Unable to open pdf files by double-click

[Guest marc]

Somehow or other I am now unable to open pdf files by double clicking on

them from explorer - I get the message 'windows cannot open the specified

device, path or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access

them'.

 

I get this message on every pdf file whether on my hard drive (both

partitions) or a product cd no matter what the permissions are.

 

However:

- pdf files are associated with reader 8.1.0

- I am logged on as administrator

- the files open ok by selecting adobe reader from the 'open with' option

- the files open ok from within adobe reader

- the files have full administrator and system permissions

 

Some of the pdf files were transferred from another computer and their

permissions have a 'full control' permission entry starting s-5-1-21 etc

along with the other usual administrator and system permissions. Others pdfs

have been acquired 'normally' and have typical permissions, eg the pdf file

in the Reader directory itself placed there as part of the Reader

installation.

 

However I can't open any pdf files by double clicking on them regardless of

what their permissions are or where the files are located. I experimented

changing ownership and permissions but it didn't make any difference.

 

Other file types are ok

 

Any ideas what's causing this and how to fix?

 

tia

 

Marc

[Guest Newbie Coder]

Re: Unable to open pdf files by double-click

 

Marc,

 

Right-click a PDF & choose OPEN WITH

Click BROWSE & locate the AcroRd32.exe file typically in 'C:\Program

Files\Adobe\Reader 8.0\Reader'

Tick the box to always use this program & that should change all the references

so you can then just double click on these files from now on

 

NOTE: do not just select from the 'open with' list as you won't be able to tick

the always use this program... Click the browse button

 

--

Newbie Coder

(It's just a name)

 

 

 

"marc" <bogus@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote in message

news:OmaiJ248HHA.600@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

> Somehow or other I am now unable to open pdf files by double clicking on

> them from explorer - I get the message 'windows cannot open the specified

> device, path or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access

> them'.

>

> I get this message on every pdf file whether on my hard drive (both

> partitions) or a product cd no matter what the permissions are.

>

> However:

> - pdf files are associated with reader 8.1.0

> - I am logged on as administrator

> - the files open ok by selecting adobe reader from the 'open with' option

> - the files open ok from within adobe reader

> - the files have full administrator and system permissions

>

> Some of the pdf files were transferred from another computer and their

> permissions have a 'full control' permission entry starting s-5-1-21 etc

> along with the other usual administrator and system permissions. Others pdfs

> have been acquired 'normally' and have typical permissions, eg the pdf file

> in the Reader directory itself placed there as part of the Reader

> installation.

>

> However I can't open any pdf files by double clicking on them regardless of

> what their permissions are or where the files are located. I experimented

> changing ownership and permissions but it didn't make any difference.

>

> Other file types are ok

>

> Any ideas what's causing this and how to fix?

>

> tia

>

> Marc

>

>

>

>

[Guest marc]

Re: Unable to open pdf files by double-click

 

Didn't make any difference - still getting same error message.

 

Marc

 

 

"Newbie Coder" <newbiecoder@spammeplease.com> wrote in message

news:%23NLcYx58HHA.5360@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

> Marc,

>

> Right-click a PDF & choose OPEN WITH

> Click BROWSE & locate the AcroRd32.exe file typically in 'C:\Program

> Files\Adobe\Reader 8.0\Reader'

> Tick the box to always use this program & that should change all the

> references

> so you can then just double click on these files from now on

>

> NOTE: do not just select from the 'open with' list as you won't be able to

> tick

> the always use this program... Click the browse button

>

> --

> Newbie Coder

> (It's just a name)

>

>

>

> "marc" <bogus@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote in message

> news:OmaiJ248HHA.600@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

>> Somehow or other I am now unable to open pdf files by double clicking on

>> them from explorer - I get the message 'windows cannot open the specified

>> device, path or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to

>> access

>> them'.

>>

>> I get this message on every pdf file whether on my hard drive (both

>> partitions) or a product cd no matter what the permissions are.

>>

>> However:

>> - pdf files are associated with reader 8.1.0

>> - I am logged on as administrator

>> - the files open ok by selecting adobe reader from the 'open with' option

>> - the files open ok from within adobe reader

>> - the files have full administrator and system permissions

>>

>> Some of the pdf files were transferred from another computer and their

>> permissions have a 'full control' permission entry starting s-5-1-21 etc

>> along with the other usual administrator and system permissions. Others

>> pdfs

>> have been acquired 'normally' and have typical permissions, eg the pdf

>> file

>> in the Reader directory itself placed there as part of the Reader

>> installation.

>>

>> However I can't open any pdf files by double clicking on them regardless

>> of

>> what their permissions are or where the files are located. I experimented

>> changing ownership and permissions but it didn't make any difference.

