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Computer Software => General software => Topic started by: tiffy on October 27, 2017, 10:39:22 AM

Title: Adobe Reader Issue
Post by: tiffy on October 27, 2017, 10:39:22 AM
Anyone had recent issues with Adobe Reader ?

Have been using Adobe Reader DC for as long as I can remember, running on desktop PC, Win 8.1 64b.
Yesterday, it just stopped opening, no error messages, just appears to be starting (busy cursor icon for a few seconds) then nothing.
Have tried the usual things, ran repair, un-installed/re-installed, still the same.

Completely un-installed again and then installed Adobe Reader XI, exact same results.

Have not recently installed Adobe or Windows updates just prior to the issue and Reader did not exibit any issues after the previous updates of either Adobe or Windows.

Have seen historical reports of similar issues with Adobe Reader but nothing recent as far as I can see.

My default browser is Firefox any possible connection with this ?
Title: Re: Adobe Reader Issue
Post by: watcher on October 27, 2017, 11:30:45 AM
You could try using the Adobe Reader and Acrobat Cleaner Tool from Adobe here (http://labs.adobe.com/downloads/acrobatcleaner.html).
Title: Re: Adobe Reader Issue
Post by: tiffy on October 27, 2017, 12:40:55 PM
Thanks for the suggestion, I was aware of this utility but discounted as the utility was described as a possible fix for a failed installation or incomplete un-installation.
However, just in case, I ran the utility which completed without any reported errors.

After a PC re-boot as requested, re-installed Reader XI without any reported errors.

Unfortunately, situation still the same, program won't start by any method !
Title: Re: Adobe Reader Issue
Post by: tiffy on October 27, 2017, 02:25:40 PM
Given up on Adobe Reader, not worth any further time or effort, related forums are full of issues similar to mine with very few solutions offered by Adobe that I could see.

As some form of pdf file reader is essential, I have gone to Foxit Reader simply because this was pre-installed on my desktop PC, the free version currently appears to fulfill my very basic requirements so I will give it a go, there are plenty of free alternatives available should Foxit prove unsuitable.

Like most Windows software, Adobe Reader in my opinion has become too bloated and complicated for normal basic reader funcionality, users with more complex needs usually expect to have to purchase these, why not keep the basic reader just that as it used to be ?
Title: Re: Adobe Reader Issue
Post by: tbailey2 on October 27, 2017, 03:23:14 PM
Strange  :-\ I have the free Adobe Acrobat Reader DC (to give it its full name) latest version 2017.012.20098 installed on two separate Windows 8.1 64-bit installations running fine here....

Edit:
Just spotted you say Adobe reader XI - that is old hat I believe and was superseded by V12:

https://get.adobe.com/uk/reader/

Obviously deselect the McAfee options if you don't need them.
Title: Re: Adobe Reader Issue
Post by: tiffy on October 27, 2017, 06:33:32 PM
Strange  :-\ I have the free Adobe Acrobat Reader DC (to give it its full name) latest version 2017.012.20098 installed on two separate Windows 8.1 64-bit installations running fine here....

Edit:
Just spotted you say Adobe reader XI - that is old hat I believe and was superseded by V12:

https://get.adobe.com/uk/reader/

Obviously deselect the McAfee options if you don't need them.

Yes, I also had Adobe Acrobat Reader DC running perfectly until yesterday when I routinely tried to open a router manual, then "nothing" as reported, see earlier posts, this thread.

I dropped back to Adobe XI to see if that would work but just the same.

As I said, no updates recently performed on the reader or Windows or anything else so can't understand what happened ?
Title: Re: Adobe Reader Issue
Post by: tbailey2 on October 27, 2017, 07:26:42 PM
Sorry I missed that...

Assuming you make regular backups can you restore something from a few weeks back to see that cures it and may give a clue. Or do a system restore from a while back?
Title: Re: Adobe Reader Issue
Post by: tiffy on October 27, 2017, 07:37:20 PM
Yes, I do make regular backups and I could roll back but to be honest I can't be bothered, reading various forums on many similar issues with little or no assistance being given by Adobe has but me off sticking with Adobe Reader, as I said earlier, it's become too bloated now for my liking especially since the DC revision, I have very modest requirements and there are a lot of much simpler, free alternative pdf viewers available to try out.
Title: Re: Adobe Reader Issue
Post by: tiffy on October 30, 2017, 11:38:45 AM
Don't know if it's a coincidence, but my IE 11 has also stopped working at or around the same time as Adobe Acrobat Reader, tries to start but then advises "not responding" and has to be closed down, I abandoned IE in favour of Firefox many years ago after problems with my on line banking, only started using it again very recently to run the BT WS Performance Tester after Firefox started returning incorrect DS speed readings. (see other thread)

Currently using Pale Moon browser for running BT WS Performance Tester, still reluctant to give up Firefox completely as my default browser despite the impending changes.