Expert: Bob - 11/12/2007

Question
QUESTION: A few weeks ago the old Calcomp 3024 died and was replaced with an HP 110+ unit that is advertised as compatible with R14.
HP Tech support has been useless and claim they only support the hardware. Tried setting up the HP GL2 as suggested, but no joy. Been searching the web for a week now, and don't seem to find any answers. I build computer systems for professional Clients, so it's not like I'm a novice.
Should be simple, but I'm at a loss.
Any help would be great!
Thanks!
Steve

ANSWER: Well, I am no IT guy, but........
Any AutoCAD should run on any computer that is contemporary to the release or newer. Thus, I would guess your copy of R14 is corrupted, or you are trying to install customization, add-ons, etc. (I have no idea what an HP 110+ is, you dont tell me, but even I know a Calcomp is an antique)
I have personally installed many copies of AutoCAD in many locations, and they all ran.
I have no concept of why you would think HP should support software, let alone, frankly, 10 yr old software.
I do know that many engineers, etc are on R14. For me, any individual user in architecture would be miles ahead to spend the money on LT2008, if he planned to use the new features and not work in old ways.
You did not tell me what you use the R14 for. If I went looking for a better answer, I would post in the Autodesk AutoCAD discussion groups for you, but not having the specs of that HP, and not knowing what you are up to, I could not-- may I suggest that you do so.
Again, it is probably something simple, like....

HOLD ON!! I decided to stop and  look up the HP110. You gotta be smokin' something to
1-- assume I would know what it was
2-- not tell me clearly you are messing with antiques.
3-- not notice that 1997 software might not be happy on a 1984 computer. I am not qualified to say WHY not, but I am not shocked you are having a problem, just surprised that you would try so long to make it work, but leave out the MOST important fact when writing me.

Maybe someone on the Autodesk forums messes with antiques too -- but otherwise, if you want to solve it, may I politely suggest that a mainstream guy like me would not be whom to ask.

And may I politely say that I donate my time to help students and work users of AutoCAD, who should be getting the attention I have given to you.

BOB

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

QUESTION: Bob,
Thanks for your time.
The HP 110 plus is a current model wide format printer, (plotter).
Not sure what you looked up, but it's not a computer.
The computer that runs it is state of the art.
I have 36 years of electro-mechanical machine tool design under my belt, but a recent work injury and subsequent back surguries have put me on disability.
Thanks for your help.
Steve Wagner

Answer
HI SORRY

You assumed I knew it was a plotter, and your question was about plotting, not making R14 work -- that is where I decided something was fishy and looked up a computer with that name.
http://oldcomputers.net/hp110.html

I am not qualified to tell you for sure how to set up R14 to work on that new plotter. (although I AM qualified to believe LT2008 is better/faster, or that you might get a trial of AutoCAD MEP or Inventor
-- This is my 2nd career and I learned late. I am big on updating and learning, and terrified of being "the old guy who does it the old way", even though that is fine for others.)

I am going to  send you to the AutoCAD Printers and Plotters Discussion Group, so someone can help you find what is wrong. It is somewhere in your setup -- I am sure there are engineers all over using R14 with new plotters.

http://discussion.autodesk.com/forum.jspa?forumID=30

Sorry for the confusion. I wish you good luck -- someone there will see what you might have done wrong in the set up.
I dont believe it is the ploter or HP, but an oversight. Be sure to indicate all details of your R14 setup. Perhaps there is some customization affecting the plotting???

BOB