Autocad related Computer problem - Complicated ???

[Flareman]

I run Autocad 2004 as part of a package with Inventor and Mech desktop. Recently I got in the mail a trial offer (2 free disks) with Autocad Map 3D, so I loaded it up to see what it was like. As it happens it doesn't do anything for me so I won't be upgrading.
BUT
after I loaded it my AutoCad doesn't print. Press the print button and "poof" everything disappears.
SO
I unloaded Autocad Map 3D
THEN
neither ACAD nor MD will start. I get a strange message (see later).
SO
I unloaded MD etc and that stopped windows XP from booting up.
I reloaded XP, reloaded Inventor,MD/ACAD.
Inventor works again but MD/ACAD still gives the message
"the procedure entry point ?addLinksGIContinuity@AcGeImpCompositeCurve3d@@QAEXN@Z could not be located in the dynamic link library AcGe16.dll"
I looked all over for the .dll and it's not there at all.
I'm at my wits end. It's been almost 2 days now and I can't do any drawings on this machine (laptop). Fortunately I have a previous copy of Autocad which I loaded on an old desktop but I need the portability.

It's not a virus, I already ran the latest AV.

Anyone ???? PLEASE ???

 

[ctopher]

Try changing Windows to a earlier save point. Then you may need to reinstall ACAD.

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 05
AutoCAD 05
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716

 

[Flareman]

Chris
Thanks, but I did that already. It was all part of finishing up having to reload XP from scratch and go through reloading ACAD (which I did 3 times already today including repairs etc).

 

[MikeHalloran]

The problem sounds like copy protection gone awry. I.e., something didn't get removed completely, and ACAD is assuming you're a pirate, or XP is just more confused than usual.

The dll may be a hidden file, or located in a hidden directory, one of XP's wonderful features. If it exists, ZtreeWin can find it even if Windows Explorer says it's not there.

The tail end of that procedure entry point name looks a little odd. Try searching the registry for pieces of it, after removing ACAD again.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[ctopher]

I agree. Must be in the registry. If you have support, they can probably help you find it.

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 05
AutoCAD 05
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716

 

[IFRs]

Uninstall all cad products.
Reboot
Run a registry cleaner, like RegistryFirstAid

http://www.rosecitysoftware.com

(yes - you'll have to buy)
Reboot and run the registry cleaner again until it finds nothing to do.
Make sure XP is fully updated and running OK.
Make sure all your drivers (especially video) are fully updated.
Clear all temp folders and prefetch folders.
Install ONE of the cad products and verify it works.
Install the next cad product and verify it works.
If something does not work STOP, debug it and then proceed.

 

[Flareman]

Thanks to those who jumped in to help
BUT
I tried everything (except wiping the hard drive and starting over) including cleaning the registry, reloading XP, reloading Autocad etc etc ad infinitum.
No change.
My further research leads me to believe this is a Windows problem which comes up if you uninstall certain things (unspecified) and have the SP2 upgrade of XP. It seems that XP is to dumb to know what's going on and rolls back some files to pre SP2 status which screws things up. In my case I'm getting more and more failure notices the more I do, so the new hard drive is getting closer.

Microsoft have a generic set of instructions on what to do (enough to fill a small book). I think I already did everything but I'll try again. I only hope Bill Gates has these problems too and has to fix it himself. I don't have time for this ****.

David

 

[MikeHalloran]

To be fair, XP is a lot better than its predecessors. But that's faint praise indeed.

I figure Gates owes me, and every other Windows victim worldwide, about an hour's pay for every working day since 1983, when we all became his beta testers.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[borgunit]

Some info...

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/item?id=2878545&linkID=2475323&siteID=123112

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/item?id=5090602&linkID=2475323&siteID=123112

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/item?id=6100859&linkID=2475323&siteID=123112

"Everybody is ignorant, only on different subjects." — Will Rogers