[Li'l Dave]

Can Autocad be run on a laptop computer? I bought a copy and was using it on my desktop, then I got a laptop and it works like garbage. It takes about 5 minutes to load...seriously, is very slow running, and once I close it down it screws up the rest of my computer. By screws up I mean that is makes it go extremely slow to the point that I have to shut it down, and the mouse flickers between the pointer and the hourglass. I wasn't sure this was the correct place to ask this, but I can't figure it out. Thanks, and let me know if you have any suggestions.

 

[cadman]

Yes. Cad & cadcam software can run on laptops provided you have enough memory, a fast processor and importantly, a good video card. Generally that means your laptop should be a fairly new model. At the moment there are only 2 cad certified graphics cards available for laptops. The one from Nvidia is only available as an oem on the Dell Precision M50. The ATI fire 9000 can be bought through a reseller.

I couldn't afford the M50 so I bought a Dell Inspiron 8200 with an Intel P4-M 2.2 ghz processor, 512 mb memory and the 64mb ATI Radeon 9000 card. As soon as I can I'm going to replace the Radeon with the Fire and fill up the memory. I have SolidWorks & Virtual Gibbs on my machine and both run perfect. Only when I work with parts that have surfaces that number in the thousands does dynamic rotation slow down in Gibbs (Virual Gibbs is very dependent on fast graphics cards).

If you don't want to spring for a new laptop then get more memory and a better graphics card. Note: cad certfied graphics cards are not the same as 3D gaming cards. Most cad & cad cam software will work poorly with gaming cards. Also, disable your mouse pointer shadow, disable any menu & tooltip transition effects, disable "show window contents while dragging" and any other foo foo animation effects. Hope this helps. Good luck.

 

[mrbigisbudgood]

We've got SolidWorks on one of the Engineering laptops and it smokes some of the desktops as far as performance goes, of course it's 2 months old too. AutoCAD isn't real graphics intensive like SW or IDEAS so it's probably a matter of memory and processor power for you.

 

[Li'l Dave]

I'm using a brand new computer. P-4, 512 mb, 2.6 gigahertz, and a 64 mb video card. Everything about my new computer is much better than my old one, but still the program doesn't work. We took it into the shop yesterday, and they couldn't figure it out, we switched some settings, and even tried deleting the software and re loading it. Nothing seems to help, I do have some friends in the CU mechanical engineering school, would they know how to change any small problems? Thanks for you help, this is really starting to piss me off.

 

[stosh]

Originally posted by Li'l Dave
I'm using a brand new computer. P-4, 512 mb, 2.6 gigahertz, and a 64 mb video card. Everything about my new computer is much better than my old one, but still the program doesn't work. We took it into the shop yesterday, and they couldn't figure it out, we switched some settings, and even tried deleting the software and re loading it. Nothing seems to help, I do have some friends in the CU mechanical engineering school, would they know how to change any small problems? Thanks for you help, this is really starting to piss me off.

Thats really strange but maybe it's your video card....
You installed the program and put in all the correct codes and stuff.
Where won't it run, can you start the program up at all?


PS I'm a drafter and work on a desktop with autocad all day.

 

[Booker]

What verson of Autocad are you running? And what are you using it for eg. 3D design, architectural plans, fully rendered 3D models?

 

[cadman]

Could possibly be a program running in the background. Anti-virus programs can interfer with cad software. Check what processes are running and one by one stop each one that the operating system doesn't need to function with. If one of them is causing the problem then you'll know which one it is.

 

[Li'l Dave]

I can start it up, it just takes about 5 minutes for it to fully load up. Once it opens it will run, but then I have to turn my computer off and on again for it to work at all. I'm positive I put in all the right codes, my registration worked fine. By the way, what I bought was the student version of the Inventor series. I haven't even screwed with Invetor yet though, I am just using the mechanical desktop section. I'm not doing anything too complex, right now I'm replicating an MRP bash gaurd in 2d.

 

[stosh]

Originally posted by Li'l Dave
I can start it up, it just takes about 5 minutes for it to fully load up. Once it opens it will run, but then I have to turn my computer off and on again for it to work at all. I'm positive I put in all the right codes, my registration worked fine. By the way, what I bought was the student version of the Inventor series. I haven't even screwed with Invetor yet though, I am just using the mechanical desktop section. I'm not doing anything too complex, right now I'm replicating an MRP bash gaurd in 2d.

Sounds screwy to me....
It almost sounds like you don't have enough memory.

Do you want to send me a sample of your drawing and I'll see how if it works?

 

[Li'l Dave]

I can try to send you a copy later, this afternoon we are going to this guy's house in town that has taught autocad for the last 10 years. If he can't figure it out, I'll get something over to you. You Think it could be the memory though? I just don't understand, this computer is super nice and powerful.

 

[stosh]

Originally posted by Li'l Dave
I can try to send you a copy later, this afternoon we are going to this guy's house in town that has taught autocad for the last 10 years. If he can't figure it out, I'll get something over to you. You Think it could be the memory though? I just don't understand, this computer is super nice and powerful.

It just seems like you are locking your computer up. Autocad locks up my desktop all the time so who knows.
Are you hatching or doing some more memory intense commands?