windows xpsp2
 

Hi,
I have just installed SP2 on my pc running on XP( home ) and have discovered I cannot open a .pdf file from the browser IE6. When I open up the " manage add-on list" AdOBE ACROBAT PDF.OCX (control for active x)is Disabled and when I select it I dont get the option to "enable" it. I get the message this add-on is managed by your administrator. I never had this problem before intalling SP2.
I am running Norton antivirus 2005 and have the windows firewall disabled.
I can open up acrobat adobe from the desktop. Any help will be appreciated.
Willby
PS I can also open .pdf files in OUTLOOK EXPRESS

willby

Sorry I cant assist but I too appear to have a small SP2 problem. Since loading it I have been unable to save any picture as my wallpaper by right clicking it.

All I end up with is a blue screen instead of the picture. I can find it if I right click a space on my desktop and look under display properties - desktop, and then 'apply' it.

I can only assume its something to do with SP2 as I had no problems prior to loading it

sparkie

Hi Sparkie,
I am tempted to go back to pre SP2 but will persevere for a while as SP2 does contain a lot of valuable protection
Willby

Have you tried removing and reinstalling Adobe Acrobat? I have WinXP SP2 and it works fine for me in FireFox and IE. I suspect that the new ActiveX management system in IE is blocking your access.

goates

Hi Goates,
I just deleted adobe acrobat reader and reinstalled but to no avail I'm afraid.I suspect you are right about the new add-on management system blocking me out but I dont know why. Anyway I will persevere and let you know if I eventually get it sorted
Willby

This may help, and it may not.

I had similar problems and I discussed it with others and I reached the conclusion that I could, perhaps, figure it out. Actually it turned out to be a con-figure!

I was thinking about removing SP2 altogether but felt that it was best to keep it for it's obvious announced value.

What I did first was to defrag my OS drive. The amount of stuff that was scattered was quite a sight but it sorted it. Startup was slower than normal, icons would not re-draw 'in a flash' as they had done and so it went on.

I then realised that maybe one further tweak would be to do a few boots. I did 8 in quick succession and things began to get better. Boot ups were quicker, re-draws on the desktop got better and after about a week it was just great - and here is the best bit - it was better and faster than before. My startup now on XP Pro is never more than 68 seconds and the whole machine runs like a good-un. It just needs time to settle, sort out your settings and figure out how you want your machine to run.

For what it's worth there is my result. Everything is fine.:ok:

Wilby
 

From what you describe the problem may be your user login.

Try the following:

Windows Home XP

1. As windows is loading up press F8 repeatedly until the Windows advanced
screen comes up.
2. Select safe mode (the version of windows you want to use click XP wait
until it loads the welcome screen.
3. Select Administrator and it will log you on as administrator without a
password (provided a password was not created in this hidden account during
setup).
4. Go to Start - Control Panel - User Accounts.
5. Select your name and click change the password.
Then you should be able to change the type of your account here, shut down the computer and
restart in normal mode.

****

If you have XP Pro on your computer:-

1. At the log in screen type " ctrl-alt-delete " twice.
2. In the User Account, type Administrator
3. Leave the password blank and press enter.
(Most likely a password wasn't created in this hidden account during setup).
4. Proceed as above.

If you decide to set a password it is recommended that you create a
Password Reset Disk by clicking on "Prevent a Forgotten Password" link in
the left pane. The Wizard will guide you through.

Hope this helps

willby,

Do you have the most recent version of Adobe Acrobat? Many programs also needed updates to work properly with WindowsXP. Especially those that use plugins, like the PDF plugin.

I would keep Service Pack 2, even though it does create problems for some programs. Most of the probelms are caused by software developers taking advantage of sloppy security in previous Windows versions. Now Microsoft is going to force them to clean up their programs a little bit. If more users demand fixes, it will happen sooner.

goates

Hi Goates and all who have replied. Thanks for all the advice but I,m still in trouble. I have the latest adobe reader V.602 and have deleted and reloaed it without success. I thought the problem might be "Spyblaster" so I disabled it while downloading . I also have Norton 2005 and tried disabling it but nothing seems to make a difference. I can use the adobe reader from Outlook express ok.
At the moment I am trawling every discussion site I can find for clues!
Willby

Present status: Still can't open .pdf documents in IE6. However downloaded Firefox browser and have no problems opening .pdf files so at least that would indicate problem has nothing to do with any of my anti-virus tools i.e Norton 2005 and Spyblaster.
Willby

Willby

Nice to see you are getting good advice. Hey guys, anyone got an idea as to what my problem might be?

Hi
A final update on my problem: After successfully editing the registery and removing the offending item I am now fully operational again and able to open .pdf files in IE6 ok.

Sparkie,
Sorry to see that you have'nt received any suggestions re your problem. Might I suggest that you go to microsoft .com and then look for "community newsgroups". In there are lots of different discussion groups ( I posted in the IE6 section) with lots of expertise on everything concerning windows. It was there I eventually got sorted.
Thanks to all who replied , your assistance was appreciated.
Willby

If you start acrobat reader stand alone, then look under edit, preferences, internet you will find a box "display pdf in browser"
if that is not ticked you can get the problem you described.

Hi Stickby,
I should probably have made clear in my original post that I had this option selected in the "preferences" in adobe reader itself and still could,nt open .pdf files but as you suggest this should be the first thing to check if experiencing IE/pdf problems
Willby

If you do the rounds of the download sites and read the reviews and opinions of Acrobat Reader 6 therein, you would never install it. A majority appear to condemn it as a total mishmash and can't wait to get back to Version 5.

This is something from left field which may or may not have anything remotely to do with your problem, but I'll pass it on for interest's sake anyway.

Willby

Thanks but I have managed to sort out the problem by trial and error

take care