Expert: Bob - 1/22/2008

Question
I was able, finally, to get my AutoCad R14 working with Vista.  However, when I try to use the commands MATCHPROP and IMAGE, the program returns the message: "Unknown command".  Can you help?

Answer
So you think I am so great that I can help you figure out how to use 11 year old software on a new OS, huh?  I am an Interior Designer, not an IT guy --- LOL

Sorry, I learned at the end of R14 in 1999, and moved on with 2000 later that year, but I think many things are constant.
-- You do not say whether these commands work from the pull-down menus and the toolbars (assuming they were on toolbars then, which I think they were). My first test is always to try all three ways, to see if anything is messed up.
I presume neither the alias (shortcut) nor typing the entire command is working for you.

My first thought would be that you, having owned the software since the days of heavy customization, have some old customization that Vista does not like.
My second would be to ask after "finally got it working" if you might try re-installing, to see if something got messed up while you were fishing to get it to work.
My third would be to go to the Autodesk Discussion Groups and see how others managed the Vista/R14 thing.

http://discussion.autodesk.com/forum.jspa?forumID=15
type VISTA in the search window
Also try R14 VISTA in Google

When something needs looking up, I figure the questioner will learn more by reading the material than by me trying to figure out something and distill a short reply here.

If the menu or toolbars does it, I would tend to cross my fingers and be happy, but let me do a slight commercial for AutoCAD 2008 LT (2009 by April) with vast new capabilities -- and, if you are using this for work, probably enough time saving to pay for itself very quickly. (of course, one would have to learn and use all the new stuff for it to be worthwhile, but I am one who enjoys newer/faster/easier a lot)

Good luck

BOB