If you are receiving either an “Out of memory” or “Memory allocation error” while trying to plot inside of AutoCAD 2000, then you are most likely missing the AutoCAD 2000 patch called “plotupdate”.

This blog documents how to install the “plotupdate” patch on Windows7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 64bit. NOTE: You will have needed to install AutoCAD 2000 first

Here is the English readme for the AutoCAD 2000 plotupdate patch which explains what it specifically addresses. Click here for French, German, Italian and Spanish readme for plotupdate.exe

Here’s how to patch your AutoCAD 2000 with the plotupdate.exe

1. Obtain your copy of the Longbow Converter here
2. Next download the Plotupdate.exe for AutoCAD 2000 zip and unzip to the folder c:\Autodesk, it will unzip to c:\Autodesk\Plotupdate2000
   1. Note: Click here for French, German, Italian and Spanish plotupdate.exe
3. Start the Longbow Converter tool
   1. Next, select the 2nd tab named ‘Old AutoCAD Installer Reviver‘
   2. Using the ‘…’ button select the path c:\Autodesk\Plotupdate2000 then click the ‘Run Old Installer‘ button
   3. When asked “Is this an installation media, a service pack/update or plug-in/app for AutoCAD?” say Yes
   4. Next, read and understand all the prompts before pressing OK… Now, I know it’s unheard of these days, but at this point expect to wait at least 45 minutes for the AutoCAD 2000 Plotupdate setup.exe program to appear.
   5. Once the setup starts, install as normal (simply accept all defaults).
4. Now run your AutoCAD 2000 and plot as normal
   1. Important Tip: You can add new Plotters using the c:\acad2000\addplwiz.exe

Troubleshooting

If your PlotUpdate setup is not starting after 45 minutes

• try rebooting, then restart the steps above. If it is still failing, most likely it’s because of another application on your system which is preventing our setup routine from starting (perhaps anti-virus, or similar)

If you still can’t get your plotter to work

• Make sure your Anti-virus and/or Windows Firewall is not blocking splwow64.exe
  • Make sure your Anti-virus and/or Windows Firewall is not blocking splwow64.exe 
  • If the problem persists, you have 2 options
    • Install Autodesk’s free DWGTrueview App which allows full plotting using the latest version of AutoCAD 
    • Fix your AutoCAD 2000 install…
      • start the Converter App
      • Select the 3d tab “Old AutoCAD Program Reviver” 
      • Click the Tools Menu->Reduced Power Mode
      • Using the “…” button, pick your acad.exe folder e.g. c:\acad2000
      • Click “Fix Old Program” and follow prompts

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