Using Acrobat Reader  

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Most of the downloadable creative projects from HP are in Portable Document Format, or PDF. This is a file format developed by Adobe that preserves the exact layout of a document, no matter what computer platform the viewer is using or what application the original document was created in. PDFs are also compact for fast downloads. Because of this, PDF has become the preferred format for distributing large, graphics-intensive documents over the Internet.

While Adobe Acrobat, the software used to create PDFs, costs several hundred dollars, the Adobe Acrobat Reader used to view PDF documents is free and easily downloadable for Internet users. If you've already got an older version of Acrobat Reader on your computer, you should upgrade to the newest version, which offers many improved features. Downloading and installing Acrobat Reader is usually simple and quick, but here's a guide to resolving some common issues.

Most sites offering PDFs for download provide a link to Adobe's Acrobat Reader download site. If not, you can go to Adobe's site to download it to your computer. At the download site, you will be prompted to select your language, platform, and connection speed. When you click the "Download" button, be sure to remember where on your computer you save the file. Get more help downloading files.

The file you download will be an executable program, ending with .exe. (You may need to unzip the file first.) Click on it twice to begin the installation. It is recommended that you shut down any other applications that may be running before beginning the installation. Follow the onscreen prompts to complete the installation procedure. You may also wish to register your Acrobat Reader with Adobe to get the most up-to-date information about the program.

Once installation is complete, double-click on the Adobe Acrobat Reader icon to open the program. Double-clicking on any PDF should also automatically open the document within Acrobat Reader. When you surf the Web, PDFs should now open automatically in your browser when you click on the link. If you have successfully installed Acrobat Reader, you're now ready to view and print all our creative projects.

If you have trouble downloading the file:

• Try a different download site, such as download.com or tucows.com.
  
• Download the file when the Internet is less busy (late at night or early in the morning).
  
• Use a different browser.

If you have trouble installing the application:

• Make sure your computer meets the minimum requirements to run the program. These should be listed on the download page.
  
• Make sure the file was downloaded completely, and ensure that it is not damaged. If you're not sure, download the file again.
  
• Free memory to make room for the installation. Empty your Recycle Bin, run Disk Cleanup (Start > Programs > Accessories > System Utilities) to delete temporary files, delete any unused programs and files (or transfer them to removable storage), and run Disk Defragmenter.

If you have trouble viewing PDF files in Acrobat Reader:

• Make sure the file you downloaded isn't damaged or incomplete. An unstable Internet connection can disrupt a download.
  
• Make sure your computer has enough free RAM to open the file. Close other windows and applications, empty your Recycle Bin, or run Disk Cleanup. It may help to restart your computer.
  
• If you still can't open the file or it will not load completely, contact the author or download site to report a problem.