Unable to open PDFs at all with Leopard

Discussion in 'macOS' started by banzaifly, Jan 10, 2008.

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  1. banzaifly, Jan 10, 2008

    banzaifly macrumors newbie

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    Jan 10, 2008
    #1
    My apologies if this question has been answered, but I searched and couldn't find it.

    I am completely unable to open any PDF with my new MacBook Pro, which is running Leopard (OS X 10.5.1). Preview doesn't work, Safari doesn't work, QuickTime doesn't work. :mad:

    If I must uninstall and clean install, I'd really appreciate any guidance anyone could give about this process. For instance, will I lose everything that's stored in my programs (i.e., all my personal files, preferences, and emails) when I uninstall? And what's the best way to go about backing up my info, uninstalling, and installing?

    Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.
     
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  2. richard.mac, Jan 10, 2008

    richard.mac macrumors 603

    richard.mac

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    #2
    this is a mac here you shouldnt have to reinstall just because you cant open a pdf.

    have you tried right clicking the pdf while holding the option key and choosing "always open with -> preview"? by default preview opens saved pdf files and safari opens linked pdf files in the browser.

    did you install acrobat reader before you had this issue?

    what icon does a pdf file have?
     
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  3. banzaifly, Jan 10, 2008

    banzaifly thread starter macrumors newbie

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    Jan 10, 2008
    #3
    Thanks for your help.

    Yes, Preview is set as the default and I've tried all the control-click options.

    The icons look just as they should, showing the Preview logo with the snapshot, magnifier, and the letters PDF. All of the file names are .pdf.

    When I try to open, I get the following error message:

    Couldn’t open the file. It may be corrupt or a file format that Preview doesn’t recognize.

    I've had this problem since day one with my computer. I don't think I have acrobat reader -- I don't see it in my applications spotlight and I haven't downloaded it. Good idea... should I try?
    Thanks again
     
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  4. richard.mac, Jan 11, 2008

    richard.mac macrumors 603

    richard.mac

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    #4
    send us a screen shot of the pdf file and the error you get when you try to open it so i can try and diagnose the problem.
     
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  5. jplan2008, Feb 15, 2008

    jplan2008 macrumors regular

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    Feb 15, 2008
    #5
    Same problem with 10.5.2

    I'm having the same problem after updating to 10.5.2. But it only happens with larger pdfs. I see the progress at the bottom of XX kB out of X MB but then it stops after a few hundred kB, and I get a blank (gray) screen (Safari has also slowed down to a crawl with this update). I tried with firefox (with preview as pdf reader), Firefox was even slower than Safari, and I got the same error message the OP mentioned.

    These are pdf's on a restricted school website that requires login, so I can't send links/screenshots for you to try the same pdf's.

    I tried with some other pdf's that I opened/downloaded with no problem a week ago, and am having the same problem. Any ideas? I haven't tried with Adobe reader since I can't stand it, and love Preview (or did until this week).
     
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  6. clevin, Feb 15, 2008

    clevin macrumors G3

    clevin

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    #6
    another reason/vote for adobe, if you haven't try that free adobe reader.
     
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  7. RipIt, Feb 24, 2008

    RipIt macrumors newbie

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    Feb 24, 2008
    #7
    You are using Leopard. Have you tried Quicklook?
     
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  8. polythene pam, Feb 25, 2008

    polythene pam macrumors member

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    Florida
    #8
    Hi all,

    I've been having the same problem ever since I installed Adobe Acrobat. I had to install it twice and I believe that when deleting the first install, I must have messed up and deleted an important part of Safari. When I try to open a pdf online now, nothing happens.
     
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  9. RipIt, Feb 25, 2008

    RipIt macrumors newbie

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    Feb 24, 2008
    #9
    Both Acrobat and Reader have the ability to "repair" the installation.

    Under the Help menu. This usually takes care of plugins for browsers among other anomalies.
     
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  10. john.draper55, Feb 27, 2009

    john.draper55 macrumors newbie

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    Feb 27, 2009
    #10
    I can't see certain PDF's using Preview

    I've been having a similar but different problem. I can open most PDF's using Preview but can't open all. The error I'm getting on those I can't open is:

    To view the full contents of this document, you need a later version of the PDF viewer. You can upgrade
    to the latest version of Adobe Reader from www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

    For further support, go to www.adobe.com/support/products/acrreader.html
     
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