IE6 stops displaying pdf files

[cup]

When I first started using IE6, if a link was to a .pdf file, it automatically launched the Adobe Acrobat Reader and I could look at the file. Somehow, my system has lost something in that whenever the link is a .pdf file, it downloads but all I see is an icon. I can no longer see the .pdf file.

Any idea what I have to do to IE to restore the automatic launch of acrobat?

[Kdr Kane]

Two things:

Run the command regsvr32 urlmon.dll. There is no feedback. It should start working again.

Upgrade Acrobat Reader to version 5.0 so it doesn't happen again.

[cup]

Thanks for your suggestions. I'm already using Acrobat Reader 5.05 and it works when I double click on a pdf file. It just doesn't work when a URL specifies a pdf file.

I ran the regsvr thing but it didn't seem to help. The only other thing I can try is to figure out where IE6 downloads the file to and then use the acrobat reader to read it from the disk.

[Kdr Kane]

hmm...

Then it must be a different problem.

Look in the Acrobat Reader menu under Edit -> Preferences -> Options. See if changing the Web Browser Options fixes your problem.

[cup]

Yes - that was the first thing I tried but it didn't fix the problem. That is one of the more publicised methods that google picks up from all the FAQs/Forums. Changed it one way, saved, rebooted and all the permutations you can do but still nothing popped up. Thanks for your help anyway.

[Kdr Kane]

You could try this. It isn't very elegant and I don't really know why it works. That's why I didn't post it in the first place.

This is a file I named adobe.reg. It's made for Windows 2000/XP. You'd have to change the version for a different OS.Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AcroExch.Document\shell\open\ddeexec]
@="FileOpenEx(\"%1\")"

[cup]

Where does this file normally live? I did a search on my system (including the recycle bin) and I can't find it at all. Maybe something deleted it permanently and I have to re-create it. Only problem is I don't know where to put it.

[Kdr Kane]

There is no file like that on your system. If you double-click on a *.reg file, the registry entry will be added. You would cut and paste that "code" and save it as adobe.reg. Then just double-click on it.

Alternatively, you could examine your registry with regedit.exe and check the registry entry to see if it's there.

I've attached the file if you want to try it.

[cup]

Thanks - I'll give it a go when my kids come off the machine.