It’s very easy to install and use The Longbow Converter
The first step is to install the Longbow Converter. Once installed, you will see a shortcut to the Longbow Converter tool appear on your desktop.
Simply run the application, you will see the application appear with the main interface…
The Converter is split into three separate tools, it’s important that you understand what each tool does before starting. NOTE: Hovering your mouse over any of the user input controls will display a tool tip giving additional contextual help.
AutoCAD 32bit Installer Converter
This tool is specifically used to enable AutoCAD 32bit installers so that they install and run on 64bit Windows. It is used for AutoCAD versions 2008 and upwards.
VBA users – You can install your Autodesk 32bit VBA modules using these instructions.
Old AutoCAD Installer Reviver
This tool has been specifically designed for older AutoCAD installation programs (setup.exe) that used to run fine on Windows XP. This tool is used as the part 1 of a 2 part process, first this tool is used to *install* AutoCAD versions 2007 and older on Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10 and Vista. Then, part 2 involves converting the installed program files – for part 2 of the process, once you have installed your AutoCAD using this tool, you need to use the Old AutoCAD Program Reviver tool as described just below.
This tool has been specially designed for older AutoCAD programs that are already installed on your system. This tool is used to make all 32bit versions of AutoCAD 2007 or older run properly on Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10 and Vista. It is also used to make all 64bit (and 32bit) versions of 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 run properly on Windows 8, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10
We recommend you refer to our Longbow Software Blog for specific instructions for your AutoCAD version
How to use the AutoCAD 32bit Installer Converter
This tool is intended for 32bit versions of AutoCAD or Suite Media >= 2008. If you have an AutoCAD version <= 2007 you should use the Old AutoCAD Installer Reviver tool.
Important: Before starting…
- We advise that you uninstall all previous versions of 64bit AutoCAD before installing your 32bit version of AutoCAD.
- If you are installing multiple versions of AutoCAD, always install in chronological order – i.e. oldest to newest
- For 32bit AutoCAD users on 64bit Windows, you should not mix same series version AutoCAD 32bit installs with the same series version of AutoCAD 64bit – please refer to this information on 32bit/64bit AutoCAD version side-by-side compatibility.
Instructions: See the numbered text in the diagram above, and follow each corresponding line number below…
Hot Tips! Before you start, check our Longbow Software Blog (use the Categories section on the left)
to see if specific instructions for your version of AutoCAD are listed, it may say you a lot of reading! Also, if you run into any problems, make sure you take a look at the Troubleshooting section below…
1) Select the AutoCAD 32bit Installer Converter tab with your mouse.
2) If, at anytime, you need to access this help page again, you can select the Help menu item and it will return you to this page.
3) This text shows what the Converter is doing and will give you status reports as it runs. On V5 or newer of the software, hovering your mouse over this text or the ‘?’ icon will display relevant tool-tip messages that will help explain situations that you may run into while doing the conversion as shown below…
4) For this step, the Converter needs you to select the folder where your AutoCAD 2008 or newer installation media is…
NOTE: This tool is specifically looking for a folder which contains a setup.exe, a setup.ini file and also an x86 folder. If you have downloaded an .exe from Autodesk then you first need to run that exe in order to unzip the media to C:\Autodesk\<AutoCAD Version> (be sure to cancel the installer once it starts though).
Please pick the ‘…’ button to select the folder where your 32bit AutoCAD installer is. It can either be a hard drive copy or the CDRom drive. If it’s on the CDRom drive, then the software will ask you to select a folder where it can copy the contents of the CDRom drive to – this needs to be done in order for the Converter to work. We recommend that you select your My Documents or Documents folder as this folder will be more easily accessible for the software.
5) This setting allows you to double the memory capability of your 32bit AutoCAD, from 2GB to 4GB (around 1.1GB-1.3GB usable to around 3.2-3.5GB usable). On a 32bit Windows system, any program is restricted to 2GB of memory, that is the limit. However, on 64bit Windows systems the program memory limit is in theory 2,000 million times greater than a 32bit system (although current day computer hardware doesn’t allow for anywhere near that).
NOTE: If you select the media from the CDRom drive, the Converter will automatically invoke step 5 just below, so in this case, simply jump to step 7.
6) Once the Converter recognizes your 32bit AutoCAD installation media, the ‘Convert’ button will become active, simply click the ‘Convert‘ button to run the Converter.
7) If the Converter was successful, you will see a clear message indicating success! At this point, the ‘Run Setup/Install AutoCAD‘ button will become visible, simply click the ‘Run Setup/Install AutoCAD’ to setup your 32bit AutoCAD on 64bit Windows! If you need to install VBA, please follow these instructions Installing VBA
With limited sales, the following ad is displayed to help support the further development of the Converter tool… Clicking on the ad goes toward showing your appreciation!
