jamesan Posted November 25, 2008 Share Posted November 25, 2008 I have a version 2.5 autocad that I got at a yardsale. It came with 5 floppy discs. I loaded them onto my computer, and now can't figure out exactly how to get it started. I click on a dos file and it welcomes me, then in dos format ask about my graphics, and then about interrupts. I do not know anything about interrupts, so that is where I stop. Yes, after about 45 seconds I am already lost. Is it worth my time to try and get this old version working or not? I have no previous experience with autocad, but it would come in very handy for me 4 or 5 times a year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReMark Posted November 25, 2008 Share Posted November 25, 2008 AutoCAD running under DOS. Haven't seen that in ages. Don't forget you'll probably have to tweak your Autoexec.bat and Config.sys files too and to really get it smokin' you may even have to run a memory manager like QEMM. I think it would be a good exercise to try and get it running as a lark but even for the 4 or 5 times a year you might need it you would have to jump back into the DOS days of computers. Try to find a LT version of AutoCAD. I think I saw one on craiglist.hartford for $150. It was a 2005 version. Check under computers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReMark Posted November 25, 2008 Share Posted November 25, 2008 From the IRQ Book by Kate Chase published by McGraw-Hill copyright 1999: "An interrupt acts as a signal to the CPU or processor to indicate that a device requires its attention." What kind of computer would you be trying to run AutoCAD 2.5 on and what DOS version would you be using? Are you familiar with DOS commands? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesan Posted November 25, 2008 Author Share Posted November 25, 2008 I am not familiar with Dos commands. The book says that it runs under PC-dos, MS-dos, and unix operating systems. The latest copyright of the reference manual is 1987. If I can get this to run easily, I will use it. But I am beginning to think I should get something else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReMark Posted November 25, 2008 Share Posted November 25, 2008 New commands and enhancements introduced in AC 2.5 (Release 7): http://betaprograms.autodesk.com/history/version_2465_40release_741_history.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReMark Posted November 25, 2008 Share Posted November 25, 2008 I would run it under MS-DOS version 5.0 if you are considering trying it at all. Although, date-wise, you could probably run it under version 3.0 as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LifeoRiley0 Posted November 25, 2008 Share Posted November 25, 2008 Have you tried running it on a Commodore 64? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skipsophrenic Posted November 25, 2008 Share Posted November 25, 2008 Have you tried running it on a Commodore 64? ???? I thought they only had tap decks to run their programs. At least that what i remember from my childhood. As for runnin it in dos-mode now, would DOSBox be any good? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f700es Posted November 25, 2008 Share Posted November 25, 2008 I am not familiar with Dos commands. The book says that it runs under PC-dos, MS-dos, and unix operating systems. The latest copyright of the reference manual is 1987. If I can get this to run easily, I will use it. But I am beginning to think I should get something else. If you need a cheap/free version of CAD there are some that you can download. What exactly do you want to do with this copy of CAD? Maybe we can steer you in a particular direction. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tankman Posted November 25, 2008 Share Posted November 25, 2008 Navigate to the Acad file folder. Is there an acad.exe file? At the dos prompt acad.exe, hit enter. I did a lot of dos work but, years ago. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReMark Posted November 26, 2008 Share Posted November 26, 2008 Stay in the world of "Windows" and save yourself some headaches. I checked "craigslist hartford" this morning. Under the heading FOR SALE, in the Computers category I found an entry dated Nov 23 for AutoCAD LT 2005. The asking price was $90. That is a freakin' bargin. The seller includes a picture of everything he is including so I recommend that you check it out. My Thanksgiving gift to you is the link below: http://hartford.craigslist.org/sys/930841392.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReMark Posted November 26, 2008 Share Posted November 26, 2008 If you still insist on trying to use AutoCAD 2.5 then I suggest you buy the paperback book Using AutoCAD 2.5 written by James Edward Fuller. You can find a good used copy at Amazon for $4.88 (U.S.) plus $3.99 for shipping and handling. Here's the link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0827329423/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f700es Posted November 26, 2008 Share Posted November 26, 2008 I have a copy LT 12 for students that I could part with he he needs a copy for windows. I hate to say it but if this is just to play with and learn on that ProgeCAD smart (free) might be the way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGMIKE09281946 Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 How about looking for Auto Sketch 9. My copy is an excellent version of AutoCAD and the files are interchangable. I bet a copy of the software could be bought for a reasonable price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesan Posted December 2, 2008 Author Share Posted December 2, 2008 Thanks for all the replys. I did not expect that many. I believe I am not going to screw with this version. Time to take the advise of many and get a newer free or cheap version. I really just need to be able to draw simple drawings, but I want to be able to overlay my drawings as well. Any thoughts on something simple to use and cheap that will do overlays? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f700es Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 Overlays? What do you mean by those? Thanks for all the replys. I did not expect that many. I believe I am not going to screw with this version. Time to take the advise of many and get a newer free or cheap version. I really just need to be able to draw simple drawings, but I want to be able to overlay my drawings as well. Any thoughts on something simple to use and cheap that will do overlays? ProgeCAD Smart, free for personal use. http://www.progecad.com/compra/index.asp?left=prodotti/eng_progecad2008smart&abspage=1&lang=eng Google SketchUp for 3D modeling. http://sketchup.google.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGMIKE09281946 Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 If you mean layers, Autosketch 9 does layers, and has thousands of insertable objects. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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