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Adobe Acrobat Help

Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view and print documents in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF).  PDF files are used by many of the Library's database vendors and Library services such as eReserves and ILLiad at the Beach. 

  • Additional Help

    Viewing, saving, and printing PDF files

    Viewing

    Clicking on the link to a PDF file should cause the PDF file to download and open for viewing.

    The Acrobat tool bar has tools for

    • Navigating within the document Navigate.
      (You can also scroll and use the Page Up and Page Down keys.)
    • Adjusting the size of the text Zoom in/Zoom out.
    • Rotating the document's orientation Rotate.
    Printing
    		 Click on the printer icon Print on the Acrobat tool bar to print the document.
    Saving
    		 Click on the diskette icon Save on the Acrobat tool bar to save the document on your computer.
    Downloading - alternate method

    You can also download a PDF document to your computer this way:

    • Right-click on the link to the PDF document and save it on your computer:
      • INTERNET EXPLORER: Click "Save Target As."
      • NETSCAPE: Click "Save Link As" and be sure to change the extension of the file name to .pdf when you save it.
    • Double click on the file you have saved. If Acrobat Reader has been installed on your computer, it should launch and display the document.
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    Troubleshooting Common Problems

    Viewing PDF documents

    Problem
    Solution
    Acrobat does not start when I click on the link to a PDF file.

    Click the following link: Test Adobe and see if a page that says "Presto!" appears.

    Acrobat starts but the document does not display.
    • Some PDF files are very large and take a long time to download. Also, the server may experience slowdowns during times of peak activity.
    • Look at the status bar (at the bottom of your browser window where the document is loading) and see if it indicates that a document is being downloaded.
      • If downloading activity is occurring, you may need to just give it more time.
      • If downloading activity is not occurring (or appears to be "stuck"), then you may either click your browser's BACK button and try again, or try saving the PDF file to your computer (see downloading - alternate method, above) and opening it from there.
    Document displays sideways or upside down. Click the Rotate View icon Rotate on the Acrobat tool bar until the document appears right side up.
    Document size needs to be changed (e.g. document is too small to read on the screen). Use the Zoom in/Zoom out tool Zoom in/Zoom out on the Acrobat tool bar to change document's display size. You can click on the "-" and "+" signs, or use the drop down menu.


    Printing PDF documents

    Problem
    Solution
    Document does not print.
    • Try using the print icon Print on the Acrobat tool bar (rather than your browser's print function). On the print dialog box that appears, make sure that the option to "Print to file" is unchecked.
    • If print icon is grayed out, it may mean that the document's security prevents printing.
    • To learn more about resolving Windows printing problems, you can go to Adobe's Resolving Windows printing problems page.

    Document takes a very long time to print.

    Some factors that affect print time:

    • The size of the file
    • The type of network connection with which you are working
    • The speed of the computer on which you are working
    • The type and memory of the printer you are using
    Document prints only odd or even pages. Select the "Even and Odd Pages" option on the Acrobat print dialog box (that appears when you click the printer icon).
    Document prints as mirror image. Select the "Print as image" option on the Acrobat print dialog box (that appears when you click the printer icon).


    Windows XP issues

    Adobe Acrobat 4 is not compatible with Window XP. Please download and install Acrobat Reader version 5 or later.

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    Additional Help

  • Additional help for the Adobe Acrobat Reader can be found at <http://www.adobe.com/support/products/acrreader.html>.

  • If you are still having problems with Adobe Acrobat, use the links below to submit a problem report form for the services listed below:

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    Content for this page was modeled on University of Maryland University College's Adobe Acrobat Help page located at: 
    http://www.umuc.edu/library/database/acrobat/acrobathelp.html and is used with permission by UMUC.
    This page maintained by the Library Web Group
    lib-webgroup@csulb.edu
    University Library
    California State University, Long Beach
    Please send questions, comments, and suggestions to the webgroup at the address above. 
    •   Last Updated 3/28/06