The Steel Guitar Forum

Anytime I try to open a .pdf file, my computer seems to lockup and the only way out is to shut it down and reboot. Sometimes on the second or third try after rebooting, I'm able to read the file. I've got Windows XP and the current Adobe Acrobat software downloaded. Any ideas? Thanks....

Sometimes, when the Adobe reader starts it will look like it's locked up but what it's really doing is checking for an update. After what seems like an extended period it will display the pdf file.

If that's not the case, uninstall the Adobe PDF reader, restart Windows then download and install the latest version.

Why not try FOXIT reader - it's much smaller than Adobe and doesn't put so much **** on your system.

I'm not familiar with "foxit reader", will it open a PDF file?

I had a similar problem with Acrobat Reader hanging under Windows XP. In my case it was caused by temporary files left around by Acrobat Reader.

The problem and solution is described here: http://torque.oncloud8.com/archives/000151.html

In the description he deletes the files from the directory "C:\Documents and Settings\torque\Local Settings\Temp". You have to replace "torque" in the directory name with your login name.

Sometimes Acrobat opens an update window behind the open window. The update window is waiting for input, at the foreground window won't respond.

You can usually use Alt+tab to get to the update window and dismiss it.

Adobe's had this bug for nearly a decade now. I really wish they'd fix it.

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<img align=left src="http://b0b.com/b0bxicon.gif" border="0"><small> Bobby Lee</small>
-b0b- <small> quasar@b0b.com </small>
System Administrator <span style="text-align: right; font-size: 0.75em; font-variant: small-caps">
My Blog</span><div style="display:none">

Thanks for all of the input, guys...I'm constantly amazed at the knowledge out there in pedal steel land (it often saves me the embarrassment of having to ask a middle schooler for computer advice!). I did find a monster temp file under Documents and Settings and deleted it (couldn't find any "torque" name on it Gary, but this may be the one you were talking about). I routinely delete "temporary internet files" but didn't know this particular temp file existed. I tried to view a .pdf file after the big purge and it worked so maybe the problem is solved.

<SMALL>(couldn't find any "torque" name on it</SMALL>

"Torque" refers to the other person's login identity, which should have been exemplified instead of posted as is. You should substitute that name with your own login ID name.

The path to your personal files is under C:\Documents and Settings, where there will be a folder with your login name. Your own My Documents folder is inside it, plus your Temp and Temporary Internet Files and cookies, plus your Outlook Express Databases and most other personal account settings.

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Bob "Wiz" Feinberg
Moderator of the SGF Computers Forum
<small>Visit my Wiztunes Steel Guitar website at: http://www.wiztunes.com/
or my computer troubleshooting website: Wizcrafts Computer Services,
or my Webmaster Services webpage. Get Firefox Here.
Learn about current computer virus and security threats here.
Read Wiz's Blog for security news and update notices. My FAQs.</small>

I just checked that temp folder. I can't believe the amount of stuff in there. Can I delete all of it?

Hey Bill,
I deleted mine several days ago (huge file!) and everything seems to running fine.

Bill asked: "I just checked that temp folder. I can't believe the amount of stuff in there. Can I delete all of it?"

Yes. Empty the contents of your Local Settings > Temp directory. Also empty your Temporary Internet Files, in the same directory.

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Bob "Wiz" Feinberg
Moderator of the SGF Computers Forum
<small>Visit my Wiztunes Steel Guitar website at: http://www.wiztunes.com/
or my computer troubleshooting website: Wizcrafts Computer Services,
or my Webmaster Services webpage. Get Firefox Here.
Learn about current computer virus and security threats here.
Read Wiz's Blog for security news and update notices. My FAQs.</small>