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_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
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    69 replies

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    _Dominic_Hurley_
    Participating Frequently
    August 18, 2008
    Gary, you didn't install ATM4.0 did you? Or remove 4.1?
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    _Thomas_C_Rogers_Author
    Participating Frequently
    August 18, 2008
    I can't install OT either. I don't have a TT to try. I tried repairing/re-installing XP without completely removing it, but it didn't work. My thought now is to try to set up a partition on my hard drive, install a clean version of XP to that, load my fonts, move all my data files, remove the current XP and then remove the partition on the drive. So to answer the last question, no it hasn't been resolved....
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    _GaryBlakely_
    Participating Frequently
    August 18, 2008
    Was this ever resolved? This suddenly and mysteriously started happening on my Win2k3 Server machine. The fonts are definitely good, direct off the ol' ATM Deluxe CD I get the same error. I'm baffled and in a former life I was an Adobe Type Support Tech...????
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    _Dominic_Hurley_
    Participating Frequently
    August 10, 2008
    Can you install OT and TT fonts okay? If you just need to use the T1 fonts in the Adobe apps, you could install them in the Adobe fonts folder, but at the moment I'm guessing that you're looking at a reinstall of Windows.
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    _Thomas_C_Rogers_Author
    Participating Frequently
    August 7, 2008
    I just reloaded ATM Light 4.1, rebooted, same error message I mentioned earlier....

    And when I try to install it through the Windows font folder I get the same message from that approach that I mentioned earlier.

    Trying it both ways, when I open the directory where the fonts are, whether it's the d: drive or a folder on my hard drive where I also have them, ATM and Windows pulls them up in the list to be added, but then when I select all of them and hit ok, it gives me the error code for every different font I try to load (plain, italics, bold, caps, etc.)

    I'm not sure I'm going to find a solution, but I really do appreciate the feedback.

    Thanks,
    Tom
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    _Thomas_C_Rogers_Author
    Participating Frequently
    August 7, 2008
    I just reloaded ATM Light 4.1, rebooted, same error message I mentioend earlier....

    And when I try to install it through the Windows font folder I get the same message from that approach that I mentioned earlier.

    Trying it both ways, when I open the directory where the fonts are, whether it's the d: drive or a folder on my hard drive where I also have them, ATM and Windows pulls them up in the list to be added, but then when I select all of them and hit ok, it gives me the error code for every different font I try to load (plain, italics, bold, caps, etc.)

    I'm not sure I'm going to find a solution, but I really do appreciate the feedback.

    Thanks,
    Tom
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    _Thomas_C_Rogers_Author
    Participating Frequently
    August 7, 2008
    Thanks for the quick responses. I failed to mention that the fonts are legit, and to be sure there were no problems with the files I installed them on another computer with XP and had no problems. I also downloaded a free font from fontshop.com and had the same problem. I really only have two font sets that I need to install (Helvetica and TheSans), but the problem is occuring with anything I try to install.
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    _Herb_V_B_
    Participating Frequently
    August 7, 2008
    You might try re-instlling ATM Light 4.1. Download a fresh copy and
    reboot after instllation.

    I use it happily under XP (silly reasons - I like being able to click
    on either the .pfm OR the .pfb to display a font and a couple of minor
    others)


    - Herb
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    _Herb_V_B_
    Participating Frequently
    August 7, 2008
    In addition to Dominic's comments, are both the .pfm and associated
    .pfb files in the same folder that you're installing from?

    There are MANY older Type 1 font files, including some from reputable
    quality vendors, that XP balks at. They can often be repaired by
    passing them through something like Transtype or FontLab (just opening
    them and saving them). There are some fonts whose names need to be
    changed because of length or the presence of invalid characters.

    - Herb
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    _Dominic_Hurley_
    Participating Frequently
    August 7, 2008
    Have you considered the possibility that the font files are, in fact, invalid? XP and W2K are a lot more picky about fonts than previous Windows OSs and will reject dodgy fonts. Does this affect all your fonts or just some? Were they free fonts downloaded from the net? If so, they may well be badly pirated copies or just badly made amateur efforts. I've not heard before of the registry fix not working, so I wouldn't place my suspicions there, especially since you reinstalled Windows. Can you load these fonts on other PCs?
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