Installing AutoCAD 2000 from Windows Safe Mode

If you are reading this post, it’s because your AutoCAD 2000 setup program is not starting after following the 2000 installation steps that we documented here and you have reached the Troubleshooting section.

Why the setup is not starting is a big question, most likely it’s because a Windows Update or some other installer update is pending (in which case a reboot should solve) or it could be a security ‘feature’ a 3rd party anti-virus application or similar is imposing on your system which is in turn blocking your R14 setup. The thing is, it’s impossible for us to realistically diagnose the exact problem for you, so we came up with a fail safe solution – install using Windows Safe Mode, here’s how…

NOTE: These steps do not bypass normal Autodesk licensing/authorization, you should expect to use your own serial numbers in the normal way.

1. Obtain your copy of the Longbow Converter here, install it.
2. Using Windows Explorer, copy your entire AutoCAD 2000 CD to your hard drive, to a folder path c:\Autodesk\acad2000
3. Boot your computer into Safe Mode using these instructions
4. Once in Windows Safe Mode, start the Longbow Converter tool, select the 2nd tab “Old AutoCAD Installer Reviver“, pick the c:\Autodesk\acad2000 folder, and click Run. Read and understand all the prompts before pressing OK.
   1. Once the setup starts, stop and read the next step…
5. In the setup program, navigate through each setup dialog as normal, except when you get to the installation folder, **it’s vitally important to make sure you install to c:\acad2000 (not .\AutoCAD 2000 as usually prompted)**
6. Now carry on with the install (do not reboot once the install is complete). Ignore any errors related to not being able to create the shortcut, you will have to create a shortcut on your computer Desktop to your c:\acad2000\acad.exe by hand.
   1. Do not reboot if prompted to do so
7. Once installed, go back to the Converter tool, select the 3rd tab, pick the newly installed c:\acad2000 folder and click “Fix”.
8. Now reboot your computer back into normal Windows mode
9. Open Windows Explorer, navigate to c:\acad2000 and run acad.exe – you can now happily run your AutoCAD 2000 on Windows 10, Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 32bit or 64bit

Installing AutoCAD 2000 Service Pack 1

1. Download AutoCAD 2000 sp1 from here
2. Unzip your newly downloaded sp to folder path c:\Autodesk\sp
3. Start the Converter, select the 2nd tab, pick the c:\Autodesk\sp\AutoCAD 2000 sp1 folder and click ‘Run’
4. Wait for the setup to appear, it could take up to 45 minutes, then install as normal

Installing AutoCAD 2000 Service Pack 2

1. Download AutoCAD 2000 sp2 from here
2. Unzip your newly downloaded sp to folder path c:\Autodesk\sp
3. Start the Converter, select the 2nd tab, pick the c:\Autodesk\sp\AutoCAD 2000 sp2 folder and click ‘Run’
4. Wait for the setup to appear, it could take up to 45 minutes, then install as normal.