Well, it appears I have dodged a bullet, my laptop gave me the blue screen of death Friday at 5:15 (I think it had a hot date) but somehow fired back up this morning.
It's a Panasonic toughbook, running XP and my ancient version of Autocad 2000 LDD.
I know, I know, it's stone age software, even compared to some of my landscaper clients!!
I'm currently mulling my options, both INside and OUTside the box.
Inside: get a new desktop monster, and a seat of current Autocad
get a new desktop monster, and a seat of current Autocad LT ?? Anyone using LT for a survey business???
get a new desktop monster and "some other cad program"
OUTside.....
Switch over to Mac (I'm a mac user other than for work) and get Autocad for Mac..
??? Any thoughts??
andy
I am in the same boat, I have and old xp running old software and have been told that once this one dies I will not be able to install without major upgrades to computer and software.
I have put myself in this situation and I will own up to that, but new is not always better.
I do not need 90% of the stuff the new software does and I am not convinced that it even does better than what I have.
Hard to learn something new when you are the only one to figure it out and still be productive.
Randy
Exactly! I need to be able to import/export/manipulate point data and draw maps.
I probably don't need 97% of what's in the autocad that I use now, let alone the new version.
Andy
Bruce Small ??
Bruce,
I've seen your name pop up on a search for Autocad LT. I know you are cutting edge on data collection and processing, so I'm curious what setup you use for drafting, etc. If you have the inclination or time to share, I'd appreciate your insight.
Andy
The bluescreen on an XP does not necessarily mean it has reached its end
I have one that will blue screen everytime windows classic media player resets to the original driver, [sarcasm]those fabulous updates[/sarcasm]
MY win98 did blow a circuit and I am moving into Carlson from ADCADD v12
All the same features are there, they are simply some other place in the menu and called by a different name
0.02
Bruce Small ??
Me too!
> The bluescreen on an XP does not necessarily mean it has reached its end
yes, it wouldn't reboot at all yesterday, then when my IT guy came in early this Sunday morning, it started right up!!! SMH!
but the writing is on the wall, so I'd rather be prepared!
> ??? Any thoughts??
1. I wouldn't want to be without a laptop.
2. Even the cheapest Walmart laptop is going to perform better than your c.2000 toughbook.
3. Carlson with Intellicad may be a better solution than AutoCAD Lt for around the same price.
Could be that a new hard drive would solve BSOD issues.
AutoCAD 2000/LDD will run on Windows 7.
Really?? because I tried to install 2000 on a win7 machine for a backup and it wouldn't start up properly...
It will run on Win7-32bit pretty easily. Win7-64bit is a different story. I was able to make it work for a couple of months but getting the express tools to work involved copying them directly from an XP machine and copying the pertinent portions of the XP registry and relocating them to the proper place in the Win7-64 registry. It took a bunch of time to get it functional and then an update to a non-CAD program crashed the whole LDD install. After a couple of iterations of crash and reinstall I came to the conclusion that it was more cost effective to upgrade.
Seems like it does give an error message each time you start the program because the executable files aren't signed but it doesn't cause an functional issues that I recall. I have an Engineer friend who has been running LDD2 with express tools on Win7-32bit for a couple of months with no issues.
2000 runs on my Win 7 machine just fine. Almost any of my older programs do.
Windows 8-not so sure what will happen with that upgrade.
I run AutoCAD 2012 and 2000 on the same machine and no problems. I don't need the XP emulator.
You probably do need a tech guy to set it up.
I also purchased a $300 netbook and it runs AutoCAD and TGO together.
I really like it although it has had some battery issues so I usually have it plugged into the truck.
Probably I will end up in a few years with a docking station for the field and the smart phone for the computer with an attached keyboard-not there yet.
I'm running it on Win7 Pro 64 bit version. It installed and ran for me real easy. No hiccups at all. Could be a difference between Pro/Home. I think the Pro version has more "legacy support".
I have to agree with you on Express Tools. I had a computer nerd Bro-in-Law set up Express Tools for me, but he got it working fine. I have no idea what he did to get it working.
Number One: Windows 8 does not play well with most survey software. That's why Dell and others are still offering Windows 7. What you will want is Windows 7 Professional.
Number Two: I think you will have a real problem trying to run cogo on AutoCAD LT.
Number Three: You want a full powered Survey system? One that allows easy data collection. data transfer to the office system, one that draws all of your line work and inserts your symbols? You might even like to stick with the Toughbook in the field as a data collector? OR perhaps go to a smaller handheld for field data collection but with a full interface with the office computer?
IF you want a system that will allow complete data collection, seamless interface to the office equipment that produces a minimum of 95% of your total drawing in less than 5 minutes, then you already know what you need. (I have told you at least 4 times.)
I would recommend a handheld running SurvCE or your beloved Toughbook running SurvPC all connected to a nice Dell Notebook and loaded with Carlson Survey (either with embedded AutoCAD or the Intellicad version). This will give you EVERYTHING that you need for surveying and NOT all that extra engineering and Architectural crap that Civil 3D is loaded with and that you will NEVER use. Top of the line Carlson Survey with embedded AutoCAD costs about 1/3 of the cost of one seat of Civil 3D.
Jennifer DiBona (thatcadgirl.com) offers a nice price on a package that includes Carlson Survey with her training manuals that will show you how to do Field To Finish, configure your software for maximum performance AND everything you ever wanted to know about working with points. (The quality of these manuals is unbelievable.)
I don't mean to sound like a commercial, but this is THE WAY to go to get the most bang for your buck without enduring a major learning curve.
I too am running Win7-64Pro. It could be as simple as a difference in the other programs we each have installed.
99.99% Of What I Do Can Be Done In AutoCAD 10...
...with Carlson SurvCADD.
Everything since is just more complicated and Carlson Survey actually has fewer features.
I just bought a rebuilt desktop with an LPT?1 and COM port and Win 7 32 to keep me alive.
The 21st century has little to offer people who work.
The lastest stuff is all leisure, leisure, leisure.
Paul in PA
> Jennifer DiBona (thatcadgirl.com) offers a nice price on a package that includes Carlson Survey with her training manuals that will show you how to do Field To Finish, configure your software for maximum performance AND everything you ever wanted to know about working with points. (The quality of these manuals is unbelievable.)
>
I purchased my software through Jennifer, she is an endless wealth of information and WILL call you back and help you work through any problems you might have. I can endorse her wholeheartedly! Someone who really cares and believes in the products she represents.
Jeff
99.99% Of What I Do Can Be Done In AutoCAD 10...
"Everything since is just more complicated and Carlson Survey actually has fewer features."
Haven't checked out the latest versions, have you? My Survey 2010 does everything SurvCADD will do and then some. Survey 2013 and 2014 have MUCH more.