>>

>> Other file types are ok

>>

>> Any ideas what's causing this and how to fix?

>>

>> tia

>>

>> Marc

>>

>>

>>

>>

>

>

[Guest Nightowl]

Re: Unable to open pdf files by double-click

 

Hi marc

 

something else to try:

 

From My Computer | any folder window, or Explorer, go to Tools | Folder

Options | File Types tab. Scroll down to PDF, click once to highlight it

and click the Advanced button.

 

In the window that pops up, highlight "open" if it isn't already

selected, then click the Edit button on the right. In the editing

window, uncheck "Use DDE", then OK your way out.

 

If any of the settings were wrong this should force Adobe Reader to

reset them next time you open a document.

 

Please let us know how it goes :-)

 

 

marc <bogus@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote on Mon, 10 Sep 2007:

>Didn't make any difference - still getting same error message.

>

>Marc

>

>

>"Newbie Coder" <newbiecoder@spammeplease.com> wrote in message

>news:%23NLcYx58HHA.5360@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>> Marc,

>>

>> Right-click a PDF & choose OPEN WITH

>> Click BROWSE & locate the AcroRd32.exe file typically in 'C:\Program

>> Files\Adobe\Reader 8.0\Reader'

>> Tick the box to always use this program & that should change all the

>> references

>> so you can then just double click on these files from now on

>>

>> NOTE: do not just select from the 'open with' list as you won't be able to

>> tick

>> the always use this program... Click the browse button

>>

>> --

>> Newbie Coder

>> (It's just a name)

>>

>>

>>

>> "marc" <bogus@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote in message

>> news:OmaiJ248HHA.600@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

>>> Somehow or other I am now unable to open pdf files by double clicking on

>>> them from explorer - I get the message 'windows cannot open the specified

>>> device, path or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to

>>> access

>>> them'.

>>>

>>> I get this message on every pdf file whether on my hard drive (both

>>> partitions) or a product cd no matter what the permissions are.

>>>

>>> However:

>>> - pdf files are associated with reader 8.1.0

>>> - I am logged on as administrator

>>> - the files open ok by selecting adobe reader from the 'open with' option

>>> - the files open ok from within adobe reader

>>> - the files have full administrator and system permissions

>>>

>>> Some of the pdf files were transferred from another computer and their

>>> permissions have a 'full control' permission entry starting s-5-1-21 etc

>>> along with the other usual administrator and system permissions. Others

>>> pdfs

>>> have been acquired 'normally' and have typical permissions, eg the pdf

>>> file

>>> in the Reader directory itself placed there as part of the Reader

>>> installation.

>>>

>>> However I can't open any pdf files by double clicking on them regardless

>>> of

>>> what their permissions are or where the files are located. I experimented

>>> changing ownership and permissions but it didn't make any difference.

>>>

>>> Other file types are ok

>>>

>>> Any ideas what's causing this and how to fix?

>>>

>>> tia

>>>

>>> Marc

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>

>>

>

>

 

--

Nightowl

[Guest marc]

Re: Unable to open pdf files by double-click

 

Tks for your input

 

I tried unchecking DDE but it doesn't stick - after I uncheck and ok out, I

go back and DDE is checked again.

 

So I uninstalled and reinstalled Reader to see if that would make any

difference and it has - now I can't even open a pdf via a right-click 'open

with' as I get the same error message as when I double-click. DDE still

reverts to checked after unchecking.

 

Can the DDE setting be unchecked via the Registry?

 

Marc

 

 

 

"Nightowl" <owl@[127.0.0.1]> wrote in message

news:IuvvISHABW5GFwoU@black.hole...

> Hi marc

>

> something else to try:

>

> From My Computer | any folder window, or Explorer, go to Tools | Folder

> Options | File Types tab. Scroll down to PDF, click once to highlight it

> and click the Advanced button.

>

> In the window that pops up, highlight "open" if it isn't already selected,

> then click the Edit button on the right. In the editing window, uncheck

> "Use DDE", then OK your way out.

>

> If any of the settings were wrong this should force Adobe Reader to reset

> them next time you open a document.

>

> Please let us know how it goes :-)

>

>

> marc <bogus@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote on Mon, 10 Sep 2007:

>

>>Didn't make any difference - still getting same error message.

