Installation of AUTOCAD 2011 fails on operating system w2k8r2.

[dthompson1]

I get a error message trying to install AUTOCAD 2011 on a Windows 2008 R2 server.  The message tells me that I cannot install this product on the current operating system.  This is my first time installing AUTOCAD.  Can anyone help, or point me in the right direction?

[DarrenP]

windows server is not a supported os

you need xp, vista or windows 7 32 bit or 64 bit

[dthompson1]

But I understood that you could install it along with Network Manager on a server, and then distribute a client to each pc using the software.  Is this not correct??

[DarrenP]

no thats not correct the license manager gets installed on the server not the product

the product gets installed on the client machines

the license manager dishes out the licenses not autocad

[dthompson1]

Ok, I can understand that.  Isn't the Network License Manager installed from the 'Tools and Utilities' folder on the AUTOCAD media??

[DarrenP]

yes it is

[dthompson1]

When I select that folder to install, I get the same error that this software cannot be installed on this operating system.

[DarrenP]

can post a screen shot of the error message?

[dthompson1]

   Thank you!!

[DarrenP]

it shouldn't show that error if your clicking on the install tools/ulility button

[DarrenP]

do you have the latest service pack on for the server ?

[dthompson1]

As far as I can tell, yes.  Windows 2008 R2 does not have a service pack for it yet.  I performed a check for updates, and only found 4 security updates.  I did apply them.

[DarrenP]

try downloading and installing using this: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/item?linkID=9242258&id=13737466&siteID=123112

make sure to get the correct version 32 bit or 64 bit for windows

[dthompson1]

Darren,

Yes, that worked great!!!  Thank you!!!

May I explain what we are trying to accomplish, at least this is what I have had explained to me.  They want to install AUTOCAD on a server so that the users can share it.  I don't know AUTOCAD enough to know what it is that they want to share.  From what you have told me so far, and thanks for that, the software must be installed on each pc.  If that is so, then what benefit is having a server involved??

[DarrenP]

in this case you don't need a server for the license manager

it depends on how many users you have that are using autocad and how many licenses you have and how many are using it at the same time

[dthompson1]

I think they are under the assumption that it be installed on a server, and then each pc can run the software from the server and not have it installed on each pc.

[DarrenP · Accepted solution]

thats not how autocad works

you have to have the program installed on a workstation computer with windows xp or vista or windows 7 or the mac OS if you have autocad for mac installed

[dthompson1]

Darren - thank you very much for educating me today.  Have a GREAT day!!!

[DarrenP]

you to