Skip to main content
_
_Thomas_C_Rogers_
Participating Frequently
August 7, 2008
Question

Unable to install Type 1 fonts in Windows XP

  • August 7, 2008
  • 69 replies
  • 44519 views
I'm having problems loading Type 1 fonts into Windows XP. I loaded ATM 4.1 light and get the following error message when trying to load the fonts through it: 'Cannot activate font <fontname>. The font files are invalid.'<br /><br />I've removed ATM 4.1 from my computer and ran the ATM 4.1 light updater to fix the registry problem, but now get the following error message when trying to load the fonts through the windows font folder: 'Unable to install the <fontname> font. File "D:\fontname___.pfm is either invalid or damaged"' <br /><br />So I'm thinking that the registry is not completely fixed as it seems the .pfm files are not being associated properly. I've tried re installing windows and that did nothing. I would really prefer not to have to re format the hard drive and start from scratch as I already had to do that with this brand new Dell laptop due to issues with MS Office. I guess that's my worst case scenario. I also have Adobe Photoshop CS2, Illustrator CS2, and Acrobat Pro 8.0 on the computer. I don't think any of those would be causing my problems, but I mention it in case might. <br /><br />Does anyone have any ideas of how I can fix this problem? Thanks, Tom
    This topic has been closed for replies.

    69 replies

    Show previous replies
    T
    Thomas Phinney
    Inspiring
    September 25, 2008
    Dov is correct. I am quite certain that nobody at Adobe did any updates to that code for Windows 2003 SP2.... Also, it's likely there were no significant updates by MS, either: it may have just gone through a newer compiler or something.

    T
    _
    _GaryBlakely_
    Participating Frequently
    September 25, 2008
    That's unfortunate...
    _
    _GaryBlakely_
    Participating Frequently
    September 25, 2008
    However, it is atmfd.dll that handles the type 1 fonts, and Adobe is listed as the manufacturer of this dll even though it is part of the windows OS. Unless Adobe has entirely turned over the development of atmfd.dll to MS but left their name on it (which is unlikely, I suspect there is a partnership development agreement somewhere and that someone in some cubible somewhere in San Jose still has a hand in this code). And, atmfd.dll was updated with SP2 for win2k3 (probably XP as well). Clearly some coordination amongst all three companies would be ideal.
    Dov Isaacs
    Dov Isaacs
    Legend
    September 25, 2008
    Ever since Windows 2000, it has been fully maintained by Microsoft. No one in San Jose (or any other Adobe location) still "has a hand in this code."

    - Dov
    - Dov Isaacs, former Adobe Principal Scientist (April 30, 1990 - May 30, 2021)
    _
    _Youtou_Ko_
    Participating Frequently
    September 25, 2008
    thanks Dov.
    i just wanted to arouse attention to this bug because it is affecting a lot of people yet there's still no solution.
    i am so stuck that i'm planning to do sell this laptop and buy another one!
    _
    _Aandi_Inston_
    Participating Frequently
    September 25, 2008
    So, did you contact the PC/video card manufacturer yet?

    Aandi Inston
    _
    _Youtou_Ko_
    Participating Frequently
    September 25, 2008
    i have confirmed that the fonts install without problem after i uninstall the video drivers.

    once the video drivers are installed again, the problem comes back.

    as of today, i still havent found any way to solve this problem....help!
    Dov Isaacs
    Dov Isaacs
    Legend
    September 25, 2008
    Unfortunately, this problem really requires some coordination between Microsoft and your video card manufacturer. Adobe is not involved in providing the software for installation of Type 1 fonts.

    What I do suspect, though, is that the video driver is somehow trying to accelerate the rendering of fonts, but only supports TrueType, and in the process of intercepting the font rendering is somehow shutting down full system support of Type 1.

    Anyway, contact both Microsoft and your video card supplier (and if the video card was bundled with your computer, your computer manufacturer). This is truly a high severity bug on the part of one or more of them.

    Sorry, but Adobe can't assist with this.

    - Dov
    - Dov Isaacs, former Adobe Principal Scientist (April 30, 1990 - May 30, 2021)
    _
    _GaryBlakely_
    Participating Frequently
    September 21, 2008
    Have you already confirmed that you can add Type 1 fonts in VGA mode? (Hit F8 as your computer starts up to chose that start option, it will be ugly, but it will confirm the issue is video).
    _
    _Youtou_Ko_
    Participating Frequently
    September 21, 2008
    no luck at all with both suggestions.
    the search for truth goes on.
    _
    _GaryBlakely_
    Participating Frequently
    September 19, 2008
    Another option is to check windows update (using the custom rather than express option) to see if there have been any MS WHQL drivers released for the card. I took a look at the HP site to see if they had any drivers for this chipset (since Samsung didn't), but no luck.

    You might be stuck for a while, but such is life on the bleeding edge...

    Gary
    _
    _Youtou_Ko_
    Participating Frequently
    September 19, 2008
    SAMSUNG R460
    _
    _GaryBlakely_
    Participating Frequently
    September 18, 2008
    What is the make and model of the laptop?
    Show more replies
    Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
    Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices