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PDF in Adobe Reader

13 years ago

I recently subscribed to my local newspaper's e-Edition. When I pull it up, I get an error message in Adobe Reader which says... File does not begin with '%PDF-'.

I have Vista 64 bit, Adobe Reader 8.

A while back Kim Komando warned that there were security issues in Adobe Reader and I changed some settings. But I don't remember just what they were.

However I am able to bring up PDF's in my banking web sites successfully.

Can you help me?

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Comments (13)

zep516
13 years ago
I'd update the Adobe reader program to 10. It's the most current version. Running old versions of Adobe can be somewhat risky.

That may help the issue you're having too.

Here is a link that might be useful: Adobe reader 10
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
13 years ago
Kim is right and because of those problems with Adobe I no longer have it on any of my machines, I removed it and instead use the free and much less bloated PDF xchange, or another good free option is Sumatra

PDF-XChange Viewer 2.5.193

* Sumatra PDF Viewer 1.3
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I just wanted to update my post that my computer is back to norm. The PDF issue was solved using the download Raven suggested and works fine. Still can't open PDFs w/ Adobe Reader, but the other program does the job and evidently my clients can open them via email as well which was the important part. The jumping cursor issue was quite baffling. After doing many days of research, I found that the issue goes back to the early 2000s on all kinds of 'puters. I couldn't type anything without the damn cursor jumping around constantly and inserting text where it didn't belong. BUT, finally, it dawned on my when I did my OS re-install and downloaded the touchpad mouse driver (though I use an external one via the USB), I didn't choose that I had a 32bit system. It had automatically loaded the 64bit driver which was apparently causing the issue. Duh!! It took me 2 weeks to figure it out, but I did. No jumping cursor and no more crashing computer. She's quite speedy now. I appreciate everyone's help.
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personally I have used all you mentioned, since there have been so many security issues coming up with adobe many people are moving away from it, it is also quite bloated, foxit is a great product but it too has run into some of the security issues, I currently use pdf-xchange on all my computers, it is a very light weight simple to use program and has not had the same security problems. Often times the program that is less popular does not attract the attention of the bad guys so they don't bother going after it. Adobe is by far the most well known and is on most pc's. The choice is up to you, try them out and see what you like. I have removed adobe reader from mine and now just keep the pdf-xchange. PDF-XCHANGE VIEWER personal preference is always best so try and choose. If you do keep adobe on your pc you must continue to do all the security updates they put out for it even if you do not use it they are quite serious exploits and you do not want that open hole in your system. Using the secunia tool to see what needs updates on your system is always a good idea.
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zep516
13 years ago
Yep, that's probably the best way to go following raven's excellent advice.
User
Original Author
13 years ago
Thank you all for your help. I think I will do just that and install one of these others.

Again Thanks! Janice
DA_Mccoy
13 years ago
AR can be an absolute monster to remove. A free application called REVO is regularly recommended here for uninstalling. I would use it in the Advanced Mode.

It first creates a restore point, uses the target application's uninstaller, and then searches the drive and registry for leftovers. With AR don't be surprised if there are many. You will have an option as to whether or not to delete the findings. There is no backup so the choice will be yours and lasting. Personally I have never had a regret with anything I have removed which has been identified by REVO, nor do I recall any postings either.

DA
azinoh
13 years ago
Maybe AR is bloated...I wouldn't know. It surprises me that so many people complain about it. I've had it for years on two different machines and it hasn't caused me any problem yet. Maybe I'm just lucky. Sometimes, I will get an update which includes icons on the desktop that I have no use for so I just bury them my junk folder and forget about them.
mike_kaiser_gw
13 years ago
I've used Acrobat for many years on any number of computers and operating systems and never had a problem.

I would suggest updating to the latest, greatest version of Acrobat or using one of the aftermarket products instead.
User
Original Author
13 years ago
I have been reading how insecure Adobe Reader was. I don't need any problems. I did update to Adobe 10 on my 64 bit computer as PDF Exchange viewer didn't support 64 bit.
On my desktop, I did install the PDF Exchange viewer and it works great.

So thanks for all the help, I appreciated it.
mike_kaiser_gw
13 years ago
Don't think for a second that any of the aftermarket readers are "more secure." They likely have just as many flaws in their code as Adobe that could be exploited by a malicious individual. The difference is that no one is looking for the flaws.

That's not to say using an aftermarket viewer won't be beneficial to the end user.
bob414
13 years ago
PDF-XChange Viewer 2.5.193 works fine on my 64 bit HP laptop.
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
13 years ago
Yes the latest versions of PDF xchange are 64bit compatible.
here is the compatibility view on the MS page
PDF XChange Viewer
DA_Mccoy
13 years ago
With AR being 46.29MB in size versus for example FoxIt Reader at 7.51MB, it is not hard for the general .pdf user to conclude AR is bloated. The same conclusion will be reached if a user compares the left over file and registry entry reports when using REVO.

DA
mikie_gw
13 years ago
3.18MB for Sumatra.
Super simple pdf reader program that seems to work just fine.

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