Expert: Bill DeShawn - 1/27/2008

Question
QUESTION: I have recently been given the package by a friend. It appears to be complete except I can't get it to install. The cd instructions say to insert a floppy disk into the a drive and type setup but I only have the cd rom disk. Any suggestions on finding an install disk or solving the problem another way? Thanks
Buck

ANSWER: I think this is one of those instances where Autodesk was in transition from floppy drive installation to CD installation.  So, if your CD drive is drive D:, type D:\SETUP from START;RUN or from a command prompt. What does your friend say about an installation floppy?

Also, Buck, AutoCAD licenses are no longer tranferrable.  If your friend bought AutoCAD, you will not be allowed to register the software.  It may not matter with Rel 13. in that it may still run, but if he has been buying upgrades on his software ever since R13, his license on his current copy is at risk.

Bill DeSshawn
http://my.sterling.net/~bdeshawn


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks,
I tried but there is no setup file on the cd in any directory.My friend says he has never updated, nor even installed the package, bought for work and never had need so license is no problem. If you can't suggest another solution maybe you could suggest an inexpensive or freeware program that I might use for fairly simple and occasional use. I need to plan some accessories to build for some of my power tools and some jigs.Many years ago I spent a pile of money on Generic CAD which must be run under DOS and doesn't support anything but dot matrix printers, so I need something to replace it with.
Buck

Answer
There is an alternative to AutoCAD, called Intellicad and can be found at:
http://intellicad.org/
Using it will help you to learn AutoCAD commands and actually prepare you for AutoCAD use.  Menu customization is quite different now, but AutoLISP is supported, and so is VBA.  It's about a tenth the price of AutoCAD, but it's functionality is almost equal in terms of commands, objects and customization.  But Autodesk holds the marketshare and until people eventually wise up (which may never happen, because, myself included, we're all such SHEEP!), we're going to have to put with it.  
Another alternative and more expensve, unfortunately is AutoCAD LT.  It's $899.00 and climbing.  This one is upgradable to AutoCAD (full version).  Menu Customization is possible, but no support for AutoLISP or VBA without third-party software like DRCAUTO.  

You know, I just remembered this, but there was a Release 13 for DOS.  That might be the one that requires the setup disk in order to use the files on the CD.  Is THAT what you've got going on there?  If so, then unless you have a computer that runs a DOS 6.0 operating system, it won't work.  There's a slight chance that Windows 95 will run it as a "DOS" program, but I wouldn't count on it.  Also, modern processor speeds are just too fast for it.

Keep in touch
Bill DeShawn
http://my.sterling.net/~bdeshawn