AutoCad 2009 and Vista 65 Bit Deployment

[s_morgan_b]

In the next week or so, we are getting hit with a dual upgrade.

New machines (quad core, 4 gigs ram - other specs not known) are coming in to the office with 2009 and Vista 64 bit installed.

From what I've managed to gather, I will probably face a number of issues. Can anyone summarize their experiences with a similar deployment? What issues should I expect? Should I go work for MacDonald's now?

Is there a downloadable manual that I can snag ahead of time for 2009 (LDD in particular)?

Apparently IT is looking for the 64 bit version of 2008 (they deployed that only a few months ago without warning) so hopefully that will resolve the transition from XP to Vista then 2008 to 2009 into two stages.

To quote Homer Simpson "Hep me Jeebus".

[s_morgan_b]

That should read "64 bit".

[dzatto]

That should read "64 bit".

I thought that was the new Vista!

Anyway, I have 2009 and 2008 installed on Vista 64. No problems whatsoever. 2009 ships with a 32 and a 64 bit dvd. Just make sure you use the correct one.

As for 2008, it isn't supported for 64 bit, so there's "technically" no version. However, you can go in and edit a file (I forgot which one) to allow it to install on a 64 bit OS. If you don't edit the file, you'll get a dialogue box that says something about needing a 32 bit OS, then it quits the install. It still runs the same. I've had no issues and haven't heard of any.

I'll do a search and find the file and what to do with it. I found it with Google and it worked perfectly. I'll letcha know when I find it again............

[dzatto]

I can't remember exactly how I did it, but this seems to be the way.

1. Download and install Orca from Microsoft.
   http://support.microsoft.com/kb/255905
2. Copy the installation files to your hard drive or a network folder.
3. Backup the files ACA.msi and Setup.ini
4. Edit the ACA.msi with Orca and delete the action found in the table "InstallExecuteSequence" that is called "CheckFor64BitOS" Delete the same line under table "CustomAction"
5. Save and close the ACA.msi
6. Edit the Setup.ini with Notepad. Delete the line under "#==================== Platform Requirement" that is labeled "PLATFORM=NO_WOW_64_PROCESS"
7. Double-click the Setup.exe and you should be able to install without any problems.
8. If you leave the default paths for the installation of the content, this may or may not apply.
9. Some support paths under the "Files" tab of the configuration dialog box have incorrect paths. The installer adds and extra "\AppData\AppData" to some support paths located in the user profile. For example the Main Customization File's path is listed as"C:\Users\%username%\AppData\AppData\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\ACD-A 2008\enu\Support\ADT" when it should be "C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\ACD-A 2008\enu\Support\ADT"
10. Fix the incorrect paths, hit apply, and you are good to go.
11. Set the paths for all content to be on your network drive

Of course, if it messes up your network or system or hairdo, It's not my fault!!! It was very painless when I did it and I've not run into any problems. Of course, when I got my 64 bit machine, I ran 2008 for about a month before I went to 2009. I've got both on the same machine, but only use 2009. You shouldn't have any problems, though.

[Steve Johnson]

As for 2008, it isn't supported for 64 bit, so there's "technically" no version.

Actually, there was a 64-bit version of 2008. Not all the verticals, though.

I can't remember exactly how I did it, but this seems to be the way.

You probably started by reading my post in this thread.

[dzatto]

Actually, there was a 64-bit version of 2008. Not all the verticals, though.

That's probably it. I'm using ACA and I know it didn't have a 64 bit version.

[s_morgan_b]

Thanks for the heads up!