Computer (eMac) help please....I'm new to macs and not sure how to fix my

[masmdu]

problem.

Until a couple of weeks ago any time I'd open a .pfd file the eMac would open it with an apple application called "preview".

Recently, "preview" acts as though its starting up but then fails to open the .pdf

I've done nothing to alter any applications or setting so this seems strange. Any ideas on how I can get it back to how it was so that "preview" opens .pdfs again?

(currently I have to open acrobate reader seperately and then choose the .pdf...that is to say the .pdf suffix doesn't seem to be associated with an application any more)

Any ideas ?

[dogman]

1. Try repair permissions in disk utility?

[burythehatchet]

2. I'm no tekkie but

maybe you want to download a fresh versioin of acrobat and then choose it as your default app during setup

[Zech Marquis]

3. it's not a hardware problem

I had to download Adob's reader to get my 1040 online. I supec that you're using Jaguar like me? Becaus 10.3 has an u[dated version of Preview...try to open it again--put ASdobe in the trash or something, and when your eMacs asks you" whci appication should I use to opn pdf files", you should get a window panel and be able to select Preview...hope that hlps.

[htuttle]

4. (swinging in through the window on a rope)

I intercepted your call to Central Services.

Here's a couple of things to try

1) First, figure out why it's happening. Launch the Console program in /Applications/Utilities, and see if it logs anything new while you try to open Preview by double-clicking on a PDF. If you PM me the log stuff that it says when it tries to launch (not the whole log), I could probably tell you what it means.

2) You can change the default application for a particular file type in the Get Info window for the file. Select the file in the Finder, and choose Get Info. One of the categories is 'Open with:'. You can expand it and use the popup menu to change the default application (either for that file, or all files of that type).

lf you've ever done an 'Archive and Install' type upgrade, and left the Previous System folder around, it might be launching an older, incompatible version of Preview. Don't know why it would suddenly start doing that, but that's all that comes to mind at the moment. You might try launching the current version of Preview (in /Applications) by itself before you double click on the document, and see if that works.

(swings back out the window on a rope)

[FlashHarry]

Is that "Buttle," with a "B?"

:)

By the way, I'm typing this on a G4 iBook. I was a PC person for years; now I'm back on a Mac... and I love it!

[htuttle]

7. One of the things I like about Macs:

Less paperwork...

;)

[Zorro]

5. Find the file you want to open

Click on it one time to select (but not open) it.

Select File/Open With from the Finder pull-down menu.

Select "Other", and your application folder apps should pop up.

Select Acrobat Reader, and also check the box on the menu that says something like "always open with".

Alternatively, select the .pdf file you want to open.

Go to File/Get Info. You will see something similar to the above steps to also set acrobat reader to always open .pdf files.

BTW Preview is used for opening pictures (.jpgs, etc.).

Hope this helps.

[many a good man]

6. You can't fix it.

Macs can't be fixed. Have to buy a PC if you want to do that...

[gold_bug]

8. which OS are you using?

The version of Preview that comes with Jaguar chokes on some PDFs, you'll have to use Adobe Reader for them. But the version of Preview that comes with Panther is much better, it can open almost any PDF. (That's based on my own experiences).

But if you're having this problem with all PDF files then obviously something's really wrong with your Preview app, not the particular PDF files.

BTW, PDF files, like all files, have both a type and creator setting, if you use a tool such as TypeShuffler you can set the creator of particular PDFs to "CARO" so they open in Acrobat when you double-click them. (on edit: I guess you can do that with the Get Info panel).

[BlackVelvetElvis]

9. This should open the file

Put Acrobat Reader on your dock and drag the file to the Reader icon. It should open in Reader instead of Preview.