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_klouie_
Participant
March 25, 2009
Question

Adobe Reader 9.1 - Fatal Error : Acrobat failed to connect a DDE server

  • March 25, 2009
  • 6 replies
  • 77665 views
Hi Everyone,

I have some users telling me that when they try to open a pdf attachment in Outlook 2007. Nothing happens. The system just sits there as if you did not click on the attachment. If you wait long enought a popup box from adobe reader comes up and says:

Fatal Error

Acrobat failed to connect a DDE server.

All the PDFs are very simple, just simple scanned images or converted over from a document into a PDF.

I've tried repairing the install and still had no luck - same behaviour. The only way the pdf opens is if we go into task manager and close the AcroRd32.exe process or logoff and log back in.

If it helps, the most recent system change was the upgrade to IE7 and a new anti-virus software.

Thanks,

KEvin
    This topic has been closed for replies.

    6 replies

    E
    Exnihilo
    Participating Frequently
    June 2, 2010

    No solution I am afraid but same problem, running full version of AVG and problem hit immediately after Adobe Reader 9.1 upgrade.  Pretty darn sure problem is in the upgrade but the relevant Restore Point was overwritten before I figured it out.  Any advice welcome.

    E
    ErnstHopp
    Participant
    October 26, 2009

    I installed LOGMEIN today and started getting the Fatal Errors:Acrobat failed to connect a DDE server.  So, it is not just the Sophos or whatever the previous common denominator seemed to be.  How  do I fix this?

    Thanks

    K
    KevinLouie
    Participant
    April 16, 2009

    It look like we found the issue. It was sophos with it's application control. We had to turn off the on-access scanning for the application control policy. Now the PDFs open fine now.

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    _Vnh_
    Participant
    March 27, 2009
    I've seen 3 cases this past couple of weeks. Users have been using Adobe Reader 9.0, Sophos, and IE 7 without problems. All 3 started getting this error after they went to Reader 9.1.

    For the first 2, after I ended all the AcroRd32.exe processes, and had them reboot, I haven't heard back from them since. It's been a few days. For this third one, I just ended the processes so I will have to wait and see if the user calls back. Seems like the problem is with the new 9.1 update.
    _
    _klouie_Author
    Participant
    March 26, 2009
    Wow, we upgrade to Sophos Anti-virus as well.

    It looks like things are pointing towards Sophos.
    Our Cisco VPN clients are having issues connecting back into the office after the upgrade to Sophos.
    _
    _Paul_J_Reynolds_
    Participant
    March 26, 2009
    Hi I am also getting the same error message also upgraded to IE7 and using Sophos Anti Virus...

    Fatal Error

    Acrobat failed to connect a DDE server.
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