Can't open PDF attachements from Outlook Express

[Annice]

I just set up a new computer running XP Pro. Adobe Reader 8.1 is installed.
If I get an e-mail with a PDF attachment and ask to open it, it says "unknown
file type." However, if I save the file and double-click on it, it opens in
Adobe Reader.

I went to Folder Options, and the PDF extension was not listed, so I added
it and asked it to open with Adobe Reader 8.1. However, it just calls it a
PDF file, rather than an Adobe Acrobat file, so something must be messed up
somewhere.

Any help you can offer will be appreciated.

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

Any help you can offer will be appreciated.

What's your email client?

Take your question to a group that supports it. Your question doesn't
belong here.

 

[Annice]

Thanks for nothing, Your display name is certainly appropriate.

There have been a number of similar queries posted to this group in the past
and I didn't think I was doing anything heinous by posting mine here.

 

[PA Bear]

Was the message with the PDF attachment sent by a user of MS Outlook using
RichText or HTML format?
--
OE-specific newsgroup:
news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.outlookexpress.general

~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

Hi Annice,

Which mail client do you use?

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


I just set up a new computer running XP Pro. Adobe Reader 8.1 is installed.
If I get an e-mail with a PDF attachment and ask to open it, it says "unknown
file type." However, if I save the file and double-click on it, it opens in
Adobe Reader.

I went to Folder Options, and the PDF extension was not listed, so I added
it and asked it to open with Adobe Reader 8.1. However, it just calls it a
PDF file, rather than an Adobe Acrobat file, so something must be messed up
somewhere.

Any help you can offer will be appreciated.

 

[Anna]

I just set up a new computer running XP Pro. Adobe Reader 8.1 is
installed.
If I get an e-mail with a PDF attachment and ask to open it, it says
"unknown
file type." However, if I save the file and double-click on it, it opens
in
Adobe Reader.

I went to Folder Options, and the PDF extension was not listed, so I added
it and asked it to open with Adobe Reader 8.1. However, it just calls it
a
PDF file, rather than an Adobe Acrobat file, so something must be messed
up
somewhere.

Any help you can offer will be appreciated.

Annice:
Assuming you're using Outlook Express...

http://windowsxp.mvps.org/ppsopen.htm

==================================
PPSFix (v2.0) for Windows XP
Copyright © 2007 Ramesh Srinivasan
Website: http://windowsxp.mvps.org
==================================

PPSFix - Description
====================

PPSFix utility fixes a problem where users receive file association
errors when opening a PPS or a PPT file attachment directly from
Outlook Express. This utility adds the "open" verb for PPS and/or
PPT file types to resolve the error.

More details are available at the following URL:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/ppsopen.htm

Requirements
============
1. Needs administrative privileges to run.
2. System running Windows® XP (SP2) with PowerPoint Viewer 2003 or 2007
installed.

v2.0 - Feb 04, 2007

(We've run into the same problem you've described a number of times with
various systems and Ramesh's "fix" has corrected the problem.
Anna

 

[PA Bear]

Annice:
Assuming you're using Outlook Express...

http://windowsxp.mvps.org/ppsopen.htm

<psst> Annice is using OE according to the subject but her problem is with
PDF files, not PowerPoint (PPS; PPT) files.

 

[Annice]

I really don't know what program they used. The e-mail was from an
organization.

 

[Anna]

<psst> Annice is using OE according to the subject but her problem is with
PDF files, not PowerPoint (PPS; PPT) files.

PA Bear (and Annice):
Yes, you're correct. I misread her query thinking she was referring to a
PowerPoint file, so the "fix" I recommended is not relevant to her problem.
My regrets.
Anna

 

[PA Bear]

Can you open the attachment if you forward the message (w/attachment) to
yourself? Otherwise, ask them to resend using Plain Text format.

 

[Unknown]

Have you tried RIGHT clicking on the file and then selecting Adobe? (open
with)

 

[Annice]

Thanks to everyone who tried to help. My husband, who's no computer expert,
suggested reinstalling Adobe Reader. I uninstalled it, then reinstalled it,
and the problem is now solved. Why didn't I think of that!

Annice

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

Thanks to everyone who tried to help.  My husband, who's no computer expert,
suggested reinstalling Adobe Reader.  I uninstalled it, then reinstalledit,
and the problem is now solved.   Why didn't I think of that!

Because your husband - "who's no computer expert" - is obviously more
expert than you are?