Why can't I download PDF files?

Hi all,

I hope someone out there can shed some light on why my IE6 does not 'see' PDF files on the internet?

I have an XP Pro setup and don't have any problems with PDF files that are already in the machine so I am guessing it must be a browser problem. I have checked every setting I can think of including file association and can see nothing that appears to be relevant.

When clicking to a PDF document in IE6 I get what looks to be a picture placeholder and nothing else.

I thought I would try Firefox 1.0 to get around the problem, and that simply pretends that PDF files do not exist... So maybe it is not IE6's fault?

Please help me to save what hair I have left!

Regards,
Gizmo

 

Gizmo--Forgive me. I am about to sign off so cannot give details, but I have had similar experiences as you. To display .pdf files in the IE browser, you need to allow ActiveX controls to run. (IE Tools|Internet Options|Security tab|Custom Level| "Run ActiveX controls and plugins" needs to be at Enable or Prompt.) There is also a setting in Adobe Reader to allow reading in the browser. Look under Options or something like that. (Sorry, do not have the time now to give precise directions.)
However, this is not necessary if you download the .pdf file. It will open after being downloaded without regard to your ActiveX settings.

 

Thanks WelshJim for your speedy response.

Alas, on checking the ActiveX and Acrobat 6 settings - they are already set to either allow or prompt as you suggested.

However, the save target ploy worked, and I was able to download the 'non-existant' PDF file, thats better than nothing!

But as the same problem seems to affect IE6 and Firefox 1.0, I can't help wondering if it is a windows problem? Yes I did install SP2 and am still trying to deal with the fallout ever since.

Regards,
Gizmo

 

Gizmo--Have more time today.
Open Adobe Reader. Click Edit|Preferences|Internet (left hand margin)| check the first three boxes starting with "Display PDF in Browser ". Now, combined with permission to run ActiveX, you should be able to open a .pdf in the browser by clicking its link.

 

PeteC & WelshJim,

Many thanks for your help. You got close enough to get me looking in the right place and it is sorted.

For anyone interested, I figured it could not be the fault of IE6 or Firefox and suspected a SP2 foul up.

But when I started looking at the options in Acrobat 6 reader, I checked the settings and found two of the three mentioned by WelshJim were checked and one (2nd) was not, so I checked it and tried again. - Nothing!

So I went back to open Acrobat and a box popped up saying the browser reading option was disabled - would I like it back? Yes please! - back to IE6 - Nothing - back to Acrobat - would I like to enable etc., round in circles.

Then I remembered! about three weeks ago Adobe said an update was available and I installed it - at the end of the installation it said it had failed.

Then I forgot all about that. So I uninstalled Acroreader and downloaded a fresh copy and installed it - Bingo - End of problem.

Why did not think of that before embarrasses me, but thanks to you guys, we are go again.

Regards
Gizmo

 

Gizmo--Thanks for posting back. Glad to hear the good results.
Whenever I open a .pdf, Adobe Reader always wants access to the internet and my firewall asks me if will permit. On the rare occasion that I say "Yes" it turns out Adobe wants to download some piece of trial software. Then I finally say "No ".