webpage wont open pdf or open a download window when clicked

I have a client who cannot open a pdf document when clicking a link in IE8, Chrome or Firefox. Further, when they click on a link to download a file (i.e. download Firefox) the download window wont open, they have to click on the link to manually download.

What does happen is it appears to load and the "Done" notice is in the lower left corner of the window but the document does not load. When I right click to view source I do not get a menu and CTRL U in Firefox does not open a source code page

What setting might be wrong in the computer?
Thanks for any thoughts.

 

Hi Pete:

Don't know - will check

XP Home

Will try

- Yes but, this is not browser specific

I should mention that this started all of a sudden without notice. I suspose that I could try a system restore

Will have to get back to you tomorrow

 

Update

Adobe link is in IE
XP Home - SP3 _ Updated
Installed Acrobat to latest

This is not browser specific - finding that email attachments dont open either

Thinking that it is a Windows issue, not Acrobat

Any further thoughts appreciated

 

Maybe Windows is confused about the association. Check if Adobe is the default application for "PDF" files.

If everything fails, uninstall Reader, reboot & then install it again.

 

Outlook Express - Security settings are set to allow such

 

I'm thinking you are correct. That will be tomorrows exercise - will advise, thanks

 

Well, I tried system restore and got the message "your computer cannot be restored ". Tried a few different restore points with the same results.

Hoping to avoid a reinstall but it isn't looking good at this point.

Any further thoughts welcomed, thanks