

       ============================================================= 
               READC2A.TXT - AutoCAD R13c2a_c2 Update Release
       ============================================================= 

                           April 2, 1995

========================================================================== 
CONTENTS
======== 

    R13c2a_c2 Update Release Information
    
        What Problems Does it Fix?

        Purpose
    
        Background
    
        General Questions and Answers
    
        Installation Procedure

    
========================================================================== 
WHAT PROBLEMS DOES IT FIX?
========================== 
The R13c2a_c2 update fixes one problem only.  This fix applies to 
AutoCAD Release 13 for Windows and Windows NT only.  

Do not install this update if you use AutoCAD for DOS only.

    - The crosshairs no longer appear frozen during tablet configuration 
or calibration when using the Wintab driver. 


========================================================================== 
PURPOSE
======= 
Autodesk is committed to delivering products of the highest quality. With 
any major software release, some problems are found after the product 
ships.  Autodesk is committed to proactively addressing quality concerns, 
and therefore has developed a software update procedure to distribute bug 
fixes as quickly and easily as possible. The purpose of this document is 
to explain the update procedure in general, as well as specific 
information about AutoCAD Release 13c2a_c2.

========================================================================== 
BACKGROUND 
========== 
Problems are reported through the dealer network to Autodesk Product 
Support or by customers by filling out a bug report form provided in the 
back of the Installation Guide and mailing it to Autodesk. Once a problem 
is verified as a bug, it is entered into Autodesk's bug tracking system.  
Once bugs are fixed, software patch programs are created to correct the 
problems.

In the past, bug fixes required full Maintenance Releases, such as C1 or 
C2. In most cases, these bug fixes required customers to reinstall and 
reconfigure the entire product.  Now, using software patch technology, 
dealers and customers are able to use a quick, straight-forward procedure 
to correct the problems without reinstalling AutoCAD.  In most cases, 
patches will not affect any customization or configuration options.


========================================================================== 
GENERAL QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 
=========================== 
- How do software patches work?

Release 13 was specifically designed so it can be easily updated in the 
field.  The software patch is actually a program that is able to modify 
existing files.  When a patch is installed, it replaces the current 
file(s) with the new file(s).

- What are the benefits of using patches?

Most importantly, it allows us to get bug fixes out to our customers 
faster.  Because it is a subset of the program, patches can be freely 
copied and distributed among AutoCAD dealers and customers.  Software 
patches can also be effectively distributed electronically.  Finally, 
patches do not require new serial numbers or authorization codes, and in 
most cases, will not affect customization.

- How does Autodesk distribute patches?

Software patches are posted worldwide to the general forums of CompuServe, 
Global Village, and Internet and can be freely downloaded by dealers and 
customers. A text file for each patch is posted so customers can determine 
whether they need a particular patch.  Once a patch is downloaded, it can 
be copied and distributed among AutoCAD customers.  In addition, 
Maintenance Patches are automatically mailed to all dealers for 
distribution to their customers.  Please contact your Authorized Autodesk 
Reseller or your local Autodesk office for a copy of the latest patch.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  Please be aware that a software patch supplements the 
original disk set and does not replace existing media.  Customers should 
store the software patch media with the original media disk set.

- What customers do these patches affect?

Software patches are distributed as either an Update Patch or a 
Maintenance Patch.

Update Patches typically contain a limited number of bug fixes or fixes to 
bugs that may not affect large groups of customers.  These patches are 
made on an as-needed basis.  Autodesk recommends that dealers distribute 
Update Patches to customers who have reported the specific problems that 
the patches fix.  Since we do not want to inconvenience our customers with 
multiple patches in a relatively short period of time, we do not recommend 
that these fixes be distributed to all customers.  However, some customers 
will always want the latest version and are willing to take the time to 
install it.  These customers should either download the patches 
electronically or work out an arrangement with their dealer.

Maintenance Patches are significantly broader in scope than Update 
Patches.  They contain all bug fixes that have previously been made 
available through Update Patches, as well as additional bug fixes, and in 
some cases may include new functionality.  Maintenance Patches are 
synchronized with Maintenance Releases which are used to manufacture new 
units.  We recommend that dealers proactively distribute Maintenance 
Patches to all of their existing Release 13 customers.  It is our goal to 
have all customers synchronized with the latest Maintenance Release.

Autodesk also recommends that dealers include the latest patch with any 
new sales or in any new installations.

- How are Update Patches and Maintenance Patches differentiated?

