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June 30, 2009
Answered

Why does WinXP think all OpenType files are corrupted?

  • June 30, 2009
  • 2 replies
  • 8660 views

I'm trying to install an OpenType font in WinXP (Inconsolata).  When I select the file in the font installation dialog, it just says "Unable to install the ... font. The font file may be damaged. Check with your vendor about obtaining a new file."  I'm getting the .otf file from http://www.levien.com/type/myfonts/inconsolata.html. I've also tried http://moorstation.org/typoasis/designers/steffmann/samples/a/albert.htm with the same result. I've tried downloading the file (from Firefox) several times.

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    Correct answer MiguelSousa

    David,

    Check points 3 and 4 listed at http://www.thomasphinney.com/2008/12/no-font-instal/

    2 replies

    MiguelSousa
    Community Manager
    MiguelSousaCommunity ManagerCorrect answer
    Community Manager
    July 1, 2009

    David,

    Check points 3 and 4 listed at http://www.thomasphinney.com/2008/12/no-font-instal/

    Legend
    July 1, 2009

    I have the very same problem, with ATM installed or not in Windows XP machine since a long time ago.

    In the very last days I cannot use my OTF fonts, none of them, well exactly not anyone from Adobe, neither PS fonts, only TTF and MS OTF ones, I cannot preview them with ATM and cannot even copy them to the fonts folder in the Windows folder.

    I can only copy Adobe OTF to the font folders of Adobe applications, thus I suspect no font is corrupted. It is a problem with Windows XP or my installation.

    What I have changed lately?

    Oh, my new Geforce 9600GT!

    I think I will have to touch the Registry, thus thank you very much for pointing to this likely culprit, I will try T. Phinney solutions and let you know. Thank you.

    Dov Isaacs
    Legend
    June 30, 2009

    I just tried downloading and installing the font you refer to in Windows Vista (pretty much same font handling mechanism as XP) without any problem whatsoever.

    Do you have problems with all OpenType OTF fonts as your post's title implies or just this font?

              - Dov

    - Dov Isaacs, former Adobe Principal Scientist (April 30, 1990 - May 30, 2021)
    June 30, 2009

    Have you ever tried to install ALL available fonts?

    As I said in the note, I tried both Inconsolata and Albert, with the same result.  They are both available from different sites, and I've successfully installed Inconsolata on both another Windows box and an Ubuntu box.

    Dov Isaacs
    Legend
    June 30, 2009

    Wise guy, we are trying to assist you!

    The question was whether all OpenType OTF fonts have installation problems on this system, not whether you tried to install all fonts ... geez!

    The question pertains to whether you have somehow broken your XP system's ability to deal with both Type 1 and OpenType CFF fonts. This can easily occur if you either (1) install a very old copy of Adobe Type Manager or (2) install the most recent version of the Adobe Type Manager and then uninstall it without applying a certain patch file to restore support for Type 1 and OpenType CFF files.

              - Dov

    - Dov Isaacs, former Adobe Principal Scientist (April 30, 1990 - May 30, 2021)