Creating a Network Deployment
NOTE: You will need the the Enterprise version of the Converter, V5.4 or newer.
The Create Deployment feature of Autodesk installers allow you to setup a pre-configured installation so that you can deploy the install to multiple machines without the need for user interaction – it basically saves a lot of time if you have many machines to install to. Before you can create deployment using your 32bit installer on 64bit Windows, you need to first convert the raw installation media, then create the deployment in the normal way and then finally, convert the newly created deployment using the Converter tool. NOTE: You cannot convert a previously created deployment, you must create a brand new deployment using the below instructions.1) To use the “Create Deployment” feature of your 32bit AutoCAD installer you will need to first follow the steps described in the
How to Use the AutoCAD 32bit Installer Converter to convert the installer so that your 32 bit installer will run on Windows 64bit and in turn allow you to select the “Create Deployment” feature.2) Once you have the 32bit install program working using the Converter, simply run the “Create Deployment” feature as normal. We advise that if you are creating your custom network deployment on a different machine to the one your are running the Converter, that you also install the Converter on that different to run the final step (3). This is because the Converter relies on administrative permissions for the machine that it is running on and if the files reside on a different machine, the permissions are almost always not Administrative and thus the Converter will fail the conversion process with ‘file permission’ errors.3) Once step 2 has been completed, you will need to convert the newly created deployment using the Converter. Simply enter the path to your Deployment inside of the Converter and Hit Convert.You can now run the Deployment.
Troubleshooting:
– If the Converter fails, it’s usually due to permission restrictions on your system stopping the Converter from modifying the media. Make sure the folder that is specified in the “Path to AutoCAD installation Media” is *completely* enabled for write access and has full user permissions. If you are still having trouble, follow the instructions detailed in the V2 instruction set here as it details how to copy the media by hand.
– You may encounter write issues even though your file system says that it’s not Read-Only; the Longbow Converter was designed to work with the 32bit only installation media, if other media formats are used then the Converter may fail because the layout of the disk is not expected. Multi-platform media (32bit and 64bit on the same CD) or Suites media is not supported at this time. You need to obtain the 32bit only media containing a single AutoCAD product from your dealer, it’s normally totally free.
– On V5 or newer of the software, whenever an error is displayed, be sure to hover your mouse over the ‘?’ icon as in step 3) above – relevant tool-tip information will display explaining what the problem is.
If you have any issues that you need help with or if you have any general questions, please feel free to contact our Support department.
How to install 32bit VBA on your 64bit Windows
If you require VBA support for your 32bit AutoCAD 2010, 2011, 2012 or 2013 on 64bit Windows, then follow these steps to get it installed.
1) Download your required 32bit VBA enabler from here
2) Run the downloaded exe, this will unzip the VBA installer to your C:\Autodesk\AutoCAD_2011_VBA_Enabler_Install_Image folder.
3) Start the Longbow Converter and set the ‘Path to AutoCAD Installation Media’ (detailed as 4 above) to the C:\Autodesk\AutoCAD_2011_VBA_Enabler_Install_Image folder.
4) Hit ‘Convert’
5) Quit the Converter and navigate to the C:\Autodesk\AutoCAD_2011_VBA_Enabler_Install_Image folder by hand using Windows Explorer.
6) Run the setup.exe, your VBA will now install.
With limited sales, the following ad is displayed to help support the further development of the Converter tool… Clicking on the ad goes toward showing your appreciation!
How to use the Old AutoCAD Installer Reviver
This tool is intended for all AutoCAD versions <= 2007 or companion apps associated with these AutoCAD versions. If you have a 32bit AutoCAD version >= 2008 you should use the AutoCAD 32bit Installer Converter tool.
Hot Tips! Before you start, check our Longbow Software Blog (use the Categories section on the left) to see if specific instructions for your version of AutoCAD are listed, it may save you a lot of reading! Also, if you run into any problems, make sure you take a look at the Troubleshooting section below…
Your AutoCAD version 2007 or older installation CD will not install on Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10 or Windows Vista because of various security and file system changes that these newer versions of Windows have implemented since Windows XP. Therefore, in order to install your AutoCAD you need to convert the installation media using the following steps…
Before starting, please note that this is part 1 of a 2 part process – so once you have installed, come back to carry on the process of then converting the installed files. More on part 2 later, now for part 1:
1) Select the Old AutoCAD Installer Reviver tab.