Update Patches are designated with a letter and Maintenance Patches are 
designated by a number.  For example, R13c1 indicates a Maintenance Patch. 
R13c1a or R13c1b would indicate the sequence of Update Patches released 
after the R13c1 Maintenance Patch.

- How reliable is this patch technology?

When creating a patch, the patch builder program creates a checksum of the 
original file.  The patch program uses this checksum to ensure that it is 
modifying the correct file.  Other major software vendors are also using 
this technology with great success, and Autodesk used it in a number of 
cases with Release 12.

- What technology does Autodesk use to create these patches?

We use RTPatch from PocketSoft and PKZIP from PKWARE.

- How easy is a patch to install?

An easy-to-use batch file automates the whole procedure.  You simply type 
the batch command and follow the instructions on your screen.  The entire 
process typically takes approximately ten minutes.

- How can I tell whether a patch has been installed already?

The patch automatically updates the version number located in the Help 
About box. 

- If more than one patch exists, do I need to install all of them?

Patches may be of two types:  historical and incremental.  Historical 
patches may be applied to more than one prior version.  For example, the 
C2 historical patch may be applied to C0, C0a, or C1.  It can determine 
which version it is trying to patch.  Incremental patches may only be 
applied to a single version.  For example, the C2 incremental patch may 
be applied to C1 only.  Incremental patches tend to be smaller than 
historical patches and are therefore better suited to electronic 
distribution.

The patch name indicates both the AutoCAD version that results from 
applying the patch and the minimum required current version. For example, 
the R13c2a_c2 patch must be applied to an installed R13c2 version of 
AutoCAD, the R13c2a_c1 patch can be applied to version R13c1 or later 
(i.e., R13c1a or R13c2), and the R13c2a_c0 can be applied to any version 
of AutoCAD Release 13.

- Should I exchange any unopened or uninstalled product?

It is not necessary to exchange existing product -- simply run the 
appropriate patch(es) after the standard installation.


========================================================================== 
INSTALLATION PROCEDURE
====================== 
The R13c2a_c2 update is an incremental patch and must be installed after 
proper installation of R13c2.

-  On which versions of AutoCAD Release 13 does the R13c2a_c2 update work? 

The R13c2a_c2 update works with all English-language versions of AutoCAD 
Release 13 for Windows or Windows NT (no patch is required for DOS). 

-  What about compatibility? 
     
No new authorization codes are required, and the serial number and 
personalization information of the installed copy of AutoCAD is retained. 

-  How do you apply the R13c2a_c2 update? 
     
The update must be applied only after AutoCAD R13c2 has already been 
installed.

1.  The R13c2a_c2 update modifies only the ACAD.EXE file.  No customized 
files are affected and backing up is not required.

2.  When running the installation program you must specify which AutoCAD
version you are updating (locked or unlocked). The update for the locked 
version should be applied to the network version of AutoCAD. 

3.  The following installation instructions assume that you have installed 
AutoCAD for Windows/NT in the \acadr13\win directory on drive C.  If you 
have installed AutoCAD on a drive other than C or in directories with 
names other than the defaults, substitute your drive/directory names in 
the commands listed below for the default directory names. These 
instructions also assume that your floppy drive is drive A.  If you are 
installing from a drive other than A, replace that shown with drive letter 
appropriate to your system.

    AutoCAD for Windows or Windows NT
    --------------------------------- 
    Important: The R13c2a_c2 installation program should not be run from a 
    DOS shell under Windows.
    
    a. Navigate to the directory that contains the Windows/NT ACAD.EXE 
       file. For example, enter the following at a DOS prompt: 
     
         c: 
         cd \acadr13\win 

    b. If installing the patch from a floppy drive, place the disk in 
       drive A, and enter the following to install the unlocked version: 
     
         a:\wininst a: /U

       or the following to install the locked version:

         a:\wininst a: /L
     
    or, 
     
    b. If installing the patch from a directory on the hard drive such as 
       c:\update, enter the following to install the unlocked version: 
     
         c:\update\wininst c:\update /U
       
       or the following to install the locked version:
       
         c:\update\wininst c:\update /L
    
    and follow the instructions on the screen. 


4.  The update is applied. This file, READC2A.TXT, is also installed into 
the AutoCAD directory by the update program.  

5.  Launch AutoCAD as you normally would.  If you are using the Wintab 
tablet driver, you will need to recalibrate and reconfigure the tablet 
with the CAL and CFG options of the TABLET command.



