Install 32-bit AutoCAD Architecture 2008 on Windows Vista 64-bit OS

When I first attempted to load AutoCAD Architecture 2008 on my new Windows Vista 64-bit Operating System, I suffered a panic attack when I got a message saying that the program I am attempting to install only runs on a 32-bit OS and would not load on my new computer. Knowing absolutely nothing about this, and starting from square one, I went through a lot of intense searching and asking questions until I eventually learned how to get around this problem. I finally loaded the program and it works beautifully. I now know exactly what to do and, hopefully, the instructions below will prevent others from having to go through the same distress that I did.


In order to get ACA2008 up and running on a 64-bit OS, you need two files, ACA.msi and setup.ini, to overwrite the existing files on the installation package. These two files originated from Autodesk, and from what I've learned, Autodesk states that these files are workaround solutions and doesn't make it easy for someone to obtain them.


The first thing you need, to side-step Autodesk, are these two programs - Bit Torrent and WinRAR. If you don't already have them installed on your computer, here's where to get them:

Bit Torrent

WinRAR

Bit Torrent is a shareware program that is safe and free which enables you to find files around the Internet. Files downloaded to your computer have a file extension of .torrent. WinRAR is a zip program with which the two files you need to get ACA2008 loaded are zipped. The WinRAR download is free, but it is a trial download that expires in 40 days. No matter. It will be active long enough for our use.


Once Bit Torrent and WinRAR are installed on your computer, the next step is preparation. Create 3 new folders on your computer, ACA2008, Files Safe, and Files Copy.

1. The folder ACA2008 is where you will copy the AutoCAD Architecture 2008 installation DVD to. Do that now. If you don't know how do do this, here's how:

a) Put the installation DVD into your computer. If a box appears with choices, i.e., run the program or view the DVD with Windows Explorer, select the latter. Highlight and copy all of the folders and files. If, when you put the DVD into the computer, it begins running the installation (actually, it will just pop up an error message), cancel out of the installation. Load "Computer", or "My Computer", right click on the DVD icon and select "Explore". Copy all of the files.

b) Open the newly created ACA2008 folder and paste the files into there.

2. The folder Files Safe is where you will copy the files ACA.msi and setup.ini from folder ACA2008 to for safe keeping. Both files are right up front, not buried in any folders. Just scroll down until you find ACA, and then not far below that is setup.ini. That file is right underneath setup.exe. make sure that you copy the right file.

3. The folder Files Copy is where you will download the new ACA.msi and setup.ini files to. Now, here's where you get those files:

Torrent File

Just click on the green text that says, "DOWNLOAD THIS TORRENT". As soon as you download this file, Bit Torrent will automatically load and begin unpackaging it. When the file is 100% completed, click on the "files" tab at the bottom of Bit Torrent where you will see the file you downloaded as a .rar file. Double click on that file. WinRAR will appear with the unzipped file. Double click on the folder you see to open it. You will find ACA.msi and setup.ini. inside. There is also a notepad file in there, but don't bother with it. It's confusing. Highlight ACA.msi and setup.ini, click on "Files/copy files to clipboard", and then paste them in the Files Copy folder.

4. Copy the downloaded ACA.msi and setup.ini files from the Files Copy folder and paste them into the ACA2008 folder, overwriting the existing two files.

That's it! AutoCAD Architecture 2008 is now ready to install!


Either run the setup.exe file in the ACA2008 folder, or double click on it.