>>

>>Marc

>>

>>

>>"Newbie Coder" <newbiecoder@spammeplease.com> wrote in message

>>news:%23NLcYx58HHA.5360@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>>> Marc,

>>>

>>> Right-click a PDF & choose OPEN WITH

>>> Click BROWSE & locate the AcroRd32.exe file typically in 'C:\Program

>>> Files\Adobe\Reader 8.0\Reader'

>>> Tick the box to always use this program & that should change all the

>>> references

>>> so you can then just double click on these files from now on

>>>

>>> NOTE: do not just select from the 'open with' list as you won't be able

>>> to

>>> tick

>>> the always use this program... Click the browse button

>>>

>>> --

>>> Newbie Coder

>>> (It's just a name)

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>> "marc" <bogus@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote in message

>>> news:OmaiJ248HHA.600@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

>>>> Somehow or other I am now unable to open pdf files by double clicking

>>>> on

>>>> them from explorer - I get the message 'windows cannot open the

>>>> specified

>>>> device, path or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to

>>>> access

>>>> them'.

>>>>

>>>> I get this message on every pdf file whether on my hard drive (both

>>>> partitions) or a product cd no matter what the permissions are.

>>>>

>>>> However:

>>>> - pdf files are associated with reader 8.1.0

>>>> - I am logged on as administrator

>>>> - the files open ok by selecting adobe reader from the 'open with'

>>>> option

>>>> - the files open ok from within adobe reader

>>>> - the files have full administrator and system permissions

>>>>

>>>> Some of the pdf files were transferred from another computer and their

>>>> permissions have a 'full control' permission entry starting s-5-1-21

>>>> etc

>>>> along with the other usual administrator and system permissions. Others

>>>> pdfs

>>>> have been acquired 'normally' and have typical permissions, eg the pdf

>>>> file

>>>> in the Reader directory itself placed there as part of the Reader

>>>> installation.

>>>>

>>>> However I can't open any pdf files by double clicking on them

>>>> regardless

>>>> of

>>>> what their permissions are or where the files are located. I

>>>> experimented

>>>> changing ownership and permissions but it didn't make any difference.

>>>>

>>>> Other file types are ok

>>>>

>>>> Any ideas what's causing this and how to fix?

>>>>

>>>> tia

>>>>

>>>> Marc

>>>>

>>>>

>>>>

>>>>

>>>

>>>

>>

>>

>

> --

> Nightowl

[Guest Unknown]

Re: Unable to open pdf files by double-click

 

FYI DDE is checked on my system and I have no problem opening PDF files.

Since you reinstalled reader, what is listed in file types now under PDF?

marc" <bogus@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote in message

news:%23SUm0288HHA.4420@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

> Tks for your input

>

> I tried unchecking DDE but it doesn't stick - after I uncheck and ok out,

> I go back and DDE is checked again.

>

> So I uninstalled and reinstalled Reader to see if that would make any

> difference and it has - now I can't even open a pdf via a right-click

> 'open with' as I get the same error message as when I double-click. DDE

> still reverts to checked after unchecking.

>

> Can the DDE setting be unchecked via the Registry?

>

> Marc

>

>

>

> "Nightowl" <owl@[127.0.0.1]> wrote in message

> news:IuvvISHABW5GFwoU@black.hole...

>> Hi marc

>>

>> something else to try:

>>

>> From My Computer | any folder window, or Explorer, go to Tools | Folder

>> Options | File Types tab. Scroll down to PDF, click once to highlight it

>> and click the Advanced button.

>>

>> In the window that pops up, highlight "open" if it isn't already

>> selected, then click the Edit button on the right. In the editing window,

>> uncheck "Use DDE", then OK your way out.

>>

>> If any of the settings were wrong this should force Adobe Reader to reset

>> them next time you open a document.

>>

>> Please let us know how it goes :-)

>>

>>

>> marc <bogus@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote on Mon, 10 Sep 2007:

>>

>>>Didn't make any difference - still getting same error message.

>>>

>>>Marc

>>>

>>>

>>>"Newbie Coder" <newbiecoder@spammeplease.com> wrote in message

>>>news:%23NLcYx58HHA.5360@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>>>> Marc,

>>>>

>>>> Right-click a PDF & choose OPEN WITH

>>>> Click BROWSE & locate the AcroRd32.exe file typically in 'C:\Program

>>>> Files\Adobe\Reader 8.0\Reader'

>>>> Tick the box to always use this program & that should change all the

>>>> references

>>>> so you can then just double click on these files from now on

>>>>

>>>> NOTE: do not just select from the 'open with' list as you won't be able

>>>> to

>>>> tick

>>>> the always use this program... Click the browse button

>>>>

>>>> --

>>>> Newbie Coder

>>>> (It's just a name)

>>>>

>>>>

>>>>

>>>> "marc" <bogus@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote in message

>>>> news:OmaiJ248HHA.600@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

>>>>> Somehow or other I am now unable to open pdf files by double clicking

>>>>> on

>>>>> them from explorer - I get the message 'windows cannot open the

>>>>> specified

>>>>> device, path or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to

>>>>> access

>>>>> them'.

