Adobe Reader

Rik · Feb 12, 2008, 10:15:54

Quote from: Noreen on Feb 12, 2008, 10:07:14
I can't understand why Adobe Reader 8 won't open when it appeared to install without a problem, apparently In had a similar problem.

I suspect it hasn't completely hooked in to the OS.

Noreen · Feb 12, 2008, 10:24:34

In, am I right in thinking that Foxit doesn't actually "install" onto the computer?

Inactive · Feb 12, 2008, 10:27:34

Noreen, you should know better than ask me anything complicated.....it just works on mine.

( I believe it does install ).

Rik · Feb 12, 2008, 10:31:26

I suspect, Noreen, that Foxit installs to the browser, ie it won't be available anywhere else. I'll go take a look...

Later: The name mislead me, it's a standalone, not a Firefox addon.

Noreen · Feb 12, 2008, 10:42:23

My Foxit is running straight from the downloaded unzipped file, there doesn't appear to be any HD installation.

Rik · Feb 12, 2008, 10:44:45

Has it created any file associations, ie if you double-click on a PDF file, does that file opne with it? If so, it's made some registry entries.

Inactive · Feb 12, 2008, 10:46:09

It is listed in my programmes list with an uninstall option, so I guess it is installed Noreen.

Noreen · Feb 12, 2008, 10:56:38

Yes I associated it with PDF files.

It's not in my Add or Remove Programs so no uninstall process, not in Start either. I just stored it away and installed an icon in the toolbar, seems to be working quite happily like that. I've just tried it, uninstall is just by deleting it.

Rik · Feb 12, 2008, 10:58:18

I wonder how it would handle file associations on deletion, then? IOW, there doesn't appear to be an easy way to reset them.

Inactive · Feb 12, 2008, 11:02:45

Quote from: Noreen on Feb 12, 2008, 10:56:38

It's not in my Add or Remove Programs so no uninstall process, not in Start either. I just stored it away and installed an icon in the toolbar, seems to be working quite happily like that. I've just tried it, uninstall is just by deleting it.

Fair enough Noreen, as long as it works, I suppose it doesn't matter if it is installed or not, I recall that it is a tiny download in comparison to Adobe.

Noreen · Feb 12, 2008, 11:05:52

I've just downloaded the manual, Rik. The zip download doesn't need to be installed, the exe download does. It seems necessary to have the manual as there seem to be no help files.

Quote1. ZIP Format

If you download the ―foxitreader22.zip‖ file to your computer, all you need to do is
UNZIP and DOUBLE CLICK the FoxitReader.exe application file. You can start using
it right away. This format requires no installation.

Rik · Feb 12, 2008, 11:14:49

Curious. I'm still left wondering how you are meant, except by manual editing, to change file associations if you remove it.

Noreen · Feb 12, 2008, 11:29:11

Don't many programs ask you if you want to make it the default program during installation or there is often an option in the program. I can't tell with Adobe Reader which is still installed at the moment as I can't open it.) Foxit asked me but I can't remember exactly when.

Rik · Feb 12, 2008, 11:36:21

Generally thy do, Noreen. However, you haven't installed Foxit, but it seems to have made itself the default reader, so I'm guessing you would manually have to edit the PDF associations if you removed it.

Noreen · Feb 12, 2008, 11:41:48

It didn't make itself the default reader, Rik, it asked me if I wanted to make it the default reader and I did. There is also an option to make it the default program or not within the program

Rik · Feb 12, 2008, 11:43:51

So, presumably, before deleting it, you would have to choose not to have it as the default?

Noreen · Feb 12, 2008, 12:02:21

It says to just delete the program in the manual, Rik, no mention of the default issue. However I've just done a Google search and did find someone on a forum who recommended making your new PDF Reader the default before deleting Foxit.

Rik · Feb 12, 2008, 12:14:03

That would make sense, Noreen.

madasahatter · Feb 12, 2008, 16:15:03

Call me stupid (everybody else does

), but won't the file associations automatically default back to Adobe, if that's still installed?

Or have I missed something here?

Rik · Feb 12, 2008, 16:24:20

Not usually. Windows doesn't keep a record of file associations that have been set, only ones that are set. Once an app over-writes a previous setting, the associations have to be restored manually, or by re-installing another app, eg Reader. There's nothing to stop an installer making a note of the original settings and restoring them when uninstalling, but I've never met one that does.

madasahatter · Feb 12, 2008, 16:37:36

Ok - just that I thought that had happened on my PC before with some media players I was trying out. Never mind.

Not very often I'm right, but I'm wrong again

Rik · Feb 12, 2008, 16:39:41

As I say, technically it can be done by an installer, but Windows itself has no 'memory' unless you use System Restore.

Noreen · Feb 12, 2008, 17:57:39

Rik, I tried to change the present default setting from within Foxit just as an experiment and got a message that I needed to make another Reader the default, so it appears that the option is actually only to make Foxit the default over another Reader.

Rik · Feb 12, 2008, 18:07:41

Interesting. Now you need to get Reader working and see what it makes of the situation.

Noreen · Feb 12, 2008, 18:26:48

OK, how?

I did also post this Adobe problem on another forum but the only answer I've received so far is a suggestion is to use the "repair" option in Add or Remove Program.