Can't download PDF Doc's

[niknak]

I have a fairly old (4 years) Acer Aspire 5315 laptop, Windows Vista with a 32 bit operating system.
For some reason I cannot download or open PDF Docs.
I have Adobe 9, have removed it and reloaded it via Adobe and FileHippo but it doesn't seem to make any difference.

I don't mind spending a few quid to put things right, but if that is a solution, am I throwing good money after bad or would I be better off in investing in a new piece of kit?

Thanks in advance.

[vulcanised]

Try the free Foxit. It's fast and you can add comments to the pdf.

Foxit Software - Foxit Reader for Windows

[Tarq57]

The inability to download files is curious.
Can you download and save other file types?
If you attempt to download and save a .pdf, will it download?

[BOAC]

As fas as I am aware, you do not need any 'pdf' programme to DOWNLOAD a pdf. What actually happens when you click on a PDF download link? Which browser?

[Capetonian]

I sometimes findthat if I try to open or view a .pdf it doesn't work. But if I save it and then try to view it, it works. Don't know why. I use Firefox.

[niknak]

Thanks Vulcanised, the Foxit software seems to have done the trick.

Even if I previously saved the PDF doc' I couldn't open it and I got an error message saying "Win32 is not a valid application", which made me wonder if there was an Adobe application for my 32 bit laptop.

Anyway, Foxit seems to have cured the problem.

Thanks everyone.

[BOAC]

Are you saying Foxit has cured the "I cannot download" problem then?

[Mr Optimistic]

File types

If you go into windows explorer, then tools, then file types and scroll down the list of extensions to pdf, which application is listed ?

[BOAC]

It will be Foxit now!

[Loose rivets]

From the above link:

Try Foxit Reader for Windows FREE

This usually means a trial version - which I avoid because of the detritus left behind when time's up.

If not the case, how long does it last?

[BOAC]

About as long as a piece of string...........................

[Mr Optimistic]

Fair point

Think I would just download adobe 9.1 again and have another go just to understand it, but Foxit reader looks free sine die.

Foxit Software - Technical FAQ

[vulcanised]

That's my expression there, Loose. It's been on my computer for some years. foc, so if it is a trial period it's a very long one.

[niknak]

There appear to be two versions of Foxit, one is free and very basic but good enough for my needs, the other costs and claims to do all sorts of things, whether it does or not I've no idea.