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 Reserves and ILLiad at the Beach.
Viewing, saving, and printing PDF files
Troubleshooting Common Problems
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.
- If the test document does not appear, then you may need to download and install Acrobat Reader.
- If the test document does appear, then try saving the PDF file on your computer (see downloading - alternate method, above) and opening it from there.
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 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 on the Acrobat tool bar to change document's display size. You can click on the "-" and "+" signs, or use the drop down menu.
Document does not print.
- Try using the print icon
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.
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).
Adobe Acrobat 4 is not compatible with Window XP. Please download and install Acrobat Reader version 5 or later.
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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on the Acrobat tool bar to save the document on your computer.