Now cant open old PDF files

[Charmabell]

I recently installed Acrobat Pro, now I cant open any of my old PDF files, ?? Any ideas - thanks

[pwillener]

What is your operating system?  Acrobat version?

What exactly means "cant" - do you get any error messages?

[Charmabell]

Hi Pat – I cannot open my old PDF files.

I get message - Failed to connect to a DDE sever – Fatal Error.

On Windows 7 – 64 bit.

I have Adobe Reader 11 & Adobe Acrobat XI Pro (just installed)

Regards Maureen

[pwillener]

Do you know how to use regedit?  If so, try the following:

Key HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\acrobat\shell\open\ddeexec\application

change the default value from "AcroviewA10"  to  "AcroviewR10".

If you are not sure about regedit, let me know, and I'll make a script for you.

[Charmabell]

No - have no idea how to use Regedit

From Mau & Charlies iPad

[Charmabell]

When I got to: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\acrobat\shell\open\ddeexec\application – I found: ab Default Reg_SZ AcroViewA10 already

So I need another solution.

[pwillener · Accepted solution]

Looks like you learned quickly how to use regedit!

The value you found must me replaced by "AcroviewR10".

If you can replace the value manually, make a System Restore Point first, so that you can easily back it out if any mistake occurs.

But I have just checked: I do already have a registry script available: download, unzip, then run AcroviewR10.reg from https://files.acrobat.com/a/preview/a0e543cd-3e8b-4f4b-81db-3310cd7560fe

[Charmabell]

Ran your script. Now have AcroviewR10, but cant open Acrobat at all now. Reader is ok.

[Charmabell]

Still giving same server fault message.

[Charmabell]

Hey – turned computer right off, and yeah!! we’re good to go. You’re the man !

[pwillener]

Didn't know a restart was required, but thanks for the info: noted!