Issues With PDF Files

When working with PDF files, difficulties can sometimes occur. Please see below for common solutions or workarounds.

1. If you click on the PDF link and a "Save Document" window appears, the Adobe Acrobat or Acrobat Reader software is not installed on your computer or you have an old version of the software.

2. If you are able to view most PDF files, but are having difficulty with a particular file, it is possible that the Acrobat Reader plug-in in your Web browser is misinterpreting the PDF file or there is not enough memory to display it. The best way to view a PDF file is to download it to your computer, then read or print it from your hard drive.

3. To download a PDF file to your computer, right-click on the PDF link and select "Save Target As..." (Explorer) or "Save Link As..." (Netscape). When prompted, identify the location and file name where you want to save the PDF file. You can then open the PDF file directly from your hard drive, using Adobe Acrobat or Acrobat Reader.

4. Netscape "Internal Error" message: Netscape users will occasionally get an "internal error" message when trying to load a PDF file. Try either clicking the "reload" button or resizing your browser window and clicking the "reload" button. If you are still having trouble or if you can only see a blank screen, try downloading the PDF file directly to your computer as described in #3, then open the document from your hard drive.

5. Explorer 5.0 and Acrobat Reader: Internet Explorer 5.0 users might have a problem with PDF pages being blank in the browser window. Try downloading the PDF file directly to your computer as described in #3, then open the document from your hard drive.

1. If you can view a PDF file but are having trouble printing it, download and save the file to your computer as described in #3, above.

2. If you still have problems when printing the PDF file from your hard drive, deselect the "Download fonts once" check box in the "Print" dialogue box when printing, or try printing the PDF file on another printer.

3. Make sure you are using the most current driver for your printer. Using an outdated printer driver can cause quite a few PDF problems. Most printer manufacturers post the most current printer drivers on their Web sites for free download.

4. If the PDF file still will not print, try printing a different PDF file. If the different PDF file will print, try printing the original PDF either a few pages or one page at a time. Printing the PDF file one page at a time will often zero in on the problem page.

5. Internet Explorer 5.0 users might also have a problem downloading PDF files because the security level of the Web browser is too low. To change the security setup in Internet Explorer, click on "View" on the main toolbar and then on "Internet Options". Click on the "Security" tab, then click on the "Low (Do not warn before running potentially damaging content)" option. You should now be able to download PDF file. If you need to, switch the security back to the original setting, after downloading the file.

6. If you still cannot print any or all pages of only one PDF file, that file may be damaged. Please contact alma-memos@nrao.edu and let us know which PDF file is damaged.