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Tech help: Using Acrobat Reader

First, make sure you have the FREE Adobe Acrobat Reader, which you can download from this site or at the bottom left of the Adobe home page. This is the only way to access the .pdf files. If you have an old version, you'll get much better results with the newest one.

http://www.adobe.com/

Files in Adobe Acrobat's Portable Document Format (.pdf) allow you to print out pages that look exactly as the designer intended no matter what computer or software you're using. With the free Acrobat Reader, you can view these files online. Then, after downloading them to your hard drive, you'll be able to print and use them.

Frequently asked technical questions ... and the answers!

Like all software, Acrobat has its quirks. But it's an extremely useful tool and worth the time to get it working. Here are some fixes discovered and shared by others.

Q: I can't save the .pdf files ... or ... They're saved but they won't open from my hard drive ... or ... They open but there's nothing there.

A: If you're opening the file online, then using your browser's "Save" or "Save As" function, they may not always save completely. Instead, on a PC, right click on the link to download to your hard drive directly. On a Mac, click-and-hold. Using either computer, choose the "Save" function that appears when you click as instructed.

Q: I can't print the .pdf files ... or ... They print but they run off the edges of the page ... or ... Parts of the page don't print.

A: There are several things to check here:

• First, make sure you're using the "print" command in Acrobat Reader — not the one on your browser.
• Adobe says there are known problems with the HP100C printers and with Apple Laserwriters.
• Make sure you are downloading the document properly. Follow the directions exactly!
• If the documents print, but seem too big, check your print dialogue box (where you give the printer instructions when you hit the "print" command inside Acrobat Reader) for a "shrink to fit" or "print to fit" line and make sure the box is checked. (And if the documents seem too small for the pages, make sure that box is not checked!)
• Check the website of your printer manufacturer to see if they offer an updated printer driver. If so, download and install it. (This is often the solution.)
• If parts of the page still do not print while others do, try downloading an updated version (4.0) of Acrobat Reader at www.adobe.com.

Q: When I try to print .pdf files, they print mostly OK, but some of the type is jumbled so some letters print on top of other letters, and some of the spacing is off.

A: If you're using a Windows computer ...

• After you click on "Print," but before you click on "OK," click on "Properties."
• Then click on "Print Quality."
• Then in the "Text Mode" section, click on "True Type as Bit Maps." Then click on "OK."
• Finally click on "OK" to print the document.

If this corrects the problem for you, you'll need to adjust these settings each time you start Adobe Reader. (Your computer won't remember them.)

 

This is the extent of our technical know-how. If you don't find your answer here, please consult the help desk at www.adobe.com.