Taking the Win7 64bit Plunge PT2

If at first you don't succeed, try again.....works with Surveying and Computers!!

I started with a fresh install of Win7-64 and tried to load LDD2i. All appeared to be okay, but I didn't really look under the hood. I proceeded to try to load the Express tools and the whole install went down the drain. Plain AutoCAD 2000 would run but none of the piggy back applications would work. Eventually I gave up and reverted to a Win7-32 install.

Initially all went well. Then that also went to hell in a hand basket. Win7 prompts for permission every time you run an older program that doesn't meet certain standards. I had to run the installers with Admin privileges to get the install to work. Once the LDD install finished, I had tried every combination of user permissions and compatibility modes that I could think of with no success in either Win7-32 or Win7-64. Finally in an act of desperation, I set LDD to run in native Win7 mode and wouldn't you know it runs like a champ.

The secret is using compatibility mode and administrator privileges to get the installers to work, then changing the settings for the LDD icon on the desktop to run in native Win7 mode. This seems to change to settings for LDD system wide, whether you're using the start menu or desktop icons. Also seems to take care of both LDD and plain AutoCAD.

Knock on wood, so far all other applications have played nice.

My first computer was a TI-99_4a and I've had my hands in the brains & guts of PC's since I was a teenager. I would like to think that I know a thing or two about computers. Time spent vs. Results accomplished over the years would tend to suggest that its more a case of persistence and a good dose of blind luck.:-D