AutoCAD help needed.

[mrlonewolf]

Hey guys.

I need help ASAP, I've decided to upgrade to the 2011 version and I'm stuck pretty bad.

I'm using version 2009 and it's all fine and works perfectly, but cannot get the new version running, I have uninstalled it a few times and installed back again with no luck.

Now my files are somehow lost in the limbo can't plot, export, convert or forward them at all....!!!

Any help will be highly appreciated.

Lonewolf.

[Curtis]

I don't have any specific help to offer other than contact AutoCAD's support desk.

Can you restore your system to the old settings?

Sorry I couldn't help. Good luck!

[dwtt]

why did you uninstall the earlier version of ACAD? I don't recall a requirement to do that.

Anyway, here's what I can suggest:
1. Go to autodesk's web site and look at their support pages. There might be information on how to recover since it's likely you might not be the first person to run into this problem
2. If you have a backup of the computer before uninstalling ACAD2009, restore the computer to that version. Then install 2011 over it without uninstalling acad2009.
3. If you have a backup to before you installed acad2009, then restore it to that backup and install acad2011 like it was a new install.
4. Call Autodesk and tell the sad details of what you did and don't feel stupid, we've all been there before.

[gschoelles]

I read it as you still have 2009 in your system and I am thinking you are having a driver conflict. I'd make sure all of both versions were off my system, reboot three times then reinstall version of choice. AutoCad files once converted don't go backward, so be sure to back those up before converting them.

[Tempus]

You can have multiple versions on your machine at once. We used to do that all the time. (YMMV since I haven't been using autocad since 2006)

What OS are you running?
Did you get 32bit or 64 bit autocad?
Is it a legit copy or did you DL it from somewhere?

[erik_26]

Is it a legit copy or did you DL it from somewhere?

Really?

[Nose Nuggets]

Really?

seems like a legitimate question.

[erik_26]

seems like a legitimate question.

You too?

Why would someone ever admit openly online that they committed a crime by illegal downloading software?

Doesn't make sense.

It's none of my business how they obtained it.


Just like someone using a hi-capacity magazine at the range the thought, 'he must have bought that in Reno and imported it back to California illegally', doesn't pop into my head. It's none of my business.

Bottom line, if you can't contribute to fixing the problem, just refer them to the helpline of AutoDesk. If they have a legitimate copy, there should be no concern calling for support.

[AEW]

Like someone else stated, you should be able to let multiple versions co-exist on the same machine, and I think it is a good idea to do so since there are always issues with transitioning to a new version, including finding and loading up all the drivers for video card, printers, plotters, etc.. that works with the new version of Autocad and your OS. Also, if you use custom menus and LISP routines there may be quite a bit of work to make these work with the new version.

If you did not overwrite 2009 it should still work. Autocad drawing files are not converted upon installation, but only when you open and save that specific file with the newer version.

I suggest opening up the file explorer in Windows and search for *.dwg files. It will find all of the autocad drawing files on your computer. Copy and backup these files without deleting the original.

After doing this, check to see if you are trying to install the right version of Autocad for your OS. For example, you can't load the 64bit version on a 32bit OS. Go to Autodesk's website for more info on version compatibility with the various Windows OS.

[Peter.Steele]

Having both versions of the software won't (or at least shouldn't) cause any problems. I keep the previous versions of Autodesk stuff installed for usually 3-6 months, until I'm absolutely positive that I'm not going to see anything break in the new install and lose productivity.