FM 2020 crashing on Windows VM

[Ruchi36250833v5kb]

Hello...has anyone tried working with FrameMaker 2020 on Windows Virtual Machines? We got a Windows server license installed to enable multiple users to work in parallel on the VM. But FM keeps crashing. Its behaviour is random. Working fine for one user. Any thoughts or how to resolve this? Thank you.

[Jeff_Coatsworth]

Trying to run regular FM like that is probably a violation of your license - you'd want the FM Server version to do that I think. You can run regular FM on a virtual Windows machine, but it would just simulate 1 user at a time running it (just like if were installed on your physical machine).

[Ruchi36250833v5kb]

Hello Jeff,

All users have their respective FM license under Enterprise License agreement, so it is not like using a single desktop license for all users. We have used FMPS too in the past to queue jobs run by multiple users. In that scenario, FM used to get launched and closed after processing of files. Then launch again for another user. 

[Jeff_Coatsworth]

I'd suggest you contact the FM folks - see https://helpx.adobe.com/contact/enterprise-support.other.html#framemaker for your Adobe Support options. I'd recommend using the tcssup@adobe.com e-mail address as it reaches a team dedicated to Technical Communication Suite products including FrameMaker.

[Bob_Niland]

What version of Windows are the VMs emulating?
Anything interesting in:
C:\Users\{UserName}\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\FrameMaker\fmlogs\16\…

[Jeff_Coatsworth]

Wouldn't that be \16\ Bob?

[Bob_Niland]

Yep. Revised. Thanks.
Of course, this presumes that it's just FM that's crashing, and not the whole VM.

[Ruchi36250833v5kb]

Yes, it is only FM crashing. Not the VM. Everything else on the VM is running fine. Also, it is just a test VM as of now to check the feasibility of multiple users working in parallel. Will check the mentioned path.

[Jeff_Coatsworth]

Back to my advice about contacting the FM folks.

[Matt S - Tech Comm Tools]

I'm having trouble following the previous replies, so pardon any of my response that's already included in those previous replies.

First, I've used Fm on Windows exclusively via VM (vmware fusion) since 2012. I couldn't be happier. Adobe webinars (including tomorrow's RoboHelp Merged Help webinar), new feature videos, books, etc. all produced on a Macbook.

My question is with your Windows Server license. My understanding is that Windows Server is not the same as Windows desktop.

I'd expect you can easily use the current version of FrameMaker with the current version of Windows for desktop, with the current version of vmware fusion.

If you're looking to share licenses across a team, and keep on the right side of your EULA, consider services like a previous client of mine, Numecent