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timb_SATX
timb_SATX
Participant
February 20, 2017
Question

Reader starts 3 tasks - never opens a window

  • February 20, 2017
  • 1 reply
  • 1103 views

For several years, numerous versions of Reader, Windows 7 and now Windows 10, when I try to open a PCB schematic created with Altium,  Reader starts two Adobe Reader (32 bit) tasks and an Adobe Acrobat Update Service (32 bit) task, but a window to view the schematic is never rendered. I have used the AdobeAcroCleaner, I have uninstalled/reinstalled, I have deleted C:\Users\x\AppData\*\Adobe settings, and I have tried any other possible solution in the forums.  The problem persists.  I estimate 50% of the time I have to kill the tasks in Task Manager and then hope Reader will open the PCB schematic the second time.

I installed the 64-bit version of Reader, but the 32-bit tasks sit in Task Manager with no visible window.

I have Automatic Updates off, but the Update Service task still runs for some reason.

It's incredibly frustrating.

How to I determine what the three tasks are doing, what is causing Reader problems, and how to solve this problem?

As other submissions in the forums have noted, this affects productivity.  The reduced functionality of MS Edge or Chrome is better than the nondeterministic behavior and frustration with Reader.

    This topic has been closed for replies.

    1 reply

    Adorobat
    Adorobat
    Participating Frequently
    February 23, 2017

    Hi timb_satx,

    Could you please try launching Reader as an administrator and check if you are still experiencing issue opening the file?

    To do that, locate Reader's shortcut on the desktop>right click>Run as administrator

    Does this behavior is seen only with PCB schematic files or with other pdf files as well?

    timb_SATX
    timb_SATXAuthor
    Participant
    February 23, 2017

    >> Could you please try launching Reader as an administrator

    I tried opening schematic A by double clicking in Windows Explorer.  Adobe Reader XI created the three tasks but never rendered the schematic.  I killed the 3 tasks with Task Manager.  I right-click Run As Administrator - Adobe Reader and it opened schematic A just fine.  I exited Adobe Reader, and double clicked on schematic A in Windows Explorer, and now it opens just fine.

    I then double clicked in Windows Explorer on schematic B.  Similar behavior as with schematic A, except there were 2 Adobe tasks (no update task) in Task Manager but still no window.  Killed the 2 tasks in Task Manager, Run As Administrator and opened schematic B, close schematic B, and now double click in Windows Explorer, and schematic B opens fine.   I can now repeatedly open and close schematic A and B just fine from Windows Explorer.

    Try to double click schematic C - same behavior as the initial attempt on B.  2 tasks in Task Manager but no window.

    >> Does this behavior is seen only with PCB schematic files or with other pdf files as well?

    I'm not sure.  90% of the PDFs that I open from Windows Explorer are schematics generated from Altium.

    Adorobat
    Adorobat
    Participating Frequently
    March 9, 2017

    Hi timb_SATX,

    I am sorry for the delay in response.

    Could you please try changing following setting for Reader shortcut and see if that works?

    1- Close Reader.

    2- Locate Reader shortcut on the desktop>right-click>Properties>Compatibility tab.

    3- Check the box " Run this program as an administrator">Apply>OK.

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