Tech Team: In the Trenches

February 19, 2004 Volume 2 Issue 2

Table of Contents


Working with Forms & PDF Files

Open Internet Explorer
If you are using AOL, minimize AOL and open Internet Explorer. To open Internet Explorer, click Start, then click on Programs (All Programs), then click on Internet Explorer. Type the web site's URL in the Address bar for the Forms site. Continue to the Forms program.

Check Your Adobe Reader
You will need to follow a three step process, more fully explained below:

  1. Download the current version of Adobe Reader that will work with your operating system and save it to your hard drive (C:) - do not install it yet!
  2. Uninstall all versions of the Reader currently installed on your system and restart your computer.
  3. Install the current version that you saved to your hard drive.
Step 1: Download the Most Current Reader
Go to http://Adobe.com and click on the yellow icon "Get Adobe Reader."

Adobe will prompt you to complete two steps. In Step 1 of 2, you must indicate the Platform - Macintosh or Windows - you are using. To find what version of Windows you have, right-click on My Computer, left-click on Properties. Next, click on Connection Speed and select your connection type (broadband or dial up).

Step 2 of 2 will appear, click Download. Be sure to save this file to your hard drive C:. Do not install at this time.

Step 2: Uninstall Other Versions of the Reader
Once the Reader file is saved to your hard drive, close the Internet and all other programs that are open on your computer. To ensure proper operation of the Reader software, you have to uninstall all other versions. Here's how:

  • Click Start
  • Click Settings
  • Click Control Panel
  • Double click Add-Remove Programs
You need to remove all versions of Acrobat Reader or Adobe Reader. Be very careful when you do this -- if you uninstall the wrong program, you will need to reinstall it later. If in doubt, contact your tech helpline for assistance. Once you have uninstalled all previous versions of the Reader, restart your computer.

NOTE: If you have the full version of Adobe Acrobat 5.0 (you bought the program or it came with another Adobe product such as Photoshop®), you will not be able to install Adobe Reader 6 on top of it. You will corrupt both. If you use the full version for other projects, you will need to update to version 5.05 (free) or upgrade to the next version 6.0 (there will be a charge - contact Adobe).

Step 3: Install the Most Current Reader
When the computer restarts, go directly to My Computer, double-click on C: drive. Find the AdbeRdr60 file (or the file that you downloaded if not AdbeRdr60), double-click on this file. This will continue to download any additional files. Click Open to install. After installation is complete, open Adobe Reader 6. Once you accept the License Agreement, Adobe Reader will open to a gray screen. At this point, go back online using Internet Explorer and get your forms.

If you are still having a problem seeing your forms, it is possible that a virus or spy ware is interfering with Adobe Reader. We recommend that you check your anti-virus software, make sure it is up-to-date and run a complete virus scan.

Copyright 2004 FAR