Can't start SPSS 21

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Can't start SPSS 21

Hi everybody,

today I purchased the professional version of IBMs SPSS Statistics. The installation process went smooth with no problem but I absolutely can't start the application.

Here's the exact process:

I launch SPSSStatistics from my applications folder
The startup window pops up
After approximately one minute I get an error message saying: "Generic network error inet:local computer:0"
The only option is to click "OK" which leads me to a window with the heading "server log in: local computer" where I can select a server "local computer" or add a new one.
When playing around with these options I get the message that the application can't connect to the local host.

I have absolutely no idea what to do. The application runs smoothly on my Windows via bootcamp.

I am running OS X 10.8 on my 2009 MacBook.

Any help is appreciated. Thank you.

SPSS 21-OTHER, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2), Mid-2009 MacBook

Posted on Mar 13, 2013 2:38 PM

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Answer 1

HSG-HK

Level 1

10 points

Mar 14, 2013 6:25 AM in response to thisisfred

Hi Fred,

I am having exactly the same problem. Running OSX 10.8.2 on Early 2011 MBP. Running latest Java too. Have IBM tech support been of any assistance?

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Answer 2

thisisfred Author

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Mar 14, 2013 6:29 AM in response to HSG-HK

Hi,

I called the IBM tech support. But since I "only" own a student license they can't offer me telephone support and send me a link to a website. I tried sending a support request but the website won't let me.

I also contacted my university's tech support but they weren't able to help either and need to contact IBM. Maybe they find an answer.

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Answer 3

HSG-HK

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10 points

Mar 14, 2013 7:50 AM in response to thisisfred

That's an awful predicament to be in! Let me know if you get any resolution. I will do the same. HSG

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Answer 4

thisisfred Author

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Mar 14, 2013 7:56 AM in response to HSG-HK

I surely will. Let's hope we can solve this problem sooner than later as my licence runs out on Aug. 1st!

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Answer 5

HSG-HK

Level 1

10 points

Mar 14, 2013 6:56 PM in response to thisisfred

Fred, can you make a new user profile with Administrator rights (System Preferences -> Users & Groups -> Click the padlock, enter your password, then press the + button). Once created, log out of your usual username entirely. Log into the new user. Try to open SPSS, let me know if it works.

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Answer 6

thisisfred Author

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Mar 15, 2013 3:29 AM in response to HSG-HK

Wow. This works. This is strange since my usual user is markes as "admin" …

Thanks a lot!

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Answer 7

HSG-HK

Level 1

10 points

Mar 15, 2013 5:12 AM in response to thisisfred

Did you migrate all of your files from the original user? If so, what approach did you take and did it corrupt the new user?

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Answer 8

HSG-HK

Level 1

10 points

Mar 22, 2013 10:28 PM in response to thisisfred

Fred,

Did you manage to fix the problem on the original user account? Or are you using two different accounts so that you can use SPSS?

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Answer 9

gasano

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May 2, 2013 5:55 AM in response to thisisfred

Hi Fred, I am having the same problem you outlined. SPSS 21 (27" iMac mid-2011, Lion 10.8.3, latest Java). Install is trying to find some local host, then stops responding. I have been working with IBM support. We tried the new account strategy and SPSS 21 did run. But... it is a pain to switch back and forth. So I would be grateful if you could provide an update on your status? Are you switching between accounts? Did you migrate? Any info would be helpful.

P.S. I also tried a re-build of my user admin account (original one, not the special one set up for SPSS) refer to URL below:

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-57437548-263/how-to-rebuild-a-user-account- in-os-x/

The solution looked promising but I am still getting the same error after the re-build. I am frustrated...

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Answer 10

thisisfred Author

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May 2, 2013 6:06 AM in response to gasano

Hi,

until buying my new Retina MacBook Pro I used SPSS 21 with two accounts since I knew that I would get a new laptop soon. So I avoided the stress to migrate all files from the standard user to my SPSS one. Switching back and forth is very annoying, especially when you do not have all your reference journals on the SPSS user.

To mimimalize the effects of having two users I created a shared folder between the two in which I saved all my SPSS outputs and stored all the guides, journals and data I needed to work with SPSS.

In your situation I would recommend to migrate all your data to your new user. It surely isn't the most convenient solution but the only one known to us right now. Here is a small guide to transfer all your data.

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-10386342-263.html

In case you are interested: SPSS runs perfectly on my brand new MacBook Pro. I assume the error is triggered by some action while using the mac.

Hope this helps.

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Answer 11

gasano

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May 2, 2013 6:14 AM in response to thisisfred

Thanks for the information. Needless to say I’m jealous... (SPSS working AND Retina MBP).../Grateful.

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Answer 12

furjo

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May 16, 2013 8:27 AM in response to gasano

I have the same problem, but (thanks to a Dutch site, http://www.onemorething.nl/community/topic/spss-21-opstarten-tip/) I have discovered that SPSS starts normally using Terminal and sudo:

sudo /Applications/IBM/SPSS/Statistics/21/SPSSStatistics.app/Contents/MacOS/stats

(it will ask for your password)

So I suspect it is a problem of permissions. If I find a definitive solution, I will post it here.

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Answer 13

May 24, 2013 6:07 AM in response to furjo

I had the same problem exactly. I had installed SPSS 21 on a user profile with another local admin account

I log out and log in with my admin account and installed SPSS 21. There after the user logged in and start SPSS without error localhost.

Otherwise, try to only install SPSS version 21.0.0.0 is a subsequent 21.0.0.1 might be the problem?

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Answer 14

Jun 6, 2013 11:05 AM in response to furjo

I'm having a same problem here, and keep wondering whether I've done something wrong with my current user account since it was fine when i first installed it, and it works good on my new account now. but nothing changes on the side of my original account. i've literally reinstalled SPSS 20 & 21 several times already...

but yea starting SPSS from the terminal is by far the best way to get around with this issue, thanks furjo for this! but please be sure to let us know when there's a final solution!

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Answer 15

Jul 10, 2013 11:49 PM in response to furjo

I used your solution (using Terminal and sudo) and spss 21 works fine now. To me it is the easier way than creating a new account, because of the migration problem of all the data etc.

Thanks a lot for providing us with this solution.

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