Installing AutoCAD 2004 on Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 10

NOTE: We currently only support US unlocked versions of 2004 on 64bit OS. European or locked US support 2004 is limited only to 32bit Windows 7, 8 and Windows 10.

Follow these instructions to solve issues around installing/running your old AutoCAD 2004 on newer versions of 64bit Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 10

How to install AutoCAD 2004 

  1. Obtain your purchased copy of the Longbow Converter here
  2. Start the Longbow Converter tool
    1. Insert your AutoCAD CD into your CDRom drive
    2. Select the 2nd tab named “Old AutoCAD Installer Reviver
    3. Using the “…” button, path the to your AutoCAD CD
    4. Click “Run Old Installer
      1. Read and follow all the prompts
      2. Once the AutoCAD setup starts, stop and read the next step…
  3. In the AutoCAD setup program, navigate through each setup dialog as normal, with these exceptions…
    1. When you arrive at the installation folder path setup dialog…
      1. **it’s vitally important to make sure you install to c:\acad2004 (not Program Files (x86)\AutoCAD 2004)**.
    2. While installing…
      1. If you see an error in install “.NET Runtime Optimization Service has stopped working” – simply ignore by clicking the “Close Program” button
      2. Do not reboot if asked to do so
    3. Once installed
      1. Do not reboot if asked to do so
      2. Make sure to fully close the setup program when the installation is complete.
      3. Back in the Converter app and make sure it’s completed the final stage of processing using the “Old AutoCAD Program Reviver” tab
  4. Finally, reboot your PC and run your AutoCAD as normal
    1. NOTE: When starting AutoCAD, if you see a warning dialog when you run saying “This program has known compatibility issues
      1. Click “Don’t show this message again”
      2. then click “Run the Program…”

Installing AutoCAD 2004 Sp1

To install the sp for your AutoCAD…

  1. Download your AutoCAD 2004 Sp1
  2. Copy the service pack exe installer to folder path c:\Autodesk\sp
  3. Start the Converter App
    1. select the 3rd tab named “Old AutoCAD Program Reviver
    2. Using the “. . .” button, pick the c:\Autodesk\sp folder
    3. click “Fix Old Program“.
  4. Now you can run the service pack exe installer from Windows explorer as normal

Troubleshooting

  1. If you have crashing problems using the File->Open or File->Save dialogs inside of AutoCAD please read this blog entry on the File->Open or File->Save Crash in AutoCAD
Copyright 2019 (c) Longbow Software