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You are here: Home / AutoCAD / Backup and Restore AutoCAD System Variables

Backup and Restore AutoCAD System Variables

September 8, 2010 by Edwin Prakoso 6 Comments

If you join some discussion group, you may see many problems are simply because the AutoCAD system variable has changed. The most common variables that cause confusion are FILEDIA and PICKFIRST. There are some more, but those two are very common.

Why this happens? It can happen when you use an AutoCAD command (mostly on AutoCAD based vertical products) and cancel it before it finished. Or the command ends prematurely somehow. It can also caused by some AutoLISP program that change the system variables but not return the original value. If you often download AutoLISP from internet, this problem can happen. There are hundreds of system variables, so you would better backup your original configuration before trying a new LISP. If something went wrong after using that LISP, you can restore the variables easily.

There is a tool that we can use for this purpose: system variable editor.

System_Variable_Editor

This tool is a part of express tools, so you need to make sure you have express tools installed. System variable editor is for editing your system variables easily. You can see the variable, read the description, compare the initial and current value. Very useful if you play with system variable a lot. But see in the red rectangle: you can save all the variables and restore it later!

System_Variable_Editor_dialog

If your AutoCAD works fine, backup your system variables now!

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About Edwin Prakoso

I work as a Sr. Consultant in PT Cipta Satria Informatika. I've been using AutoCAD since R14 and Revit since Revit Building 9. I occasionally write for AUGIWorld magazine and I am also active in Autodesk discussion forum. I'm a member of Autodesk Expert Elite, an appreciation for individuals who give contributions to the Autodesk community.
Connect with me on twitter or LinkedIn.

Filed Under: AutoCAD Tagged With: backup, system variable

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6 Comments
ahmad
ahmad
11 years ago

I got acad.lsp file which keep changing the autocad variable on all pc on the network, how I can get rid of this on all pc’s , noted that I access autocad drwings and files from shared network not on my local disk drive how can delete these virus from there as well.

regards,

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Edwin Prakoso
Edwin Prakoso
Author
Reply to  ahmad
11 years ago

Hi Ahmad,

Probably this can help? http://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/How-to-remove-fas-and-lsp-virus-from-a-server.html

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Edwin Prakoso
Edwin Prakoso
Author
Reply to  ahmad
11 years ago

You might also want to read this: http://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/How-to-detect-and-remove-the-Acad-vlx-virus-s.html

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sow
sow
11 years ago

Thanks man, it worked out.

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najmal
najmal
11 years ago

Thanks it works

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Stephan Bartl
Stephan Bartl
14 years ago

DANGER: The "Save" option is buggy. It does not store the real numbers with enough precision. When the saved file is read back into Acad with the "Read" option then most likely some of the sysvar-values will get corrupted. Especially dangerous is it with any angles that are stored in Rad in the exported file.

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