I have just switched to AutoCAD 2009 and Windows 7 at the same time.  I have many custom hatches I would like to use but I can't edit the .pat files or figure out how to use the custom hatches.
 
Any help would be appreciated.

You use them the same way you did in previous versions. Just open your OPTIONS dialog,  go to the Files tab and create a new "Support File Search Path" that points to the folder where your custom hatches are saved.

hi ther can u teach me how to add or insert or attach a our own new hatch design to hatch patterns? 

Creating new hatches is a manual process - see the AutoCAD Customization Guide for the coding help. Alternatively you can use an add-on utility like HGEN to create hatches visually.

thnx 4 the quick & useful reply.. i will try this way to make a hatch pettern..once again thanx 4 the corporation