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"%PDF-" error in Acrobat Reader

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11 replies

by leibendk

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Every time I download a document from Tech Republic, when I try to open the file I get an error message saying the file doesn't begin with "%PDF-". Renaming the file with this prefix is no help. What do I need to do to be able to open Tech Republic downloads?

11 replies

by bryan_hartman

Try reinstalling or upgrading the acrobat software the latest reader is 4.05 but i've heard that 5.0 is out now(not sure i have not checked for myself)but it's free at adobe's web page.

by coldman

Make sure your downloaded file type is pointed to Acrobat Reader.

In Windows Explorer,
Goto View (Tools if using Windows Me),
Goto Folder Options,
Goto File Types,
Search for extension 'PDF',
Hightlight it,
Click Advance,
Hightlight 'open',
Click 'Edit',
Click 'Browse' to link it to the correct Acrobat Reader exe.

by bbahar

Adobe released Acrobat Reader 5.0. Try to install it. This may solve your problem.
Also try to look at folder options > file types and see is there any associations with the PDF formats.

Good luck...

by skutts

The downloads may be corrupting - all PDF files start with %PDF as the first characters. Use a Hex Editor (Such as Hex Workshop) to edit the file (after backing it up) and check the first 4 chars. If they are not there, add them. If the file is corrupt, you may only be able to readsome of it though.

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