Expert: Bill DeShawn - 7/2/2009

Question
QUESTION: My insert & ddinsert commands suddenly stopped working properly.  When I type 'insert' or 'ddinert' at the command line & hit enter I get nothing instead of the usual dialogue box that used to pop up.  If I hit enter again I get prompted to 'specify insertion point or....' I've tried typing 'insert', enter, & then the '~' to get a dialogue box.  Insert from the pull-down menu is giving me the same problem.  Any ideas of what might be going on?  (Thanks so much!) :)

ANSWER: Heidi
First, let's go for the obvious.  Check your CMDDIA and FILEDIA system variables and make sure their both set to 1. This may or may not work.  But something tells me that for 2000, it should work.  If they don't work, write me a follow-up.  I don't think the dialog is somewhere off-screen because you are getting command line responses to the command.  So, let's go with that for now.  Also, when things like this happens, be sure to exit AutoCAD and launch it again to see if the problem can fix itself that way.  You can even try restarting the computer.  

Let me know how it goes.  

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


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

QUESTION: Bill, Thanks for the response.  I was wondering if some obscure system variable might be the issue.  However, both my CMDDIA & FILEDIA are set to 1.  I've rebooted my computer numerous times.  Since I typically use a dual screen setup, I've also tried it on just my laptop & any other possible combination to make sure it wasn't somewhere off screen.  Any other system variables that you can think of?  I really think I'm going to need to reload AutoCAD (I've also had several bizarre issues with my custom ctb file when I go to plot from CAD-they're mostly resolved.  However, what got my ctb to finally work made no sense whatsoever.)  It may just be time to 'start over'.  What do you think?

Answer
See if you can do a repair installation using the original installation disk(s) and the Control Panel;Add/Remove Programs;Change;Repair or Reinstall; Repair Installation.

It may be a little different than what I describe up there, but it should be close.

At this point, I can't think of any other system variable that would cause this problem.

Let me know how it goes
Bill DeShawn
http://my.sterling.net/~bdeshawn