>>>>>

>>>>> I get this message on every pdf file whether on my hard drive (both

>>>>> partitions) or a product cd no matter what the permissions are.

>>>>>

>>>>> However:

>>>>> - pdf files are associated with reader 8.1.0

>>>>> - I am logged on as administrator

>>>>> - the files open ok by selecting adobe reader from the 'open with'

>>>>> option

>>>>> - the files open ok from within adobe reader

>>>>> - the files have full administrator and system permissions

>>>>>

>>>>> Some of the pdf files were transferred from another computer and their

>>>>> permissions have a 'full control' permission entry starting s-5-1-21

>>>>> etc

>>>>> along with the other usual administrator and system permissions.

>>>>> Others

>>>>> pdfs

>>>>> have been acquired 'normally' and have typical permissions, eg the pdf

>>>>> file

>>>>> in the Reader directory itself placed there as part of the Reader

>>>>> installation.

>>>>>

>>>>> However I can't open any pdf files by double clicking on them

>>>>> regardless

>>>>> of

>>>>> what their permissions are or where the files are located. I

>>>>> experimented

>>>>> changing ownership and permissions but it didn't make any difference.

>>>>>

>>>>> Other file types are ok

>>>>>

>>>>> Any ideas what's causing this and how to fix?

>>>>>

>>>>> tia

>>>>>

>>>>> Marc

>>>>>

>>>>>

>>>>>

>>>>>

>>>>

>>>>

>>>

>>>

>>

>> --

>> Nightowl

>

>

[Guest Unknown]

Re: Unable to open pdf files by double-click

 

Also, what level of adobe acrobat reader did you install.

"marc" <bogus@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote in message

news:%23SUm0288HHA.4420@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

> Tks for your input

>

> I tried unchecking DDE but it doesn't stick - after I uncheck and ok out,

> I go back and DDE is checked again.

>

> So I uninstalled and reinstalled Reader to see if that would make any

> difference and it has - now I can't even open a pdf via a right-click

> 'open with' as I get the same error message as when I double-click. DDE

> still reverts to checked after unchecking.

>

> Can the DDE setting be unchecked via the Registry?

>

> Marc

>

>

>

> "Nightowl" <owl@[127.0.0.1]> wrote in message

> news:IuvvISHABW5GFwoU@black.hole...

>> Hi marc

>>

>> something else to try:

>>

>> From My Computer | any folder window, or Explorer, go to Tools | Folder

>> Options | File Types tab. Scroll down to PDF, click once to highlight it

>> and click the Advanced button.

>>

>> In the window that pops up, highlight "open" if it isn't already

>> selected, then click the Edit button on the right. In the editing window,

>> uncheck "Use DDE", then OK your way out.

>>

>> If any of the settings were wrong this should force Adobe Reader to reset

>> them next time you open a document.

>>

>> Please let us know how it goes :-)

>>

>>

>> marc <bogus@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote on Mon, 10 Sep 2007:

>>

>>>Didn't make any difference - still getting same error message.

>>>

>>>Marc

>>>

>>>

>>>"Newbie Coder" <newbiecoder@spammeplease.com> wrote in message

>>>news:%23NLcYx58HHA.5360@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>>>> Marc,

>>>>

>>>> Right-click a PDF & choose OPEN WITH

>>>> Click BROWSE & locate the AcroRd32.exe file typically in 'C:\Program

>>>> Files\Adobe\Reader 8.0\Reader'

>>>> Tick the box to always use this program & that should change all the

>>>> references

>>>> so you can then just double click on these files from now on

>>>>

>>>> NOTE: do not just select from the 'open with' list as you won't be able

>>>> to

>>>> tick

>>>> the always use this program... Click the browse button

>>>>

>>>> --

>>>> Newbie Coder

>>>> (It's just a name)

>>>>

>>>>

>>>>

>>>> "marc" <bogus@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote in message

>>>> news:OmaiJ248HHA.600@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

>>>>> Somehow or other I am now unable to open pdf files by double clicking

>>>>> on

>>>>> them from explorer - I get the message 'windows cannot open the

>>>>> specified

>>>>> device, path or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to

>>>>> access

>>>>> them'.

>>>>>

>>>>> I get this message on every pdf file whether on my hard drive (both

>>>>> partitions) or a product cd no matter what the permissions are.

>>>>>

>>>>> However:

>>>>> - pdf files are associated with reader 8.1.0

>>>>> - I am logged on as administrator

>>>>> - the files open ok by selecting adobe reader from the 'open with'

>>>>> option

>>>>> - the files open ok from within adobe reader

>>>>> - the files have full administrator and system permissions

>>>>>

>>>>> Some of the pdf files were transferred from another computer and their

>>>>> permissions have a 'full control' permission entry starting s-5-1-21

>>>>> etc

>>>>> along with the other usual administrator and system permissions.

