware components can invalidate the existing license. Privilege Issues
: Windows User Account Control (UAC) may block ETABS from accessing the necessary registry keys or system folders if not run with Administrative privileges CSI Knowledge Base 2. Troubleshooting Standalone Licenses
For users with a single-user license, the software looks for the license file locally. Verify the : Ensure a file named
exists in the ETABS v18 installation folder. This file contains the encrypted authorization code. Check Locking Codes WechoID.exe
utility (found in the installation folder) to confirm that the machine's current locking code matches the one used to generate the license. Date/Time Sync
: Ensure your system date and time are accurate. A discrepancy can cause the Sentinel driver to reject the license. CSI Knowledge Base 3. Resolving Network License Failures
Network errors usually occur when the "client" (your PC) cannot find the "server" (the machine holding the licenses). The LMHOST.INI Fix
: You can manually point ETABS to the server by creating a text file named LMHOST.INI
in the installation directory. Inside this file, simply type the Server Name IP Address of the license server. Firewall Exceptions Port 5093 (UDP)
is open on the server’s firewall, as this is the default port for Sentinel RMS communication. User Settings Folder
: If you lack admin rights to the installation folder, you can place your LMHOST.INI %LocalAppData%\Computers and Structures\ETABS 18 Thales Group 4. Summary of Common Error Codes
The "Unable to find a license" error in ETABS 18 usually occurs because the Sentinel RMS License Manager service has stopped or the lservrc license file is missing from the installation folder. 🛠️ Step-by-Step Fixes 1. Restart the License Service The most common cause is a stalled background service. Open Services (type services.msc in Windows Search). Find Sentinel RMS License Manager. Right-click it and select Restart.
Ensure the Status says "Running" and Startup Type is "Automatic". 2. Verify the License File (lservrc) ETABS needs a specific file to validate your activation. unable to find a license etabs 18
Go to the ETABS installation folder (usually C:\Program Files\Computers and Structures\ETABS 18). Look for a file named lservrc (no extension).
If it is missing, you must regenerate it using your activation key or copy it from your license server.
Tip: Some users find success by copying this file into the CSiLicensing subfolder as well. 3. Check System Date and Time
Sentinel licensing is time-sensitive. If your PC's clock is significantly off, the license will fail. Go to Settings > Time & Language. Ensure Set time automatically is ON. Click Sync now to force an update. 4. Fix Network Connectivity (For Network Licenses Only)
If you use a server license, the client needs to know where to look.
Create a text file named lmhost.ini in the ETABS installation folder.
Inside the file, type only the IP Address or Name of your license server.
Ensure UDP Port 5093 is open on your firewall for communication. ETABS® Version 18.1.2 - Computers and Structures, Inc.
Troubleshooting ETABS 18: "Unable to Find a License" Errors For structural engineers, ETABS is the backbone of the design process. However, few things are as frustrating as meeting a deadline only to be met with the dreaded "Unable to find a license" or "License Not Found" error message upon startup.
Whether you are using a standalone license or a network-based setup, this guide breaks down the most common causes and the step-by-step solutions to get you back to modeling. 1. Verify the License Service Status
The most common culprit for ETABS 18 license issues is that the Sentinel RMS License Manager has stopped running on your machine or the server. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter. Scroll down to find Sentinel RMS License Manager.
Check the "Status" column. If it’s blank, right-click it and select Start. If it’s already running, right-click and select Restart.
Set the "Startup Type" to Automatic to prevent future occurrences. 2. Update the Environment Variable (System Variable)
If ETABS doesn't know where to look for the license, it will default to a "not found" error. This is especially common with Network Licenses.
Right-click on This PC or My Computer and select Properties. Click on Advanced System Settings > Environment Variables. Under "System Variables," click New. Set the Variable Name to: LSFORCEHOST
Set the Variable Value to your computer’s name (for standalone) or the Server’s IP address (for network licenses). Restart ETABS. 3. Check the "lservrc" File
The lservrc file contains the actual license string. If this file is missing or corrupted in the installation directory, ETABS 18 will fail to launch. The "Unable to find a license" error in
Navigate to the ETABS installation folder (usually C:\Program Files\Computers and Structures\ETABS 18). Look for a file named lservrc (it has no extension).
