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Frequently Asked Questions on
Downloading and Printing PDF Files
We've compiled a list of our most frequently asked questions related to the downloading and printing of PDF documents.
- What is PDF?
- How do I view PDF files?
- When printing a document in PDF format all the words run together with no spaces between them, however, everything looks fine on the screen. Is there an error in your documents, or is it my system?
- When downloading a PDF file, my web browser window goes blank and I never receive the file.
- Adobe Acrobat Reader claims the PDF file is damaged when I try to open it after downloading. Is your file damaged?
- How can I download a PDF file directly to my hard drive and bypass the Acrobat Reader plug-in that normally displays the form in my web browser window?
- Do you have any other general troubleshooting advice for resolving print problems?
Q1. What is PDF?
The
PDF format is modeled after the PostScript language and is both device and
resolution independent. Publications in the PDF format can be viewed, navigated
and printed from a workstation using the freely available Acrobat
Reader software from Adobe Systems Inc. Versions of Acrobat Reader run on
Windows 95, Windows NT, Windows 3.1, Macintosh, LINUX, IBM AIX, Sun SPARC SunOS,
Sun SPARC Solaris, SGI IRIX, HP-UX, Digital Unix and OS/2 Warp.
To view an Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) file, you need to obtain the
free viewer, which is available from the Adobe
web site. This viewer is available for many operating systems and
computers.
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This issue can nearly always be resolved by obtaining and installing the most recent print driver available for your particular make and model printer. Most printer manufacturers, including Hewlett Packard, provide free printer driver updates from their web sites.
Q4. When downloading a PDF file, my web browser window goes blank and I never receive the file.
Should you experience PDF files appearing as a blank window within your web browser after downloading, follow the appropriate steps below to resolve the issue:
Adobe Acrobat Reader
If you are using Adobe Acrobat Reader version 3.0 or earlier, upgrade to version
5 or later.
Internet Explorer
Please see Article ID:
Q177321 in the Microsoft
Support Online database for a possible resolution.
Use the "Save Target As..." or "Save Link As..." option to download the PDF file directly to your hard drive and bypass the Acrobat Reader plug-in.
- Find the link to the PDF document.
- Use the "Save Target As.." option to download the file. This can normally be accomplished by right clicking (left click, if your mouse is configured for left handed operation) on the title link (or icon) then selecting "Save Target As.." when presented with a menu.
- Choose a location for the file. REMEMBER THIS LOCATION! Then click OK/Save
- Wait for the file to download
- Start Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- Choose File | Open, and find the file you just donwloaded.
All of our files are verified prior to posting on the web site. Most likely your download was not successful. Try downloading the file again.
Below is the procedure to use for Internet Explorer with Windows 95 or NT 4.0. If you are using Netscape, substitute "Save Target As..." with "Save Link As...".
- Find the link to the PDF document.
- Use the "Save Target As.." option to download the file. This can normally be accomplished by right clicking (left click, if your mouse is configured for left handed operation) on the title link (or icon) then selecting "Save Target As.." when presented with a menu.
- Choose a location for the file. REMEMBER THIS LOCATION! Then click OK/Save
- Wait for the file to download
- Start Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- Choose File | Open, and find the file you just donwloaded.
Q7. Do you have any other general troubleshooting advice for resolving print problems?
- Raster vs. Vector Modes - You may get more consistent results if your printer driver is set to use Raster mode for graphics. Note, not all printer drivers have this mode.
- Dithering - Set your printer driver’s Graphics/Dithering option to Fine or Coarse for best results when printing half-tone images. A setting of None will produce poor results.
- 600dpi - If you experience problems printing to HP LaserJet printers in the 600dpi mode, try switching back to 300dpi mode or if it is equipped with a PostScript option, use the PostScript mode for 600dpi printing.
- Printer Memory Issues using PDF format - If you encounter problems, such
as a "Vmerror" printing to a PostScript Level 1 or 2 printer, it
may be because the printer has insufficient memory available. Below are two
potential solutions to this problem:
- In the Acrobat Reader General Preferences dialog (select from the File | Preferences menu) you may choose to use Serif only or Sans only for font substitution. This frees up additional memory in the printer and chances are good your document will print successfully.
- Upgrade the printer’s memory.