KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q73580: Configuring AutoCAD 386 or AutoCAD Release 11 with MS-DOS

Article: Q73580
Product(s): Microsoft Disk Operating System
Version(s): MS-DOS:5.0,5.0a,6.0,6.2,6.21,6.22
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 23-NOV-1999

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft MS-DOS operating system versions 5.0, 5.0a, 6.0, 6.2, 6.21, 6.22 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY
=======

Autodesk's AutoCAD 386 running under MS-DOS version 5.0 or later may appear to
either run very slowly or to hang the machine. AutoCAD 386 is a VCPI (virtual
control program interface) program; it will access and use all of the extended
memory on a system without the need for HIMEM.SYS.

AutoCAD 386 is the same product as AutoCAD release 11.

MORE INFORMATION
================

There are four ways to get AutoCAD 386 to run under MS-DOS 5.0 or later:

- If you are using release 11(c2), run the program NEWDX.EXE found on the
  AutoCAD disk "Dxfix / Newdx / B1_step". This program updates the Phar Lap
  386/DOS-Extender. The new updated DOS-Extender allows AutoCAD 386 to use the
  XMS memory that HIMEM.SYS provides.

  NOTE: If you are also using EMM386.EXE, AutoCAD reverts to the VCPI (as
  opposed to XMS) specifications for memory allocation. You must use at least a
  16K page (LIM 4.0) if you use EMM386.EXE.

-or-

- On the HIMEM.SYS line in the CONFIG.SYS file, specify /INT15=xxxx, where xxxx
  equals the amount of memory you want to allocate to AutoCAD 386. This
  parameter allows other memory schemes other than the XMS to co-exist. For
  example:

     device=c:\dos\himem.sys /int15=2048

-or-

- Specify EMM386 to use expanded memory, which AutoCAD 386 can use as well.
  Make sure HIMEM.SYS is loaded first. An example of choosing expanded memory
  is

     device=c:\dos\emm386.exe xxxx ram

  where xxxx is equal to the amount of expanded memory you want.

-or-

- Remove HIMEM.SYS from the CONFIG.SYS file altogether; however, there are
  disadvantages to doing this. You will lose the capability of loading MS-DOS
  high; also, you will not be able to load TSRs and other programs in the UMA
  (upper memory area).

For more information on AutoCAD 386 (Release 11), refer to the "AutoCad 386
Installation and Performance Guide" or contact Autodesk.

The products included here are manufactured by vendors independent of Microsoft;
we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding these products' performance
or reliability.

Additional query words: 6.22 5.00 5.00a 6.00 6.20 autocadd auto cad 6.21

======================================================================
Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbMSDOSSearch kbMSDOS621 kbMSDOS622 kbMSDOS620 kbMSDOS600 kbMSDOS500 kbMSDOS500a
Version           : MS-DOS:5.0,5.0a,6.0,6.2,6.21,6.22

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.