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Business Travel 911 November 2007 • Vol.5 Issue 11 Page(s) 68 in print issue |
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Can’t Open A PDF File |
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 Adobe Reader, free software that lets you open and print PDF files, comes installed on many new PCs. More than 500 million copies of Adobe Reader have been distributed since the program’s initial launch in 1993. But despite this, it’s possible, but not likely, that one would have a PDF file but no way of viewing it. If for some reason you find yourself in this predicament, there are a few options for installing Adobe Reader on your PC. by Brian Weed  Install Adobe Reader If you have an Internet connection, downloading Adobe Reader is the easiest way to get that PDF file on your screen. You can download the latest version of Adobe Reader by visiting www.adobe.com. For Step 1 in the download process, choose your Language, Platform, and Connection speed. Next, choose the appropriate options in Step 2 and then click Continue. On the next page, click Download to begin the installation. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the installation. Downloading Reader directly from Adobe ensures that you will obtain the latest patches and updates with the product. As with any download, it is a good idea to make sure an antivirus checker is installed and running to prevent the accidental download of malware such as viruses and worms. To check this, browse the Start menu for an installed antivirus program, such as Symantec’s Norton AntiVirus or McAfee’s VirusScan. Make sure it is running and has the latest virus definitions loaded before downloading any files. If you don’t have an Internet connection, check an installation CD for the program. Many software publishers include a version of Adobe Reader on installation CDs for purposes of viewing that software’s documentation. Work Around Installation Challenges Because many IT departments block software installation on company computers, it may be a challenge to load Adobe Reader. The reason you won’t be able to install most programs is likely because the IT department has set a group policy blocking them. When this is the case, your best option is to contact a system administrator about installing any new programs. Many IT departments have a VPN (virtual private network) or other external networking utility that allows you to connect to the office’s network if you have an Internet connection. Once connected to the network, the administrator can modify the group policies to allow software installations. You can also attempt to disable the program or service that prevents installations on your own. Before doing this, however, be sure to talk to your IT department. Disabling services running on your notebook can cause problems or could possibly compromise your organization's data security. You can disable programs and services under the Processes tab in Task Manager. (The CTRL-ALT-DELETE combination opens Task Manager.) Select the program or service you want to disable and then click End Process or Stop Service. Plan Ahead
Accessing that PDF file immediately can be vital. Before you head out on the road, be sure you have the current versions of Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader installed, as well as any patches or updates. Also, get a phone number for an IT administrator whom you can contact if you have trouble. Finally, bring portable media such as blank CDs and flash drives; they can come in handy when trying to transfer information between notebooks. |
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