Technical bulletin #1003
Installing RoboCAD 20.1a under Windows 95
The latest version of RoboCAD 20 is version 20.1a. Serial numbers start at 239950. Updates from previous versions of RoboCAD 20 are available for $50.00. Upgrades from RoboCAD 4 or earlier are $500.00. Updates and upgrades are available from your RoboCAD dealer, or direct from Robo Systems.
You can install RoboCAD 20 (v20.1a) just like any other program under Windows 95. Since Windows 95 is readily customizable, there are many ways to do most things. If you are familiar with it, you may wish to depart from these instructions, if not, then please follow them carefully.
You will be using the Add/Remove Programs feature of Windows 95. This will automatically find the RoboCAD installation program. Add/Remove Programs is in the Control Panel. There are at least two ways to get to the Control Panel in Windows 95.
Method 1: Click the Start button on the Taskbar, choose Settings, and then Control Panel.
Method 2: Double click the My Computer icon. You will usually find this in the upper left hand corner of your screen (unless it has been changed, renamed, moved, or deleted--all possible under the highly customizable Windows 95 interface!). Double click on the Control Panel.
In either case, once you are in the control panel, you will find an icon for Add/Remove Program. Double click on it to open the Add Remove Programs Properties dialog box. The Install/Uninstall tab is "to the front." In the top section of this tab screen is a button labeled Install… Click it.
You will see the dialog box: Install Program from Floppy Disk or CD-ROM.
If you have not put the RoboCAD 20 System diskette into the floppy disk drive, DO IT NOW!
Click the Next button located at the bottom of the dialog box. The install program will automatically search for and find the RoboCAD 20 System diskette, and locate the installation program.
If this doesn't happen, you have the wrong diskette in the floppy disk drive (or the diskette is faulty). Put the correct disk in the drive and click the Back button at the bottom of the dialog box and repeat the step above.
Next click the Finish button at the bottom of the dialog box. The RoboCAD 20 installation program will begin. Windows opens an MS-DOS Window titled "Install - ..."
From this point, just follow the on-screen instructions. If you have never installed RoboCAD before, be sure to read the advice on choosing a display type. If you are in doubt about which display to use, choose VGA (choice D). This works on all known computers that can run Windows 95. Later RoboCAD will ask you to choose arrow sizes. This is the size of the arrows used to draw dimensions. The standard arrows are drawn to the ANSI Drafting Standard, but most people find them too large, and prefer the small arrows option.
Depending on your computer's screen resolution and configuration, the MS-DOS Window may appear small. You can enlarge it by hitting the "maximize window" button on the upper left hand portion of the DOS window. If you don't know what this is, look it up in your Windows 95 manual.
When the installation is complete, you can go right into RoboCAD 20.
When you exit RoboCAD 20, most systems require you to close the MS-DOS window by using the "close window" button. If you don't know what this is, look it up in your Windows 95 manual.
Now you have successfully installed RoboCAD 20 there is more to be done to make it easily accessible from the Windows 95 interface, Remember that there are a lot of different ways to do things, and get at things, from Windows 95. If you are comfortable and familiar with Windows 95, then go ahead. Otherwise please follow our procedure.
Open the Windows Explorer. You will find it in the Start menu under Programs. Click the Start button on the Taskbar, then slide the arrow up to Programs. You'll see a list of programs and folders. One of these, typically all the way at the bottom of the list, is Windows Explorer. Move the arrow over Windows Explorer and click once to open the Windows Explorer Window. From the All Folders list (on the left), click on the folder labeled Robo20. You may need to use the elevator or scroll bar on the left to see this folder.
If this statement is confusing, or you can't find the Robo20 folder, you will need to get help from your local Windows 95 expert.
From the Contents of 'Robo20' list (on the right), chose the file or icon named Rsys or Rsys.bat. Note: You must be able to see your desktop at this point. If Windows explorer fills the entire screen, hit the reduce screen button at the top right hand corner of your window, one over from the close window button.
Holding the right mouse button, drag the file/icon of Rsys onto the desktop and release. You will see a drop-down menu. Choose Create Shortcut(s) Here. A standard MS-DOS shortcut icon for Robo20 is created with the name "Shortcut to Rsys". Right click on the mouse with the cursor over the Icon. Choose Rename from the drop-down menu. Change the name to RoboCAD 20. Right click over the icon again and choose Properties. The RoboCAD 20 Dialog box appears. Choose the Program Tab. Click the Change Icon... button near the bottom, use the browse button to find the Robo20 directory and choose the Rman_16.ico or the Rcad_16.ico icon. Then OK button your way out of this dialog box. Note: If you do not know how to use the browse window, the default location of the Icon is in one of the Windows Sub-directories. Use the picture of the folder button that has an up arrow in it to back up directory levels until you see the Robo20 directory, then choose it by clicking on it. It works very much like Windows Explorer with the toolbar on. You now have an Icon Named RoboCAD 20 floating on your desktop that can be used to access RoboCAD 20.
Now to get it into the Start menu and Program list follow this procedure. Click Start from the Taskbar. Choose Settings | Taskbar. Click the Start menu Programs Tab and click the Advanced... button. Now Drag using the right mouse button, the Icon you just created on the screen for RoboCAD 20, onto an empty space in the contents of 'Start Menu' area. Release the mouse button and choose copy from the drop down list. An icon will appear in this area. Now double-click on the Program folder in the Contents of 'Start Menu' area. It changes to the Contents of 'Programs' area. Again Drag using the right mouse button, the Icon you just created on the screen for RoboCAD 20, onto an empty space in the contents of 'Programs' area. Release the mouse button and choose copy from the drop down list. An icon will appear in this area. Close the Window and OK out of the Taskbar Dialog Box. If you check the Start Menu, you will see an Icon in the top section for RoboCAD 20. If you select Programs, you will see an Item in that list for RoboCAD 20.
You now have three different ways to access RoboCAD 20 from the Windows 95 Desktop. You can leave all of them or delete them as you wish. It is recommended that, at a minimum, you leave RoboCAD 20
in the program list, as this is a typical location for most programs that will be operated under Windows 95.
Description Part # (5¼") Part # (3½") Price $ RoboCAD Version 20.1a Update 2672 5672 50.00 RoboCAD Version 20.1a Upgrade 2670 5670 500.00
See also:
#1008: Using RoboCAD with Windows
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