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Cannot open pdf files

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2011-03-07 15:09:10
phatuesday
Registered: Mar 7 2011
Posts: 1
Answered

One of my friends is using Acrobat 4 (yes, 4) and Reader 5.1 and says he cannot open pdf files sent to him by me and others. I am using Acrobat 7, but do not know at this time what version(s) others may be using that are sending pdf's to him that he cannot open. Is it simply a matter of the version he is using, or.... ? Thanks!

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2011-03-08 09:37:27
#1
UVSAR
Expert
Registered: Oct 29 2008
Posts: 1358
Accepted Answer
Given what versions he has, he will only be able to open files saved into PDF/1.4 (Reader) or PDF/1.3 (Acrobat) formats - most of the files produced by current software are at least two versions later than that, but you can force Acrobat to save to an old version by using the Save As > Optimized PDF and pressing the Settings button.The simple fix is to install Adobe Reader X, but co-installing it with Acrobat 4 isn't something we've tested so there are no guarantees it'll work seamlessly. Acrobat and Reader work together provided both are relatively-recent, but A4 is so far back in time you're the first person I've encountered who talks about using it.

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2011-03-08 11:52:39
#2
Merlin
Acrobat 9ExpertTeam
Registered: Mar 1 2006
Posts: 766
Acrobat (and Reader) 5 and older can't open a file simply-saved or saved-as using Acrobat 9 or X.
Using Acrobat 9 and X, PDFs must be saved using "Optimized PDF", as UVSAR said.

abracadabraPDF.net

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2011-03-26 16:43:49
#3
carmenchi
Registered: Mar 26 2011
Posts: 1
After install Adobe Reader X in XP sp3 I cannot open pdf files. A windows reads that require Acrobat Reader installation. It is installed Why did not recognize it?

carmenchi

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2011-05-09 03:24:45
#4
Pern Dragonrider
Registered: May 9 2011
Posts: 1
I am having the same problem. I have upgraded to the latest version of the reader but it will still not open any new pdf files for me such as phone bills, insurance documents etc. Has anyone any suggestions. I am still on WIndows XP with Internet explorer 8 ( and added upgrades to those).
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