PDF Help and FAQ’s

General PDF Questions and Troubleshooting

What is a PDF File?
Why does Mediatunes use PDF for its publications?
What software do I need to view and print PDF files and how can I get it?
What causes downloading problems?

Downloading, Viewing, and Printing PDF Files

When I try to download a PDF file, the transfer stops before the file is complete.
I get an error message when I try to open a PDF.
My browser doesn’t recognize the PDF file.
I downloaded the PDF file to my web browser and it opens correctly. Now how do I save it?
I printed out a PDF file. Why don’t all of the graphics print completely?

General PDF Questions and Troubleshooting

Q: What is a PDF File?

PDF stands for “Portable Document Format.” It was created by Adobe Systems
Inc.* originally as a means of electronically exchanging and reviewing documents.
Today, PDF files have become commonplace in the Internet community. PDF file
names can be identified by their “PDF” extension.

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Q: Why does Mediatunes use PDF for its publications?

Documents can be viewed from Windows, UNIX, and Mac OS platforms. Page-based
documents are correctly formatted for printing. Vector graphics allow viewers
to magnify pages to more easily read text and view detailed graphics.

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Q: What software do I need to view and print PDF files and how can I get
it?

To view PDF files you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader version 3.0 or higher.
Acrobat Reader is available for a variety of platforms and may be distributed
freely. If you are running a current version of Netscape Navigator or Microsoft
Internet Explorer, Acrobat Reader will install a plug-in that allows viewing
of PDFs from within your browser’s window.

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Q:What causes downloading problems?

Many factors can contribute to a downloading problem. The two most common
are the amount of traffic on the Internet and the size of the file being
downloaded. The amount of traffic on the Internet is not within Mediatunes
Publishing’s control. odate increasing traffic on our sites. Please note
that the PDF files are large due to the nature of their content. Please try
clearing your browser cache (deleting temporary internet files) and try the
download again. If the download still fails, one or more of the following
may apply.

  • If you are using a program to accelerate or resume the download…
    temporarily disable this program and try your download again.
  • If you are using a personal firewall program…
    temporarily disable this program and try your download again.
  • If you use a screensaver…
    disconnect your screensaver as it could turn on during a download and interrupt
    the data transfer.
  • If you are on a lan…
    contact your system administrator for assistance downloading as there may
    be filters or restrictions on downloading files through the proxy or firewall.
  • If the file is very large…
    be sure you have enough storage space either on your hard drive, on your
    LAN or in your internet account.

Downloading, Viewing, and Printing PDF Files

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Q: When I try to download a PDF file, the transfer stops before the file
is complete.

If you are using Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer with the
Adobe Acrobat plug-in…

There are known issues when using the Adobe Acrobat plug-in. Adobe publishes
these issues with its Acrobat software. In general, be sure you are running
the latest released version of your browser’s software and the latest released
version of Adobe Acrobat Reader. If problems persist when using the Adobe
Acrobat plug-in, remove it from your browser’s “plugins” directory and configure
Acrobat as a helper application.

If your web browser has Adobe Acrobat Reader configured as a helper application
and you continue to experience problems downloading PDF files, see incomplete
download

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Q: I get an error message when I try to open a PDF.

Most likely, the file did not download completely. When this happens, Adobe
Acrobat Reader often gives a message that the file is damaged or corrupted,
or simply that it cannot be opened. See  question regarding incomplete
download.

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Q: My browser doesn’t recognize the PDF file.

If Netscape Navigator 3.0 (or later) or Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 (or
later) was not installed at the time you installed Adobe Acrobat Reader,
the plug-in may not have gotten installed properly. Either reinstall Acrobat
Reader or look for an option in your browser to configure helper applications
or viewers.

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Q: I downloaded the PDF file to my web browser and it opens correctly.
Now how do I save it?

There are three ways to save PDF files after downloading them from the Web.
First, be sure you are running Adobe Acrobat Reader 3.0 or higher.

  • If you are using the plug-in (i.e., viewing the PDF in your browser’s window)…
    The browser plug-in that accompanies Acrobat Reader 3.0 integrates Acrobat
    into the browser’s window and adds “save as” functionality for PDF files.
    Simply use your browser’s “Save as…” function, located under the “File”
    menu.
  • If you are using Acrobat Reader as a helper application…
    Before closing the PDF document, go into your browser’s cache directory and
    copy the file to another location on your hard drive or a network drive.
  • Exit Acrobat (if still open). Change your browser’s helper applications
    preferences to save the PDF file instead of launching the associated application.
    Download the file again and, when prompted, specify a location for the file.

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Q: I printed out a PDF file. Why don’t all of the graphics print
completely?

Be sure you printer meets the minimum printer requirements. Usually, lack
of printer RAM is the cause of incomplete graphics printing.

If you have any other problems accessing the download area, or need assistance, please click here to contact Mediatunes Publishing In the subject line put the word HELP!