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RedCab2
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all of a sudden - can't open files

Mar 27, 2012 2:35 PM

Running Adobe Reader 10.1.2 (current rev) on Win 7 (latest release)

 

Had been working fine. Now on some files (but not all) I get this error:

 

"there was an error opening this document. The file is damaged and could not be repaired."

 

Two comments:

(1) I uninstalled Adobe Reader, then rebooted, then reinstalled Adobe Reader from a fresh download. I still get the same error.

(2) I am able to open the same pdf files that don't open on this computer on another computer. So it must be this installation on this computer.

 

Since I've already uninstalled, not sure where to go from here...  Is there a mis-set configuration option in Reader causing this for only some files?

 

Thanks anyone for ideas...

14974 Views   9 Replies   Latest reply: RedCab2, Apr 9, 2012 10:39 AM
 
Replies
  • Priscilla Walker
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    1. Priscilla Walker,
    Mar 27, 2012 5:20 PM   in reply to RedCab2
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    The first thing I'd recommend is that you make a copy of the files, and try to open the copy. If you can download them from the source using a different name, that would be best. The fact that the files opened on a different system makes me suspicious of the files (bad sector on the hard drive, for example).

     

    The next question is how did you uninstall? Did you use the Control Panel option to Uninstall Programs? You want a clean uninstall before re-installing.

     
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  • RedCab2
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    2. RedCab2,
    Mar 27, 2012 11:04 PM   in reply to Priscilla Walker
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    To respond:

     

    1) I did the uninstall from the Win7 control panel.

     

    2) I tried the suggestion to duplicate a file and try to open the copy. Still wouldn't open those files I'm having trouble with.

     

    3) I noticed that this problem only affects files which I recently received from external sources. I went back to some older files and found I could open them on this Win7 PC. As I pointed out earlier, I am successful opening all files on my other Win7 PC. So it's definitely related to this PC. Might the problem be incorrectly specified "preference" item on Adobe Reader (since re-installing didn't solve things).

     

    PS Just figured out that this forum is not compatible w/ Chrome. Now using Firefox.

     
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  • Pat Willener
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    3. Pat Willener,
    Mar 28, 2012 1:24 AM   in reply to RedCab2
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    Files may get corrupted when copied / transferred / emailed / downloaded.

     

    The message "The file is damaged and could not be repaired" indicates that this may have happened.  Can you obtain a new copy of the file(s) you are unable to open?

     
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  • RedCab2
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    4. RedCab2,
    Mar 28, 2012 7:05 AM   in reply to Pat Willener
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    Yes, the last time I had the file resent to me. No change to problem. Still can't open those particular files on this PC.

     

    I'm stumped!

     
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  • Smathew
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    5. Smathew,
    Mar 28, 2012 7:46 AM   in reply to RedCab2
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    I'm also having a problem opening PDF files. I am unable to open any PDF in reader X or Acrobat 9. I get no error message the programs just do not launch. This has been going on for the past week. Oh and I'm running Windows 7. I've also posted the same comment here http://forums.adobe.com/message/4297091#4297091

     
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  • almgren42
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    6. almgren42,
    Apr 2, 2012 12:55 PM   in reply to Smathew
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    Same problem here. Interesting fact, I can open the files on my android mobile phone, so the file is ok. But it just dont open anymore on my windows 7 machine. Not all files, just some, and only new ones I even tried to save an OpenOffice document as pdf and that one opened nicely.

     

    so all off a sudden soem pdf files dont open, and the files seems ok as they open on the phone.

     
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  • m.hotel
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    7. m.hotel,
    Apr 6, 2012 12:26 PM   in reply to RedCab2
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    Just started here - right about the time the 10.1.2 update installed itself on Win7.  Now ~50% of newly received PDFs are "damaged."

     

    I can save the PDF to a thumb drive and it opens/displays fin on the Mac using either Preview or Reader, but the same file on the same drive is reported as damaged by 10.1.2 on Win7.

     

    Bug?

     
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  • LoriAUC
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    8. LoriAUC,
    Apr 9, 2012 6:59 AM   in reply to m.hotel
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    Have you tried to see if this might be related to Protected Mode? To check, try temporarily unchecking this under Edit > Preferences > General category "Enable Protected Mode at startup".

     
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  • RedCab2
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    9. RedCab2,
    Apr 9, 2012 10:39 AM   in reply to RedCab2
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    Thanks for all those comments... today I went back to the original pdf that gave me trouble and it opens up normally.

     

    I have absolutely no idea why it is suddenly working... Adobe reader is still 10.1.2. Maybe something else has updated in the background?

     

    BTW, I have "enable protected mode at startup" button clicked "on".

     

    Oh well, it works now, so I guess I'll cross this one off my list...

     
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