>>>>> Others

>>>>> pdfs

>>>>> have been acquired 'normally' and have typical permissions, eg the pdf

>>>>> file

>>>>> in the Reader directory itself placed there as part of the Reader

>>>>> installation.

>>>>>

>>>>> However I can't open any pdf files by double clicking on them

>>>>> regardless

>>>>> of

>>>>> what their permissions are or where the files are located. I

>>>>> experimented

>>>>> changing ownership and permissions but it didn't make any difference.

>>>>>

>>>>> Other file types are ok

>>>>>

>>>>> Any ideas what's causing this and how to fix?

>>>>>

>>>>> tia

>>>>>

>>>>> Marc

>>>>>

>>>>>

>>>>>

>>>>>

>>>>

>>>>

>>>

>>>

>>

>> --

>> Nightowl

>

>

[Guest Nightowl]

Re: Unable to open pdf files by double-click

 

Hi marc

 

Yes, it's meant to come back. I suggested it as a long shot because

there is a similar bug with Firefox and HTTP files and unchecking Use

DDE forces the settings to be rewritten next time the app is run. Never

mind, it was worth a try.

 

Here's what I have in the dialog for "open", in case you want to check

your settings:

 

Action: open

Application used. .. "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader

8.0\Reader\AcroRd32.exe" "%1"

 

Use DDE: checked

DDE Message: blank

Application: AcroRd32

DDE Application Not Running: blank

Topic: System

 

 

 

marc <bogus@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote on Mon, 10 Sep 2007:

>Tks for your input

>

>I tried unchecking DDE but it doesn't stick - after I uncheck and ok out, I

>go back and DDE is checked again.

>

>So I uninstalled and reinstalled Reader to see if that would make any

>difference and it has - now I can't even open a pdf via a right-click 'open

>with' as I get the same error message as when I double-click. DDE still

>reverts to checked after unchecking.

>

>Can the DDE setting be unchecked via the Registry?

>

>Marc

>

>

>

>"Nightowl" <owl@[127.0.0.1]> wrote in message

>news:IuvvISHABW5GFwoU@black.hole...

>> Hi marc

>>

>> something else to try:

>>

>> From My Computer | any folder window, or Explorer, go to Tools | Folder

>> Options | File Types tab. Scroll down to PDF, click once to highlight it

>> and click the Advanced button.

>>

>> In the window that pops up, highlight "open" if it isn't already selected,

>> then click the Edit button on the right. In the editing window, uncheck

>> "Use DDE", then OK your way out.

>>

>> If any of the settings were wrong this should force Adobe Reader to reset

>> them next time you open a document.

>>

>> Please let us know how it goes :-)

>>

>>

>> marc <bogus@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote on Mon, 10 Sep 2007:

>>

>>>Didn't make any difference - still getting same error message.

>>>

>>>Marc

>>>

>>>

>>>"Newbie Coder" <newbiecoder@spammeplease.com> wrote in message

>>>news:%23NLcYx58HHA.5360@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>>>> Marc,

>>>>

>>>> Right-click a PDF & choose OPEN WITH

>>>> Click BROWSE & locate the AcroRd32.exe file typically in 'C:\Program

>>>> Files\Adobe\Reader 8.0\Reader'

>>>> Tick the box to always use this program & that should change all the

>>>> references

>>>> so you can then just double click on these files from now on

>>>>

>>>> NOTE: do not just select from the 'open with' list as you won't be able

>>>> to

>>>> tick

>>>> the always use this program... Click the browse button

>>>>

>>>> --

>>>> Newbie Coder

>>>> (It's just a name)

>>>>

>>>>

>>>>

>>>> "marc" <bogus@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote in message

>>>> news:OmaiJ248HHA.600@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

>>>>> Somehow or other I am now unable to open pdf files by double clicking

>>>>> on

>>>>> them from explorer - I get the message 'windows cannot open the

>>>>> specified

>>>>> device, path or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to

>>>>> access

>>>>> them'.

>>>>>

>>>>> I get this message on every pdf file whether on my hard drive (both

>>>>> partitions) or a product cd no matter what the permissions are.

>>>>>

>>>>> However:

>>>>> - pdf files are associated with reader 8.1.0

>>>>> - I am logged on as administrator

>>>>> - the files open ok by selecting adobe reader from the 'open with'

>>>>> option

>>>>> - the files open ok from within adobe reader

>>>>> - the files have full administrator and system permissions

>>>>>

>>>>> Some of the pdf files were transferred from another computer and their

>>>>> permissions have a 'full control' permission entry starting s-5-1-21

>>>>> etc

>>>>> along with the other usual administrator and system permissions. Others

>>>>> pdfs

>>>>> have been acquired 'normally' and have typical permissions, eg the pdf

>>>>> file

>>>>> in the Reader directory itself placed there as part of the Reader

>>>>> installation.

