Downloading Questions

Why do I receive a blank PDF when I try to download materials?
I can't download PDFs because I am getting a "File not found" error message. How do I fix it?
My login is okay, but the downloads fail; what should I do?
How do I make the PDFs open in Acrobat Reader?

Why do I receive a blank PDF when I try to download materials?

• Make sure you are waiting long enough for the PDF to download and open. Some larger PDFs can take several minutes to download on a slower connection (modem or dial up).
• If you wait a few minutes and still receive a blank page, clear your cache. You may also need to have your school or district Network Administrator flush the server cache, or have your Internet provider clear the server's cache.
• If you still receive a blank PDF when downloading make sure the Fast Web View option in Acrobat Reader is disabled.

Windows:

1. Select Preferences within the Edit pull-down menu.
2. Select the Options category.
3. Uncheck the option labeled Allow Fast Web View.

1. Select Preferences within the Adobe Reader pull-down menu.
2. Select the Internet category.
3. Uncheck the option labeled Allow Fast Web View.

It is also imperative that you check the manufacturer's website for your printer to make certain that you have the most current version of the print driver.

I can't download PDFs because I am getting a "File not found" error message. How do I fix it?

An old file is likely saved in your Proxy Server's cache file. If you are connecting from a school computer, please have your Network Administrator flush the server cache. If you are connecting from a home computer, you may want to ask your Internet provider to clear the server's cache.

You may also try clearing your computer's cache.

My login is okay, but the downloads fail; what should I do?

• Make sure you are using the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader. Multiple versions can cause conflicts, so be sure to delete your previous versions first.

To uninstall Acrobat Reader on a PC:

1. Use the Add/Remove Programs option in the control panel.
2. Select Acrobat Reader.
3. Click the Add/Remove button.

1. Delete the program file(s) by throwing the folder(s) in the trash.
2. Delete the preferences file(s) for the program. (OSX users will need to delete the preferences files located in each User Account as well as the System Preferences.)
3. Empty the trash.

• Make sure you are not using download accelerator software. Please consult with your Network Administrator to resolve.
• Make sure you are using a supported Internet browser and version. 

1. On a PC (Windows), right-click the link to the PDF. On a Mac, click and hold down the mouse button over the link to the PDF.
2. Choose Save Target As or Save Link to Disk from the menu.
3. Save the PDF to your computer at a location of your choice.
4. Close all open windows.
5. Launch Acrobat from the Programs submenu under the Windows Start button.
6. Choose File>Open from within Acrobat.
7. Navigate to and open the saved file.
8. Print the saved PDF from within Acrobat.

How do I make the PDFs open in Acrobat Reader?

To display properly, PDF documents must be opened in Acrobat Reader (or, optionally, Preview on a Macintosh).

Windows:

1. Open the Documents folder.
2. Choose the Tools Folder Options or the View Folder Options menu item. 
3. Select the File Types tab. 
4. Scroll through the list of files until you find the PDF file type. 
5. Click the Change button in the panel.
6. Select Acrobat Reader from the list of programs.
7. Click the OK button. 
8. Close the File Options window.

1. Select the document in the Finder.
2. Select the File menu.
3. Select the Get Info menu item.
4. Click Open with in the Info window.
5. Choose an application in the pop-up menu or choose Other to select an application not listed.
6. Click the Change All button.

You can also try reinstalling Acrobat Reader.