Why can't I read pdf files? Windows 98 SE system.

If you don't have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed, an alternative I like for older Windows machines like yours (or even newer machines) is Foxit Reader. It loads fast and runs fast and can handle most PDF files.

If you have Reader or Foxit installed and still can't read PDFs, it's probably because your PC isn't associating the pdf suffix with the right program. I'm primarily a Mac user and don't have access to a Win machine right now, but as I recall, you can click with the right mouse button and select what program to open a file with there. You can also tell Windows to always open a file of type PDF with Acrobat Reader (or Foxit Reader).

You need to install or reinstall your PDF reader.

Here's a link to all the old versions. I "think" version 8 will work with Win98. If not, uninstall and try 7.0... keep going backwards till you get one that works cleanly with your OS.

Old Version of Adobe Acrobat Reader Download (http://www.oldapps.com/acrobat_reader.htm)

Again, since you have an older machine, I'd recommend Foxit Reader (http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/rd_intro.php) over Adobe Acrobat Reader for everyday use. The Adobe Reader is a resource hog: slow even on the latest machines, In my opinion. Download both... I use Acrobat Reader only when Foxit (on Windows) or Preview (on Mac) is missing some feature I need.

Thanks, All for the tips.

Well, I couldn't find Foxit that would install on my OS. I did install Acrobat 3.0, and when I attempt to open the pdf files it shows the reader coming up, but then tells me that it can't read the file. The 3.0 seems to be the latest version that will install on this Windows 98.
Any ideas?

Here's a download link (http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,62648-page,1-c,office/description.html) from PC World for Foxit Reader. It should work with Win98.

Vasily

Nertz! I have Adobe 3.0 AND Foxit installed, and still can't read these files. Something elese is going on. (Foxit is default)

If the PDF file was created with version 8, the older versions have trouble reading it. Nothing you can do about that. You think Adobe wants you to upgrade and spend more money?

Chuckhole has a point... you might try converting the PDF to an earlier version with this utility (http://www.filetransit.com/view.php?id=26889) (freeware) to see if you can read it. (you might lose some information in converting backwards like this - e.g. features added in later versions won't be supported in an earlier version - but it might be worth a try)

Vasily

OK. Now I have been able to read one file that I couldn't before. I think I've missed something. The files that I can't read now are an ebook and they are zip files. Does this require a different reader? If I need a later Adobe or Foxit, I'm finding that my machine does not support these without Windows 2000 4 pack. I tried downloading that, but the time was so long that I lost the connection twice and gave up.

WinZip® - Select a Product Download (http://www.winzip.com/prod_down.htm)

Says it's not free, but it has essentially a "forever" trial period. Pay for it if you want/use it a lot. Your call.

If you'd like an open source free alternative to WinZip, try out 7-Zip (http://www.7-zip.org/). Just as good as WinZip In my opinion and the price is right. :)

Vasily