Can't display protected PDF docs

[JP]

I have an XP desktop and Vista notebook. They both use the same AVG 8.5
Security Suit, IE 7 and the same Adobe Reader 8 version, with the same
config options as far as I can tell. Yet, my Vista laptop has no problem
displaying protected PDF financial statements from the Scottrade and
Costco web sites, where the XP desktop would only display a blank in the
popup window in place of the PDF document. There is no error message
that would clue me in as to why this may be happening. On most other web
sites I don't have this problem, though they tend to be not secure
sites.
What does XP do differently in this regard than Vista?
J. P.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I have an XP desktop and Vista notebook. They both use the same AVG
8.5 Security Suit, IE 7 and the same Adobe Reader 8 version, with
the same config options as far as I can tell. Yet, my Vista laptop
has no problem displaying protected PDF financial statements from
the Scottrade and Costco web sites, where the XP desktop would only
display a blank in the popup window in place of the PDF document.
There is no error message that would clue me in as to why this may
be happening. On most other web sites I don't have this problem,
though they tend to be not secure sites.
What does XP do differently in this regard than Vista?

Uninstall Adobe Acrobat Reader on the Windows XP machine.
Install the latest Adobe Acrobat Reader on the XP machine.
(9.1.0 I believe.)

 

[JP]

Uninstall Adobe Acrobat Reader on the Windows XP machine.
Install the latest Adobe Acrobat Reader on the XP machine.
(9.1.0 I believe.)

I've done it. The problem still persists.
jp

 

[JP]

Uninstall Adobe Acrobat Reader on the Windows XP machine.
Install the latest Adobe Acrobat Reader on the XP machine.
(9.1.0 I believe.)

It just occured to me to check the systems requirements for the Adobe
Reader and perhaps lack of sufficient processing power is the cause in
my old XP desktop. The Reader specifies 1.3 GHz CPU and mine's got only
850 MHz. But then, why is that reader working fine with other,
non-protected PDF docs? Is it due perhaps to the extra processing power
needed for en/decryption?
pj

 

[Al Falfa]

It just occured to me to check the systems requirements for the Adobe
Reader and perhaps lack of sufficient processing power is the cause in
my old XP desktop. The Reader specifies 1.3 GHz CPU and mine's got only
850 MHz. But then, why is that reader working fine with other,
non-protected PDF docs? Is it due perhaps to the extra processing power
needed for en/decryption?

In a similar vein, I have an app which works at the highest clock-rate,
yet at a lower clock-rate, it throws a hissy fit. This number cruncher is
not a real-time app, nor is it IO-bound. Go figure!

 

[Bill Sharpe]

It just occured to me to check the systems requirements for the Adobe
Reader and perhaps lack of sufficient processing power is the cause in
my old XP desktop. The Reader specifies 1.3 GHz CPU and mine's got only
850 MHz. But then, why is that reader working fine with other,
non-protected PDF docs? Is it due perhaps to the extra processing power
needed for en/decryption?
pj

You might give FoxIt Reader a try -- smaller, faster than Acrobat
Reader, but may not display protected files at all.

Bill

 

[JP]

You might give FoxIt Reader a try -- smaller, faster than Acrobat
Reader, but may not display protected files at all.

Then I would be in the same hole I am now. I should have upgraded my old
desktop a long time ago, but decided to wait till Win 7 comes out. Till
then it works with most things I need it for, even if a bit slow. Heck,
it even works with other apps that specify a more powerful CPU than what
I have, but not with protected PDF files. I guess I'll have to use my
notebook for those. I wonder if Adobe would confirm my take on this
problem, but I doubt I could get hold of somebody who would actually
answer it.
J. P.

 

[Bill Sharpe]

Then I would be in the same hole I am now. I should have upgraded my old
desktop a long time ago, but decided to wait till Win 7 comes out. Till
then it works with most things I need it for, even if a bit slow. Heck,
it even works with other apps that specify a more powerful CPU than what
I have, but not with protected PDF files. I guess I'll have to use my
notebook for those. I wonder if Adobe would confirm my take on this
problem, but I doubt I could get hold of somebody who would actually
answer it.
J. P.

Note that I said Foxit "may not" not "would not" display protected
files. It depends on what level of protection has been applied.

Adobe has a rather active forum at forums.adobe.com. You've got to
register to post questions but you'll probably get some response there
from other users.

Bill

 

[JP]

Note that I said Foxit "may not" not "would not" display protected
files. It depends on what level of protection has been applied.

Adobe has a rather active forum at forums.adobe.com. You've got to
register to post questions but you'll probably get some response there
from other users.

Thanks, I'll try it.
J.P.