2) This text shows what the Installer Reviver tool is doing and will give you status reports as it runs. On V5 or newer of the software, hovering your mouse over this text or the ‘?’ icon will display relevant tool-tip messages that will help explain situations that you may run into while doing the conversion as shown below…
3) For this step, the Converter needs you to select the folder where your AutoCAD 2007 or older installation media is…
NOTE: This tool is specifically looking for a folder which contains just a setup.exe.
Either type the path or pick the ‘…‘ button to select the folder where your old AutoCAD installer is. Important NOTE: You *must* first copy your entire AutoCAD CD to your hard drive, we recommend c:\Autodesk. Furthermore, the folder you copy your installation media to, inside of your c:\Autodesk folder *must* contain the AutoCAD version id e.g. c:\Autodesk\Acad2000i or c:\Autodesk\Acad2005. NOTE: The only version ids that this tool understands are R13, R14, 2000, 2000i, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, make sure you use the correct one (that also applies if you are using the tool to install Express tools or some AutoCAD add-on).
4) If the Old AutoCAD Installer Reviver recognizes your AutoCAD installation media, the ‘Run Old Installer‘ button will become active. Simply click the ‘Run Old Installer‘ button to start.
IMPORTANT NOTE: for all AutoCAD R13, R14, 2000, 2000i, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 users – at some point the installer will prompt to install your software in C:\Program Files (x86)\AutoCAD <Version> – Do *NOT* install to this folder, instead, change the path to away from the Program Files folder (please read on). The specific folder names that you must install your product to are listed just below.
NOTE: The installation destination folder *must* also contain the version id.
NOTE: If you have a vertical product, such as ADT, Civil, LDT, etc. simply abbreviate the folder name with your vertical product name, making sure to end the folder name with the series/year version number e.g. Land Desktop 2007 is C:\ldt2007 or ADT2i goes to c:\adt2000i
For AutoCAD R13 – the installer will by default into c:\r13 so no changes needed.
For AutoCAD R14 – C:\acadR14
For AutoCAD 2000 – C:\acad2000
For AutoCAD 2000i – C:\acad2000i
For AutoCAD 2002 – C:\acad2002 (Note (a): May still install to C:\Program Files (x86)\AutoCAD 2002)
For AutoCAD 2004 – C:\acad2004
For AutoCAD 2005 – C:\acad2005
For AutoCAD 2006 – C:\acad2006
For AutoCAD 2007 – C:\acad2007
Note (a) cont: If you are installing AutoCAD 2002 , entering the path C:\acad2002 may not take (a bug in the AutoCAD 2002 installer). In that case, you will need to select the installation folder C:\Program Files (x86)\AutoCAD 2002
NOTE: Failure to install to the paths above will affect the running of your AutoCAD, one specific issue will be with the licensing system not installing correctly.
If the Old AutoCAD Installer Reviver was successful, you will see a clear message indicating success and your old AutoCAD installer should start up (be patient, it could take up to 45 minutes to start). If your installer doesn’t work on this system, or if there was a problem installing then the tool will inform you. If you have waited more that 45 minutes for the installer to start, simply reboot and start again – or refer to the trouble shooting section below.
The next step is to convert the AutoCAD files that we physically installed to your machine, please follow the next step by running the Old AutoCAD Program Reviver
Troubleshooting
If you encounter any issues running your installer, first read below to see if your specific issue is listed, then try disabling your anti-virus system and then re-run the steps from (1)
a) If your installer doesn’t start up (be sure to wait at most 45 minutes for it to start before reading on) – first step is to reboot your machine and try again, there could be pending installer changes that have not been propagated, then re-run the steps from (1)
b) If installer still doesn’t start up, go to your Control Panel->Programs and uninstall anything that has appeared since you installed the Converter. Next delete all files and folders that may have been left behind from any previous tests, for instance, if you installed AutoCAD 2000 to c:\acad2000 delete the c:\acad2000 folder, reboot again, then re-run the steps from (1)
c) For AutoCAD R14, ignore any errors indicating that the shortcuts cannot be created. You will have to create them by hand once the install is complete.
d) For AutoCAD 2000, ignore any errors relating to ‘Cannot create folder while copying objdbx.z’, when you run the Old AutoCAD Program Reviver’ those issues will be fixed. Ignore any errors indicating that the shortcuts cannot be created. You will have to create them by hand once the install is complete
e) If your installer fails with an error code, it could be because your version of AutoCAD is locked and/or uses the C-Dilla licensing system. Version 5.4 or newer of the Converter contains a feature called Disable Windows Driver Signing Verification which you should try next. NOTE: Currently not supported Turn this setting on, and then retry your installer. NOTE: Users who utilize the Microsoft Bitlocker functionality – Using this setting may require that you enter your Microsoft Bitlocker passkey the next time you reboot, so make sure you have the passkey available if indeed you do use Microsoft Bitlocker to encrypt your drive.
f) If your AutoCAD version is one of the R13, R14 or 2000 series, if all is working (but just taking a long time) you will find an _ISTMP0.DIR folder created in the same folder as your copied CD. If you open this folder, watch to see if any new files are being generated (over 40+ in total) – if so, wait longer – your setup will start soon; if not, then reboot and try again.
