opening pdf files

[tearinghair]

You'll all be getting so fed up with me asking basic questions; apologies in advance!

I can't open pdf files at the moment (now running Windows 7). I was having problems with Acrobat reader, and while trying to put it right I unintentionally clicked on Windows media centre for 'always use this program to open this sort of file'. I want to use Acrobat. I've tried Control panel, but it doesn't seem to have a Change or Repair button. Any ideas, please?

[tearinghair]

Please will somebody just tell me how to download Acrobat reader? It seems to be telling me that it's doing it, then Norton Security tells me installation is blocked... I need it today! I'm trying hard not to throw my toys out of the pram (pathetic for a 67-year old, but there you are) but the alternative is crying....then I'd have to change my name to tears instead of tearing.

[ChuckFickens]

I'll add my vote to forget about adobe reader and install foxit.

You really won't notice any difference apart from it will work and will be quicker than adobe reader.

Both are just PDF readers, and as such they are not programs you actually use for anything other than viewing PDF files, saying you can't cope with a different PDF reader is a little like saying you can only watch the news on one TV, the content is the same regardless of which reader you use.

Adobe is bloated beyond belief

[tearinghair]

From the website from which I want to download:'to read and print pdf files you will need Acrobat reader which can be downloaded free form here'. clicking on 'here' lead me to the same screens I've had already.
foxit sounds as if it's linked with Firefox, which I don't have either.

I repeat - I understand what you're all saying, but I do want to stick with IE and Adobe. PLEASE can someone help with that problem and not offer alternative solutions? I promise never to bother you again.

[AB Editor]

Here is the Foxit link:

http://cdn01.foxitsof...eader43_enu_Setup.exe

If Norton pops up about FoxIt, click "allow" or similar.

Foxit will ask you to set it as a default PDF reader, click "yes" or similar.

You'll be able to open your pdf's TODAY and, if you really don't like it, you can change back when you have the luxury of time.

Spare Ed

[AB Editor]

Foxit & Firefox are different things, they're not linked.

When it comes to installing adobe again, and Norton pops up, let the program install itself. Equally, disabling Norton (for the time being) might be a good idea if it is getting in the way .

Spare

[MarkRae]

Lots of websites say that, or similar. What they mean is they you need a PDF reader to read PDF documents, not specifically Adobe. Trust me - YOU DO NOT NEED ADOBE READER!!!

Foxit has nothing whatsoever to do with FireFox.

[AB Editor]

Also, to throw a spanner amongst the pigeons, if you're using IE8 you should be able to open PDF's in the browser itself (rather than saving to your computer).

All the best

Spare Ed

[tearinghair]

re your last answer, spare ed - how? I've lost every vestige of confidence I have now.
Have had a good cry, have installed foxit and still no joy. Would someone like to follow this process and see what I should be doing, please?
I'm trying to download Great Fun Quiz 59 from the Great Brain Quiz site (no comments, PLEASE). When I click on the download here, all I get is a blank. So it won't open in foxit?

[AB Editor]

Right click the "here" on the page

Choose "save target as"

Choose somewhere to save it on your computer

Wait for it to download

Once downloaded, find it on your computer

Right-click it

Click open with


Now, questions:

Is Foxit there?
Is there a search bar?

[tearinghair]

OK, thank you, Spare Ed. It's that right-click that gets me every time! Thank you for your help.

BUT I still don't know why I can't download Adobe Acrobat; just once in a while it would be nice to have a simple answer to a simple question instead of having the experts - whose expertise I respect and am constantly amazed at - tell the questioner why he/she shouldn't need to ask that question...

[Fitzer]

The thing is there may be many reasons why something doesn't work on your computer and without being in front of it there is very little one can do to diagnose a problem, it's bad enough when I'm trying to help a user on the phone. People who know about computers (and I'm not including myself in that) often don't like what they see as bloated, inefficient software and will try to help people to help themselves by installing more efficient or better apps, especially when the alternative is an extremely slow (due to the wait time for responses) exchange of postings. I know it can be frustrating but as you acknowledge, beggars can't be choosers when it comes to free support :-) Glad you got it sorted in the end.

[tearinghair]

Fair enough, Fitzer. I don't doubt that everyone has the best of motives. But I do read this section quite regularly, and today was the first time I had seen any reference to Adobe Acrobat being unsatisfactory. IE and Norton Security (in the past, anyway), certainly, but not Adobe. So I was surprised.