I don't know why you're getting that message. You don't need to buy Adobe Acrobat to read a PDF document. You can just download the free Adobe Reader. The versions of Adobe Acrobat that you have to pay for are for those who want to create fancy PDF documents. Also, there are many other free PDF readers available. The one I prefer and use is Foxit Reader, which would works at least as well as Adobe Reader and has a program only about 1/10 the size. Here is a link that might be useful: Foxit

Thanks Mikie, I appreciate the link and answer. She seems to have some aversion to using Firefox, though I can't figure why. I tried to explain how easy it is to use, the explanations for what things are and how to use them are understandable, but she won't listen, and installed a different browser. Don't know why she asks for advice then refuses to take it. I gave her lots of options for browser, malware detection, virus detection, and she still managed to get a bunch of crap on her new computer. Don't understand how. The Norton is a 90day pre-install. I think I'm going to give up on the advice. I have a new computer also, and have not downloaded crapware doing installs of this that and the other. I guess I know a little more and understand more of what I do know. Thanks again for the help.

If they are in .pdf form, See link for additional measures you can take, or uninstall adobe and install Foxit reader. Here is a link that might be useful: adobe-problems

Thanks for the responses and help. I am not using antivirus and removed the the antivirus before my Adobe problems. I checked/installed updates to Windows and IE. I went to Adobe.com and installed/reinstalled. This morning the issues seem partly fixed. When I am on a web page, such as Yahoo, whether in IE or FF, some of the boxes display and some don't. If I go to a web page page, like Yahoo's tech page, that has mostly boxes that have videos in them, I see the text in the boxes but they are otherwise blank. If I click on the box a video then starts playing. I know this isn't how it's supposed to work, but it's better than it was yesterday. Maybe if I wait till the next Adobe or Windows update it will sort itself out? Thanks for the suggestions. If you think of anything please let me know. I think I will put this laptop away for a week or two and use my Win7 laptop instead. I'll check on updates the next time I get it out and hope for the best.