Can't open or create a second drawing in same window

[timothyjturner]

Hello,

I am using AutoCAD Electrical 2008. When I initially start up autocad, I can open or start a new drawing with no problems at all. But after that, if I try to open a new drawing in the same session of autocad, no dice! I've tried open & qnew from the command line as well as the toolbar buttons. This is not a filedia problem. Anybody have any suggestions?

[bcgatti]

Are you getting any error messages or can you be a little more specific as to exactly what is happening / not happening?

[timothyjturner]

Are you getting any error messages or can you be a little more specific as to exactly what is happening / not happening?

No error messages, no anything, nothing happens.

I click the new drawing icon on the toolbar, command area shows "Command: _qnew" and nothing at all happens. Same thing with open.

[bcgatti]

Have you tried typing in ".new" or "_new" , ".open" or "_open" (no quotes) at the command line?

Have you checked your support path under Options to make sure that all entries point to valid directories?

Does the path to the "Main Customization File" under Customization Files point to a directory that contains your valid CUI file?

Just a couple of thoughts.

[Richard.Kent]

maybe the SDI setting, see what it is set at and change from 1 to 0....

[timothyjturner]

Have you tried typing in ".new" or "_new" , ".open" or "_open" (no quotes) at the command line?

Have you checked your support path under Options to make sure that all entries point to valid directories?

Does the path to the "Main Customization File" under Customization Files point to a directory that contains your valid CUI file?

Just a couple of thoughts.

I just tried all of this stuff... Nothing seems abnormal (besides the fact that nothing happens when i enter the commands). The only support file paths I checked were Main Customization File and the Drawing Templates path. Everything looks ok.

[timothyjturner]

maybe the SDI setting, see what it is set at and change from 1 to 0....

I just tried the SDI setting, it looks like it was set as 0. I tried changing it from 1 and back, and still no luck.

[n.g]

Does Autocad lock-up, toolbars turn grey when you enter the command? Maybe the dialog box is off-screen. Alt+Spaceber M and arrow keys to move it back?

[timothyjturner]

Does Autocad lock-up, toolbars turn grey when you enter the command? Maybe the dialog box is off-screen. Alt+Spaceber M and arrow keys to move it back?

You might be on to something, because I had just set up dual monitors on my PC. But, autocad does not lock up like a dialog box is open. I think I will try to play with my monitor settings a bit. The toolbars flash for an instant, but everything goes back to its normal state.

UPDATE: I tried altering screen resolutions and such and I'm still unable to see the dialog box. I also tried alt+space to move the window but it just attempts to move the main window. Maybe this is not the issue afterall.

[jpoovey161783]

I had this same problem...
search on the 'net provided a fix...
http://www.cadalot.co.uk/acad/faq.htm

Try setting the variable FILEDIA to 1.

friggin' Microsoft and multi-monitors...