If it’s missing, you may need to run the CSiLicensing.exe utility found in the same folder to re-generate it using your activation code.
If you have a standalone license file provided by your admin, copy it into this folder and ensure it is named exactly lservrc. 4. Firewall and Antivirus Interference
Sometimes, your security software flags the license communication as suspicious activity, blocking the "handshake" between the software and the license manager. Temporarily disable your antivirus to see if ETABS opens.
If it does, add an Exclusion for the ETABS 18 installation folder.
In Windows Firewall, ensure that the Sentinel RMS License Manager (usually lserv.exe) is allowed through both private and public networks. 5. Address Version Compatibility
ETABS 18 uses a specific version of the Sentinel RMS License Manager. If you have older or much newer CSI products installed, there might be a conflict.
Ensure you are using Sentinel RMS License Manager v9.4 or higher, which is generally required for ETABS 18.
If you recently updated Windows, you might need to reinstall the CSI License Utilities. 6. Check for License Expiration
It sounds simple, but licenses often expire without the user noticing, especially at the start of a new quarter or year.
Open the CSiActivation.exe (found in the install directory). Check the status of your activation code.
If it shows "Expired," you will need to contact your company’s license administrator or CSI support for a renewal code. Conclusion
Most "Unable to find a license" errors in ETABS 18 are resolved by restarting the Sentinel RMS service or correctly setting the LSFORCEHOST variable. If you've tried these steps and are still locked out, it may be a deeper issue with the license seat count being exceeded on your network.
Are you dealing with a standalone installation or a network license shared across an office?
If you are using a network license, the computer hosting the keys needs to be running the FlexLM Server software.
The Troubleshooting Steps:
ping [ServerIP]. If you get "Request Timed Out," the server is offline, or your firewall is blocking it.If you have tried everything above and still see "unable to find a license ETABS 18," the issue is likely hardware failure or a broken license file. Ping the Server: Open Command Prompt (cmd) and
1. Test the Dongle on Another Computer
2. Contact CSI Technical Support
http://localhost:1947).haspdump.exe).3. Reinstall Windows (Nuclear Option)
If the error persists:
License Manager Status screenshot and Debug.log from C:\ProgramData\CSI\Licenses\Logs\Report Prepared By: [Your Name/Title]
Approved By: [IT Admin / Support Manager]
The error message "Unable to find a license" in ETABS v18 typically indicates that the software cannot locate a valid license file (lservrc) or establish a connection with the license server. This can happen due to expired licenses, incorrect server configuration, or missing administrative permissions. 1. Common Causes
If you're getting the "Unable to find a license" error in ETABS 18, it typically stems from a connection gap between the software and your license file or server. 🛠️ Quick Troubleshooting Steps 1. Check the License Service
The background service must be running for the license to validate. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter. Find Sentinel RMS License Manager. Right-click and select Restart or Start if it's stopped. 2. Point to the License Server (Network License)
If your license is on another computer, ETABS might not see it. Create a text file named LMHOST.INI (ensure it's not .txt). Type the IP address or Server Name inside.
Place it in the ETABS 18 installation folder: C:\Program Files\Computers and Structures\ETABS 18. 3. Verify the Locking Code (Standalone License) Mismatched hardware codes often block standalone licenses.
Run echoid.exe from the installation folder to see your machine's locking code.
Compare this code with your license file (lservrc) or activation info.
If they don't match, you must deactivate and reactivate your key.
The issue was resolved by:
Post-resolution check: ETABS 18 launched successfully, all modules functional.
In Windows 10 and 11, security protocols are strict.
The Fix:
@server_hostname or @192.168.1.10lmtools.exe (Config Services tab).lmgrd.exe and csilmgrd.exe.27000@lic_server if default port changed.Download the 30‑day free trial or buy a license to publish royalty‑free Windows screensavers.
Windows 7–11 • Per‑user perpetual license • 1‑year updates & lifetime support