Expert: Bob - 5/27/2011

Question
I am using an R-14 Auto Cad program. I occasionally work on maps. I am mostly self taught. The problem: I was working on a map, and clicked on zoom (maybe one too many times) when the Fatal Error message displayed. I said yes to save the information. The system did an audit and said 0 errors- 0 repairs. However, the map and all the work I had done on it would not regenerate. Is there a way that I can recover back to a time before the Error? I hope this makes sense, and you can help. Thanks millions!

Answer
Sorry -- and remember, over 15 years of progress means I may have forgotten the exact flaws of R14, and that many of the flaws are gone now

Once AutoCAD crashes, your only hopes are:

1-- do you have an autosave copy in your Windows Temp file -- if so, you can change the extension from .sv$ to .dwg
I set Autosave to 10 min, 5 min when working 3d

2 -- if you had saved the drawing recently, there is a .bak file which you can rename to a  .dwg, in the same directory as the main file

If you have disallowed both the above in OPTIONS, you are toast, sorry

3-- cant count on AutoCAD's trying to save a mess that is crashing, especially on older releases.

4 -- I used to have a post-it saying "SAVE" on my monitor

Good luck

BOB