How to read a PDF document that won't "open" online
by Keith E. Risler

If you cannot open a PDF document (file) online in your web browser for any reason, follow this repair procedure exactly. 

First, obtain (and then install) the latest Adobe Reader version for your operating system free at:
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html 

The PDF "open" problem has several causes, most related to the growing incompatibility of computer OS installations and their varying levels of OS updates, relative to new browsers now commonly in use. This solution sets the Adobe Reader application (also called "Adobe Acrobat Reader") so that a PDF found online is loaded into Reader and not into your browser. This procedure shows the menu sequence used by Adobe Reader 6 and 7; earlier versions may have the "Display PDF in browser" option in a different menu location:

1. In Adobe Reader 6 or 7, look at the top menu bar and select Edit-Preferences-Internet in turn as the various menu Windows open up for selection;
   
2. Uncheck the option in the Internet sub-menu that says "Display PDF in browser".
   
3. Close the menus, and unload Reader if desired.

The next time you "open" a PDF file online by clicking on its hyperlink, the computer will load the PDF into Adobe Reader instead of the browser, and the problem should no longer be in evidence.

If the above procedure fails to correct your PDF "open" problem, then you must first download each PDF to your hard drive (noting the folder you downloaded it to), and then open the PDF from within Adobe Reader.

NEED MORE HELP? Try Adobe's online user forums...
Important note: No support is available for this tip. Please do not call or email questions in this regard. Adobe maintains user forums on its web site (http://www.adobe.com/support/forums/main.html) that you may access without fee as an Acrobat Reader user.

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