Proceeding with the Installation

AutoCAD 2005 installs like most other Windows programs, but there are a few things that you'll want to know before you start. This section offers some information that can be helpful as you begin your installation.

Installing the AutoCAD Software

Installing AutoCAD is simple and straightforward; AutoCAD uses an installation wizard like most other Windows programs. Here are some guidelines to follow during the installation process:

• Before you start, make sure you have enough disk space and also make sure that no other programs are running. You will also want to have your AutoCAD serial number and CD key on hand. These items are usually on the package label.

• Typically, the AutoCAD installation program starts up automatically when you insert the AutoCAD 2005 CD into your computer, but in the event that it doesn't, do the following:

  1. In Windows, choose Start   Run to open the Run dialog box.

  2. In the Open box, enter D:setup . Enter the letter of your CD drive in place of the D in this example. Click OK when you are ready. You see the AutoCAD 2005 Master Setup dialog box.

• You'll see a row of options near the top of the Master Setup dialog box labeled Install, What's Inside, Documentation, Support, and Network Deployment. Click Install. The rest of the dialog box will change to show the Install options. Click Install under Install AutoCAD 2005.

• After the installation starts, follow the directions in the installation wizard. In the Personal Information screen, you are asked for your name, company, and AutoCAD vendor's name and telephone number. This information will be displayed on the opening AutoCAD screen, so don't enter anything you'll regret later.

• You are also asked to select the location for your AutoCAD files. The tutorials in this book assume that you have AutoCAD on drive C and in a folder called \Program Files\ AutoCAD2005\ ”these are the defaults during the installation.

• You are given the choice of Typical, Full, Compact, or Custom installation. I encourage you to choose the Full installation so that you can take advantage of all AutoCAD features.

• If you don't have enough disk space, the installation wizard will let you know exactly how much room you need on each drive involved in the installation. You can take steps to make more room by using Windows Explorer or the Windows Disk Cleanup utility. If you do this, make sure you close those programs when you've finished making room and before you return to the AutoCAD setup.

• After the AutoCAD files are installed, you are returned to the Master Setup dialog box. You will also want to install the AutoCAD Express tools under Install Supplemental Tools.

After the installation is complete, you will see the AutoCAD 2005 Setup dialog box, which might ask whether you want to restart your computer. It's usually better to restart your computer immediately after installing AutoCAD, if it requests that you do so.

Installing Other AutoCAD Components

If you didn't initially install some AutoCAD components, such as the database tools, and you would like to install them, take the following steps:

1. Place your AutoCAD 2005 CD in your computer's CD drive.

2. If the AutoCAD 2005 Master Setup dialog box does not appear automatically, choose Start   Run to open the Run dialog box.

3. In the Open box, enter D:setup , where D is the letter of your CD drive.

4. Click Install from the row of options, and then click Install under Install AutoCAD 2005. The installation program will detect that you have AutoCAD already installed on your system and give you the option to add or remove features, reinstall or repair AutoCAD 2005, or remove AutoCAD 2005 altogether. Select Add Or Remove Features, and click Next. At the next dialog box, you see a list of AutoCAD features that you can install.

5. Choose the feature you want to install from the list. A drop-down menu appears, offering a set of installation options. Select the appropriate option.

6. Repeat step 5 for each option you want to include in your AutoCAD installation. When you are finished, click Next.

7. You are asked whether you want to proceed with the installation. Choose Yes to install the selected additional features.