>>>>>

>>>>> However I can't open any pdf files by double clicking on them

>>>>> regardless

>>>>> of

>>>>> what their permissions are or where the files are located. I

>>>>> experimented

>>>>> changing ownership and permissions but it didn't make any difference.

>>>>>

>>>>> Other file types are ok

>>>>>

>>>>> Any ideas what's causing this and how to fix?

>>>>>

>>>>> tia

>>>>>

>>>>> Marc

>>>>>

>>>>>

>>>>>

>>>>>

>>>>

>>>>

>>>

>>>

>>

>> --

>> Nightowl

>

>

 

--

Nightowl

[Guest marc]

Re: Unable to open pdf files by double-click

 

Mine is the same as yours - it all looks ok but just doesn't work!

 

What's worse, after the reinstall, open via right-click 'open with' no

longer works (there's a lesson there, me thinks) so I can't open any pdf

docs at all as things stand now.

 

Guess I'll have to try an alternative PDF reader and see if that works.

 

Marc

 

 

"Nightowl" <owl@[127.0.0.1]> wrote in message

news:V58Y9+OOHj5GFw6O@black.hole...

> Hi marc

>

> Yes, it's meant to come back. I suggested it as a long shot because there

> is a similar bug with Firefox and HTTP files and unchecking Use DDE forces

> the settings to be rewritten next time the app is run. Never mind, it was

> worth a try.

>

> Here's what I have in the dialog for "open", in case you want to check

> your settings:

>

> Action: open

> Application used. .. "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader

> 8.0\Reader\AcroRd32.exe" "%1"

>

> Use DDE: checked

> DDE Message: blank

> Application: AcroRd32

> DDE Application Not Running: blank

> Topic: System

>

>

>

> marc <bogus@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote on Mon, 10 Sep 2007:

>

>>Tks for your input

>>

>>I tried unchecking DDE but it doesn't stick - after I uncheck and ok out,

>>I

>>go back and DDE is checked again.

>>

>>So I uninstalled and reinstalled Reader to see if that would make any

>>difference and it has - now I can't even open a pdf via a right-click

>>'open

>>with' as I get the same error message as when I double-click. DDE still

>>reverts to checked after unchecking.

>>

>>Can the DDE setting be unchecked via the Registry?

>>

>>Marc

>>

>>

>>

>>"Nightowl" <owl@[127.0.0.1]> wrote in message

>>news:IuvvISHABW5GFwoU@black.hole...

>>> Hi marc

>>>

>>> something else to try:

>>>

>>> From My Computer | any folder window, or Explorer, go to Tools | Folder

>>> Options | File Types tab. Scroll down to PDF, click once to highlight it

>>> and click the Advanced button.

>>>

>>> In the window that pops up, highlight "open" if it isn't already

>>> selected,

>>> then click the Edit button on the right. In the editing window, uncheck

>>> "Use DDE", then OK your way out.

>>>

>>> If any of the settings were wrong this should force Adobe Reader to

>>> reset

>>> them next time you open a document.

>>>

>>> Please let us know how it goes :-)

>>>

>>>

>>> marc <bogus@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote on Mon, 10 Sep 2007:

>>>

>>>>Didn't make any difference - still getting same error message.

>>>>

>>>>Marc

>>>>

>>>>

>>>>"Newbie Coder" <newbiecoder@spammeplease.com> wrote in message

>>>>news:%23NLcYx58HHA.5360@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>>>>> Marc,

>>>>>

>>>>> Right-click a PDF & choose OPEN WITH

>>>>> Click BROWSE & locate the AcroRd32.exe file typically in 'C:\Program

>>>>> Files\Adobe\Reader 8.0\Reader'

>>>>> Tick the box to always use this program & that should change all the

>>>>> references

>>>>> so you can then just double click on these files from now on

>>>>>

>>>>> NOTE: do not just select from the 'open with' list as you won't be

>>>>> able

>>>>> to

>>>>> tick

>>>>> the always use this program... Click the browse button

>>>>>

>>>>> --

>>>>> Newbie Coder

>>>>> (It's just a name)

>>>>>

>>>>>

>>>>>

>>>>> "marc" <bogus@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote in message

>>>>> news:OmaiJ248HHA.600@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

>>>>>> Somehow or other I am now unable to open pdf files by double clicking

>>>>>> on

>>>>>> them from explorer - I get the message 'windows cannot open the

>>>>>> specified

>>>>>> device, path or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to

>>>>>> access

>>>>>> them'.

