Error Messages and Can't open pdf from internet

[epblum]

Using Windows 7, 64-bit, Google Chrome, IE 11, Adobe Reader 11.

When attempting to open broker pdf's I get the following error messages, written exactly as below:

File does not begin with '%PDF-'

Local\EWH-6964-0

File does not begin with '%PDF-'

Local\EWH-7704-1

File does not begin with '%PDF-'

Local\EWH-7672-1

File does not begin with '%PDF-'

Local\EWH-6632-1

etc, on and on

any help appreciated

[pwillener]

Does that happen on both Chrome and IE11?

If it happens with the Adobe Reader plugin, two solutions:

1. ask the creator of these PDFs to correct them
2. apply this circumvention: Error: "The document is damaged..." | Opening PDF

[epblum]

Yes, on both Chrome and IE11, using Reader 11

Sent from EB's iPad

[pwillener]

Download, unzip, then run the registry script from https://files.acrobat.com/a/preview/bb68960e-bdd2-4ad5-94cc-fa6ad1622486

[epblum]

Did so, thx, but still get the same error message.

I have uninstalled XI and reinstalled it twice. Have decided to go back to Reader 10, but can not find it to download. Would you please send me a link? Thanks again for your help.

[pwillener]

http://get.adobe.com/reader/enterprise/

[epblum]

Pat, thanks for all your clues, however, I'm still not able to open pdf's - broker statements and confirmations - from three companies. Still getting the same error messages that the files do not begin with "%PDF-". Do you think this is a larger problem than just me? Are you getting other inquiries on this from other users?

[pwillener]

I have never seen this message; Adobe Reader usually issues a much longer message when not detecting '%PDF' at the start of a file:

Error: the document is damaged and cannot be repaired. Adobe Reader could not open because it is either not a supported file type or because the file has been damaged (for example, it was sent as an email attachment and wasn't correctly decoded).

Can you post a screenshot of what you see: http://forums.adobe.com/thread/1070933

[epblum]

Here are pictures from my phone...these error message come up when I try to access pdf's on my windows pc.

I got this at Wells Fargo

The one below is from Morgan stanley

[pwillener]

You need to post images in the forum (using the camera icon), not as email attachments.

[epblum]

OK, did so, thx.

[epblum]

[pwillener]

Thank you; the reason why I wanted to see the screenshot is to make sure it comes from Adobe Reader.  Which it clearly does.

Are these files confidential?  If not, can you share one of these with us: https://forums.adobe.com/thread/1408375

[epblum]

Yes, they are confidential.

Pls tell me about Adobe Air. I removed it from my pc , immediately after which, I could open those pesky pdf's....one time. The next day I got the error messages again. Is Air related to Reader or are they totally independent?

[pwillener]

Adobe AIR is a runtime for AIR apps; Adobe Reader does not require AIR.  Some commercial Adobe software (like Creative Suite) does require AIR.

If you donwload these PDFs to your local disk (right-click on a PDF link, then select Save Target as), can you open them from there?

[epblum]

Appreciate that info on AIR, thx.

Still not able to open pdf's from internet. Woe is me.

[pwillener]

But can you open them after downloading them to your local disk?

[epblum]

I don't have the option to download or save them on a right click. If I had, this would not be a problem. Sorry....I want a solution too.

[pwillener]

Sorry, I have no more ideas.  Hopefully someone from the Adobe Support team will have a look at your issue.

What I would do if I had this problem is to ask the people who provide these PDFs to create them properly (so that they do have the '%PDF' identifier at the start of the file).  Also ask them how they open their own PDF files.

[epblum]

How do we get that to happen?

[pwillener]

Unfortunately there is nothing you or I can do about it; it just happens sometimes...

[THRobinson]

Ever a solution for this?

I have IE11 and Acrobat XI, same issue. Uninstalled and cleaned the registry and installed Acrobat X, same deal. Tried the regkey fix in the previously mentioned link with no results. Problem for me is that the website is for a large company we submit claims to so, asking them to fix their site falls on deaf ears, and their site only works with IE9 causing me to set my IE11 to compatibility mode. Pain in the arse. :S

Seen lots of posts about the same error so no uncommon... just finding a fix is.

[screennamescreen]

Error still exists in 2018. No fix found so far in my case.

[yuzhouz79806653]

I met the same problem today on IE, and accidentally find another solution.

1. uninstall Acrobat Reader

2. now open the pdf in IE.

3. IE will download the pdf as a file.

4. reinstall Acrobat Reader and try open from the downloaded pdf file, or use other reader like Sumatra PDF to open it. 

I guess if you don't have Acrobat Reader, the IE browser will not try to open/render the file in browser. Instead, it will download it as a file. then this problem will be avoided on IE. And the Acrobat Reader should open the pdf file correctly.

Hope this works for you.

[Shane33115839lubj]

Whenever I try and search this error, I always get this thread.  So anybody got a clue for this in 2023?

NCB says we are the only people having issues opening files from them.