Important Note: This tool is not guaranteed to work in all circumstances. The tool forces full security access to the software being processed and enables the selected emulation modes in order to give your software the best environment possible in order to work. Some systems are locked down by their security software or IT department, so it depends on your system implementation, however, in most cases it works perfectly. Be aware that R13, R14 and 2000 all use 16bit installers which are only supported by version 6.1 or greater of the Converter.
With limited sales, the following ad is displayed to help support the further development of the Converter tool… Clicking on the ad goes toward showing your appreciation!
How to use the Old AutoCAD Program Reviver
This tool is used to revive your newly installed AutoCAD program files. This tool solves all issues related to running older versions of AutoCAD on newer versions of Windows.
You should use the Old AutoCAD Program Reviver, if:
- You have installed your AutoCAD version 2007 or older using the Old AutoCAD Installer Reviver
- You are running on Windows 8, Windows 8.1 or Windows 10 and have just installed 32bit AutoCAD versions 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 or 2015 using the AutoCAD 32bit Installer Converter
- You are running on Windows 8, Windows 8.1 or Windows 10 and have a 64bit version of AutoCAD 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 or 2015 already installed on your system
If you have one of the described scenarios above then you must convert the AutoCAD program files that have been installed using this tool, otherwise AutoCAD will not run correctly and/or may crash out.
Here’s what you need to do…
1) Select the Old AutoCAD Program Reviver tab.
2) This text shows what the AutoCAD Program Reviver is doing and will give you status reports as it runs. On V5 or newer of the software, hovering your mouse over this text or the ‘?’ icon will display relevant tool-tip messages that will help explain situations that you may run into while doing the conversion as shown below…
3) Either type the path or pick the ‘…’ button to select the folder where your old AutoCAD program is installed, for example C:\Acad2002
4) On V5 of the software or newer, this setting allows you to double the memory capability of your 32bit application, from 2GB to 4GB (around 1.1GB-1.3GB usable to around 3.2-3.5GB usable). On a 32bit Windows system, any program is restricted to 2GB of memory, that is the limit. However, on 64bit Windows systems the program memory limit is in theory 2,000 million times greater than a 32bit system (although current day computer hardware doesn’t allow for anywhere near that).
5) If the AutoCAD Reviver recognizes your AutoCAD program path, the ‘Fix Old Program‘ button will become active. Simply click the ‘Fix Old Program‘ button to start processing the folder structure. If the tool was successful, you will see a clear message indicating success.
You should now be able to run your AutoCAD as normal!!
It’s a good idea to make sure you install the latest Service Packs/sp’s from the Autodesk Website – Please follow these instructions on how to install an update to your existing install:
1) Download the update to a folder, say C:\AdeskUpdate.
2) Start the Longbow Converter
3) Select the “Old AutoCAD Program Reviver” tab
4) Pick the “…” button and select the C:\AdeskUpdate folder
5) Once selected, click the ‘Fix Old Program‘ button and wait for the tool to finish.
6) Using Windows Explorer, run and install all the updates that you downloaded in C:\AdeskUpdate.
Troubleshooting
If your AutoCAD fails to start-up…
a) Try re-running the ‘Old AutoCAD Program Reviver’ with ‘Upgrade 32bit 2GB application RAM limit to 4GB’ off
b) If you are missing DLLs on startup or some entry point cannot be found? The easiest solution is to go back to your working machine and copy all of the files from your AutoCAD install folder, and your Program Files\Common Files\Autodesk Shared (if it exists) and paste them into the same folders on the new machine (except of 64bit machines Program Files\Common Files\Autodesk Shared will actually be Program Files\Common Files\Autodesk Shared). Be very careful to overwrite the existing files, the folders must be mirrored exactly for it to work.
Important Note: This tool is not guaranteed to work in all circumstances. The tool forces full security access to the software being processed and enables the selected emulation modes in order to give your software the best environment possible in order to work. Some systems are locked down by their security software or IT department, so it it depends on your system, however, in most cases it works perfectly.