>>>>>>

>>>>>> I get this message on every pdf file whether on my hard drive (both

>>>>>> partitions) or a product cd no matter what the permissions are.

>>>>>>

>>>>>> However:

>>>>>> - pdf files are associated with reader 8.1.0

>>>>>> - I am logged on as administrator

>>>>>> - the files open ok by selecting adobe reader from the 'open with'

>>>>>> option

>>>>>> - the files open ok from within adobe reader

>>>>>> - the files have full administrator and system permissions

>>>>>>

>>>>>> Some of the pdf files were transferred from another computer and

>>>>>> their

>>>>>> permissions have a 'full control' permission entry starting s-5-1-21

>>>>>> etc

>>>>>> along with the other usual administrator and system permissions.

>>>>>> Others

>>>>>> pdfs

>>>>>> have been acquired 'normally' and have typical permissions, eg the

>>>>>> pdf

>>>>>> file

>>>>>> in the Reader directory itself placed there as part of the Reader

>>>>>> installation.

>>>>>>

>>>>>> However I can't open any pdf files by double clicking on them

>>>>>> regardless

>>>>>> of

>>>>>> what their permissions are or where the files are located. I

>>>>>> experimented

>>>>>> changing ownership and permissions but it didn't make any difference.

>>>>>>

>>>>>> Other file types are ok

>>>>>>

>>>>>> Any ideas what's causing this and how to fix?

>>>>>>

>>>>>> tia

>>>>>>

>>>>>> Marc

>>>>>>

>>>>>>

>>>>>>

>>>>>>

>>>>>

>>>>>

>>>>

>>>>

>>>

>>> --

>>> Nightowl

>>

>>

>

> --

> Nightowl

[Guest Nightowl]

Re: Unable to open pdf files by double-click

 

marc <bogus@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote on Tue, 11 Sep 2007:

>Mine is the same as yours - it all looks ok but just doesn't work!

>

>What's worse, after the reinstall, open via right-click 'open with' no

>longer works (there's a lesson there, me thinks) so I can't open any pdf

>docs at all as things stand now.

>

>Guess I'll have to try an alternative PDF reader and see if that works.

 

Hi marc

 

What do you have in the registry under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.pdf and its

subkeys?

 

--

Nightowl

[Guest marc]

Re: Unable to open pdf files by double-click

 

 

"Nightowl" <owl@[127.0.0.1]> wrote in message

news:oNpXg$BYK05GFwu5@black.hole...

> marc <bogus@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote on Tue, 11 Sep 2007:

>

>>Mine is the same as yours - it all looks ok but just doesn't work!

>>

>>What's worse, after the reinstall, open via right-click 'open with' no

>>longer works (there's a lesson there, me thinks) so I can't open any pdf

>>docs at all as things stand now.

>>

>>Guess I'll have to try an alternative PDF reader and see if that works.

>

> Hi marc

>

> What do you have in the registry under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.pdf and its

> subkeys?

>

> --

> Nightowl

 

I've now installed Foxit Reader which seems to work ok.

 

Registry data now is:

 

..pdf

[default = data is: foxitreader.document]

[content type = data is: application/pdf]

 

openwithlist

[default = data is: empty]

acrord32.exe

[default = data is: empty)]

 

persistenthandler

[default = data is: some longish number]

 

shellex

[default = data is: (value not set)]

some (other) longish number

[default = data is: some (other) longish number]

 

 

Would have been interesting to see what the registry looked like before

installing Foxit as I am still curious to understand why pdfs couldn't be

opened with adobe reader.

 

Marc

[Guest Seahawk60B]

Re: Unable to open pdf files by double-click

 

In all of your troubleshooting, it appears to me that you've neglected

to try launching the reader directly, instead of invoking it through a

pdf file type association. What happens when you go to

 

Start - Run - acrord32.exe

 

Does Adobe open? If so, can you then browse to your pdf files and

open them through the Adobe File - Open menu?

 

 

 

On Sep 12, 4:34 am, "marc" <bo...@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote:

> "Nightowl" <owl@[127.0.0.1]> wrote in message

>

> news:oNpXg$BYK05GFwu5@black.hole...

>

>

>

>

>

> > marc <bo...@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote on Tue, 11 Sep 2007:

>

> >>Mine is the same as yours - it all looks ok but just doesn't work!

>

> >>What's worse, after the reinstall, open via right-click 'open with' no

> >>longer works (there's a lesson there, me thinks) so I can't open any pdf

> >>docs at all as things stand now.

>

> >>Guess I'll have to try an alternative PDF reader and see if that works.

