Win Vista and older ACAD versions?

Stu · 20 Nov 2007, 21:45

It looks like I will be getting a new computer running Win Vista.
I have been using ACAD LT 2000 for years [obviousley ] and don't see a need to upgrade but from what I have read the only way to run it with Vista is in XP compatibility mode.
Has anybody had any experience doing something similar?

Thanks,

Stu

santiagom · 21 Nov 2007, 03:48

I had to do something similar on a friends laptop with vista and acad 2006 (i didn´t believe it was that old !!!!). While doable, i wish it could be avoided. In order to get that laptop up to a reasonable speed (it was sloooooow when i got it), i had to disable/uninstall, a lot of crap that came with vista. IMO vista is not worth it. I´ll buy a faster computer so i can run my apps faster, not to get a resource hog like vista to barely run. Many pc manufacturers are now offering "downgrades" (kind of an upgrade if you ask me....) to xp for no cost.
Just my opinion though... (i now live in happy happy osx land, vista gave me the perfect excuse to switch.... )

Stu · 21 Nov 2007, 05:57

Thanks mate,

mmmm it looks like Vista is more deplorable than I imagined.......problems with 2007 Acad, and I've got 2000...looks like I've got fat chance!
A faint hope is that the Vista SP1 is supposed to be due soon..and the presumption that MS must get their core business OS right pretty fast if they are to survive.

Stu

Paul Russam · 21 Nov 2007, 08:42

I've got Vista on 2 laptops and a desktop at home and whilst its OK there's no way I'm installing it or buying a machine with it on at work. I've actually got 2 copied of Vista Business here at work that came with 2 Dell's ready to install but they'll be staying in their shrink wrap for some time yet.

We too have AutoCAD 2002 and could/can see no reason to upgrade. Autodesk do not intend (as far as I know) to produce any fix for versions prior to 2007 for Vista. AutoCAD/Vista Info

Sketchup is having some problems with Vista, at home on one laptop its fine, on the other it will only start if you double-click on an existing .skp file and then start a new one, if you simply start SU it will lockup and you have to kill it. On both machines its very slow, this is partly due to MS concentrating on DirectX as the 3D engine with OpenGL being somewhat left in the cold. Want to guess which engine SU uses?

I've heard that Vista is giving problems on mixed XP/Vista/Server2003 networks, I don't know the nature of the problems but I'll be dammed if I'm going to start screwing with our stable server just to get 1 Vista station working.

If you can order your new machine with XP do so, you an always upgrade to Vista later.

Just my 2 pence/cents worth.
As usual with my ramblings I more than happy to be corrected.

Masta Squidge · 21 Nov 2007, 13:17

@stu said:

Thanks mate,

mmmm it looks like Vista is more deplorable than I imagined.......problems with 2007 Acad, and I've got 2000...looks like I've got fat chance!
A faint hope is that the Vista SP1 is supposed to be due soon..and the presumption that MS must get their core business OS right pretty fast if they are to survive.

Stu
Vista is a considerable pain, and not at all worth it currently. I'm wondering though if I will be able to get REALLY old versions of autocad and stuff to run on XP. Like.... versions made for windows 95.

My grandfather is BADLY in need of a new computer, but unless he can use all his programs that he uses, and has used since he was on 95 (since "upgraded" to 98) he doesnt want anything to do with it.
Now, I can put him together a computer that will make him speechless compared to what he has, but I need to get all his software running on the thing or he wont be happy.
The guy is getting on in his years, but he is a regular genius when it comes to his software. The problem is that he doesnt see any need to get newer versions of the stuff because what he has does everything he needs. Mostly just laying out site plans and such for people.

Stu · 21 Nov 2007, 20:56

Thanks Paul,
not too encouraging
I'm looking at a 17" notebook and can't find any available with XP down here.
I have long thought that when my 2000LT became too ancient I would switch to Intellicad [which they claim is now Vista compatible]...looks like this might be the time!

Masta Squidge, good luck with Gramp's computer....from memory, 95 or earlier versions of AutoCad wouldn't run on XP. There are a few free basic CAD programs out there that might be enough for your grandfather

Stu

Glenn at home · 21 Nov 2007, 21:21

I have installed Acad 2007 on my boss's Vista Business laptop. Run in XP compatibility mode with administrative rights. It works fine after that. Good luck

Stu · 21 Nov 2007, 22:37

Thanks Glenn.

I'm trying to cover all options......how about partitioning the hard drive, loading XP and dual booting....with all the Vista problematic apps. on the XP side??

Or how about getting really serious......formating Vista from the very start and loading a legit OEM version of XP Pro....OK, that's spending $200 to get peace of mind

And all you Mac guys had just better keep quiet!

Glenn at home · 22 Nov 2007, 03:21

@stu said:

Thanks Glenn.

I'm trying to cover all options......how about partitioning the hard drive, loading XP and dual booting....with all the Vista problematic apps. on the XP side??

Or how about getting really serious......formating Vista from the very start and loading a legit OEM version of XP Pro....OK, that's spending $200 to get peace of mind

And all you Mac guys had just better keep quiet!

Why did you get Vista to start with? Honestly most of the Vista horror stories are largely "self-inflicted".
Well the Macs went through this when moving from OS9 to OSX. It happens to us all at some point or another.

Stu · 22 Nov 2007, 07:19

Glenn,
Your right of course, but I think I have wriggled out of this one. The 17" laptop I wanted didn't come with the option of XP. It's still on order however, and after asking them, the people I'm buying from said they could install XP Pro OEM for an additional $100. Sounds reasonable....fingers crossed

Stu

Masta Squidge · 22 Nov 2007, 12:38

@stu said:

Thanks Glenn.

I'm trying to cover all options......how about partitioning the hard drive, loading XP and dual booting....with all the Vista problematic apps. on the XP side??

Or how about getting really serious......formating Vista from the very start and loading a legit OEM version of XP Pro....OK, that's spending $200 to get peace of mind

And all you Mac guys had just better keep quiet!
You can call M$ up and buy a downgrade for Vista to XP from them. But I dont know if it is Pro, or Home version of XP or if there is a choice.

Paul Russam · 24 Nov 2007, 13:34

Small posting on Vista SP1 and XP SP2.
Linky

Looks like XP with SP3 will be the way to go.

Dave M · 26 Nov 2007, 14:58

I haven't heard a single positive thing about Vista, ever. Even after they get it "fixed" is there a compelling reason to upgrade?

linea · 27 Nov 2007, 19:08

I recently switched to Vista, (nearly switched to a Mac - might have been better). I have discovered that

Architectural desktop 2006
3DS Max 6 - 8
Pov-Ray
V-Ray
Truespace
PowerCAD
Revit (before latest release, only tried an older version)
TurboCAD (ditto)
AutoCad versions previous to 2008
Sketchy Physics and several other Su plugins
Loads of useful older software that i have

won't run or don't run properly on Vista. Maybe there are ways to get them to run but I don't have the time or the inclination to find out and at the moment can't afford the software upgrades. ProgeCAD and Cycas run fine on Vista so I can still do CAD.

In general though, as an OS for design software, Vista sucks in my opinion, but it does look nice and er, that's it. No other real advantages that I can see.

I heard Dell have dropped Vista completely for Ubuntu Linux. And SU will run on linux. See link.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=gKcepdfm5C8&feature=RecentlyWatched&page=1&t=t&f=b