AutoCad R13 for DOS or Windows - Which is Better??
Todd Stevens
I provide computer support to a group of engineers and they recently
got 2 Compaq DeskPro/XL 590 PC's and ordered R13 for DOS, not Windows.
They said the DOS version was much faster and had fewer problems than
the Windows version. First of all, is this true? Also, are there
any compatibility problems in trading drawings between the DOS and
Windows versions?
Second, I have had nothing but problems trying to get working hi-res
video drivers to work on these machines. Does AutoCAD for Windows just
use the Windows video driver or does it have its own?
Third, is there a steep learning curve in going from the DOS versions
to the Windows version?
Lastly, would you all rather have the Windows or DOS version?
Thanks for your input,
Todd Stevens
to...@infi.net
City of Chesapeake, VA
Dept. of Information Technology
Don Gallagher
>
>
>I provide computer support to a group of engineers and they recently
>got 2 Compaq DeskPro/XL 590 PC's and ordered R13 for DOS, not Windows.
>They said the DOS version was much faster and had fewer problems than
Yes. The DOS version is about 10% faster than the Windows version. If you
ordered rel 13 your going to get both the Windows and DOS versions. They
give you both now and let you decide which you wish to use. At least
thats how it works if you get it on CD-ROM.
The Video, Pointing device and plotting are all given up to Windows as
with any Windows program.
The Windows version is much better if you have a machine that can handle
it. I recommend a P90 and 32 meg of ram. Also you will need to create a
large (62 meg) swap file and have 45 meg free for the program!! WOW! The
menu system for the Windows version is a real improvement over rel 12 for
Windows.
brian weir
>
>
>I provide computer support to a group of engineers and they recently
>got 2 Compaq DeskPro/XL 590 PC's and ordered R13 for DOS, not Windows.
>They said the DOS version was much faster and had fewer problems than
>the Windows version. First of all, is this true? Also, are there
>any compatibility problems in trading drawings between the DOS and
>Windows versions?
>
>Second, I have had nothing but problems trying to get working hi-res
>video drivers to work on these machines. Does AutoCAD for Windows just
>use the Windows video driver or does it have its own?
1. yes, r12 windows comes with a video driver ver4.2 & it's ok.
2. Dos is definitely faster, and i'm having weird graphic redraw problems and also
too many miscellaneous crashes. winr12 is BUGGY! and i'm getting that way from using it
3. no compatibility problems found here
4.there should be dos high res drivers in the configuration, i have up to 1028
regards
brian
Charles Haber
> I provide computer support to a group of engineers and they recently
> got 2 Compaq DeskPro/XL 590 PC's and ordered R13 for DOS, not Windows.
> They said the DOS version was much faster and had fewer problems than
> the Windows version. First of all, is this true? Also, are there
> any compatibility problems in trading drawings between the DOS and
> Windows versions?
The package that I got had both. DOS is much faster, but Windows is the
direction the world is going. It's a trade off between speed and
interface (and the convenience of productivty apps).
> Second, I have had nothing but problems trying to get working hi-res
> video drivers to work on these machines. Does AutoCAD for Windows just
> use the Windows video driver or does it have its own?
Your video driver is OEM'ed from Matrox. For the DOS version, get Matrox's
version 12 drivers, they work fine.
> Third, is there a steep learning curve in going from the DOS versions
> to the Windows version?
Not really, just a speed curve (downward).
> Lastly, would you all rather have the Windows or DOS version?
I'd rather have Microstation ;-)
Charles....
Anthony V Parente
I work with enginners, been using Acad since R9
I've only been working with 13 for about a month and here is my judgement:
Also, are there
:any compatibility problems in trading drawings between the DOS and
:Windows versions?
Not that I've noticed, although once a drawing is converted from an old format going
back to R12 format didn't happen. I'm not sure of your version but the release I have
included both DOS and Windows versions and much of the related guts of the
program appear in a "common" directory.
:
:Second, I have had nothing but problems trying to get working hi-res
:video drivers to work on these machines. Does AutoCAD for Windows just
:use the Windows video driver or does it have its own?
:
The Windows version supplies two drivers of which I had not problem using. However
I have noticed that the drawing was not always clear (screened almost). I haven't
yet pinned it down to the ACAD driver or my 21" NEC monitor, or some ACAD set
variable.
:Third, is there a steep learning curve in going from the DOS versions
:to the Windows version?
:
It would seem so, I have been used to a tablet for 4 years and going straight
to windows toolbars can be a tough step. But even the tablet has changed!! so your
kind of forced into a possibly unwanted learning curve. Even the ACAD "classic"
menu setting does not produce the same menu as R12. This will definitely take time to
adjust to.
:Lastly, would you all rather have the Windows or DOS version?
Given the changes I'll still take Windows over DOS. It'll take time to adjust
but the future in in GUI's like Windows, not DOS, Autodesk will force the permanent
change sooner or later.
Good Luck
AVP