>

> > Hi marc

>

> > What do you have in the registry under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.pdf and its

> > subkeys?

>

> > --

> > Nightowl

>

> I've now installed Foxit Reader which seems to work ok.

>

> Registry data now is:

>

> .pdf

> [default = data is: foxitreader.document]

> [content type = data is: application/pdf]

>

> openwithlist

> [default = data is: empty]

> acrord32.exe

> [default = data is: empty)]

>

> persistenthandler

> [default = data is: some longish number]

>

> shellex

> [default = data is: (value not set)]

> some (other) longish number

> [default = data is: some (other) longish number]

>

> Would have been interesting to see what the registry looked like before

> installing Foxit as I am still curious to understand why pdfs couldn't be

> opened with adobe reader.

>

> Marc- Hide quoted text -

>

> - Show quoted text -

[Guest Nightowl]

Re: Unable to open pdf files by double-click

 

Hi marc

 

Yes, that's what I was wondering (what it looked like before). Glad

you've found something that works for you, though. FYI, my registry

entries are the same as yours, except that under .pdf, my default is

AcroExch.Document and I don't have a Shellex key.

--

Nightowl

 

 

marc <bogus@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote on Wed, 12 Sep 2007:

>

>"Nightowl" <owl@[127.0.0.1]> wrote in message

>news:oNpXg$BYK05GFwu5@black.hole...

>> marc <bogus@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote on Tue, 11 Sep 2007:

>>

>>>Mine is the same as yours - it all looks ok but just doesn't work!

>>>

>>>What's worse, after the reinstall, open via right-click 'open with' no

>>>longer works (there's a lesson there, me thinks) so I can't open any pdf

>>>docs at all as things stand now.

>>>

>>>Guess I'll have to try an alternative PDF reader and see if that works.

>>

>> Hi marc

>>

>> What do you have in the registry under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.pdf and its

>> subkeys?

>>

>> --

>> Nightowl

>

>I've now installed Foxit Reader which seems to work ok.

>

>Registry data now is:

>

>.pdf

> [default = data is: foxitreader.document]

> [content type = data is: application/pdf]

>

> openwithlist

> [default = data is: empty]

> acrord32.exe

> [default = data is: empty)]

>

> persistenthandler

> [default = data is: some longish number]

>

> shellex

> [default = data is: (value not set)]

> some (other) longish number

> [default = data is: some (other) longish number]

>

>

>Would have been interesting to see what the registry looked like before

>installing Foxit as I am still curious to understand why pdfs couldn't be

>opened with adobe reader.

[Guest Nightowl]

Re: Unable to open pdf files by double-click

 

Seahawk60B <jetranger57b@yahoo.com> wrote on Wed, 12 Sep 2007:

>n all of your troubleshooting, it appears to me that you've neglected

>to try launching the reader directly, instead of invoking it through a

>pdf file type association. What happens when you go to

>

> Start - Run - acrord32.exe

>

>Does Adobe open? If so, can you then browse to your pdf files and

>open them through the Adobe File - Open menu?

 

Seahawk, Marc said in his original post: "The files open okay from

within Adobe Reader."

 

--

Nightowl

[Guest marc]

Re: Unable to open pdf files by double-click

 

 

"Nightowl" <owl@[127.0.0.1]> wrote in message

news:znWxasAmF+5GFwuc@black.hole...

> Seahawk60B <jetranger57b@yahoo.com> wrote on Wed, 12 Sep 2007:

>

>>n all of your troubleshooting, it appears to me that you've neglected

>>to try launching the reader directly, instead of invoking it through a

>>pdf file type association. What happens when you go to

>>

>> Start - Run - acrord32.exe

>>

>>Does Adobe open? If so, can you then browse to your pdf files and

>>open them through the Adobe File - Open menu?

>

> Seahawk, Marc said in his original post: "The files open okay from within

> Adobe Reader."

>

> --

> Nightowl

 

Just to clarify, before I reinstalled Adobe Reader, I could open the files

from within AR and also by selecting AR from 'open with' via right-click.

However, after I reinstalled AR, I couldn't open files from within or via

'open with' - there was no way I could get AR to open a file at all. And I

had always assumed you couldn't be any worse off by

uninstalling/reinstalling a program...

 

And the plot sickens...

I now seem to have the same problem trying to open chm files - same error

message. I can open them in NotePad so the problem seems to be with either

the hh.exe file itself (seems unlikely) or some configuration parameter or

other somewhere or other. I hope this doesn't spread to other file types!

 

This is a new pc. I got it with XP Pro as that's what I had on the old PC so

I thought things would be straightforward. I think I've had more problems in

two weeks with the new one than I had in 4 years with the old one.

 

Marc