FrameMaker 8 dropping text when saved as a pdf

[Byrdwrites]

This is an inherited project, created in FrameMaker 7. It resides on the client's server and  I access it remotely. I'm using version 8 (have to save it as version 7 before copying it back to the server).

I'm hoping someone who knows Frame FAR better than I ever will can help me solve this irritation; I've invested FAR too many unbillable hours trying to eliminate it.

The book has one chapter that, if I generate the pdf locally in version 8, leaves blank spaces on one page.Just that one page:

The figure is missing (it's an anchored frame wtih text in it, and I'd just LOVE to know how the original writer formatted the text - inserted tab stops, that sort of thing), the text after Step 2, and the text in the four rows of the table (the table has several other rows on the next page and they display perfectly.

I've tried retyping text in from the end of the prior page and re-entering it on the following page, no love.

When I copy the book back to the server and generate the pdf there, it displays perfectly. Why it should generate perfectly in version 7 and no 8 completely eludes em.

Anyone have ANY clue as to what's happening and how to cure it? I can generate the pdf from the server, so it's not - yet at least -  but eventually it WILL come back to bite us in the you-know-where.

Thanks!

Jo Byrd

[Be.eM]

Jo,

the first thing you should do is installing the MS hotfix for exactly this problem: http://support.microsoft.com/?id=952909

Chance is 99.8% (rough guess) that your problem is solved then.

The origin of your problem is (most likely) a large number of fonts installed (probably some CJK fonts among them), and a system file (fntcache.dat) which can't handle the size/number without the patch.

Bernd

Edit: This fix really should make it into the FAQ. On top position...

[Byrdwrites]

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll definitely check it out. I'll let you know if it works (and your's truly will be just tickled pink. A very pretty, becoming shade of pink).

[byrdye]

Sigh. You don't get to picture me a pretty shade of tickled pink after all. I downloaded and installed the hotfix, but no love. Any other suggestions?

Thank you for the suggestion. I appreciate you taking the time to respond.

[Art Campbell]

First, make sure your local default printer is the Adobe Acrobat logical printer.

Theen try saving the file locally as a MIF file, opening that, and saving that as a local FM file.

When you generate the PDF, you shouldn't be using SaveAs PDF (IMHO) because it's too buggy.

Print the file to your Adobe logical printer. On the FM Print dialog box, make sure that Print to File is turned OFF.

Cheers,

Art

[Be.eM]

byrdye wrote:

Sigh. You don't get to picture me a pretty shade of tickled pink after all. I downloaded and installed the hotfix, but no love. Any other suggestions?

Well, "Save as PDF" on FM8 is not as buggy as Art's response suggests. FM9 has some more troubles there. So in my opinion you could stick to "Save as PDF". The hotfix should work anyway (it does on all systems I know), so my next proposal would be:

Go to the Windows/System32 folder and delete the "fntcache.dat" file. Then restart your computer. Does it work now? And, if you restart again, does it still work? Maybe it helps to get rid of the old file from pre-fix times.

Bernd

[Guest]

Have you double-checked what fonts are being used in the "otherwise missing" text when the PDF is generated on the server? When you generate on the server, what printer is set as the system default, as compared to your local system. Also, what O/S and service packs are on both systems?

Sheila

[Shlomo Perets]

One other thing to try: in the PDF Setup dialog box, Tagged PDF tab, de-select the Generate Tagged PDF checkbox.

Shlomo Perets, http://www.microtype.com

FrameMaker/TCS training & consulting

[byrdye]

Well, deleting the file didn't help, BUT!!! Shlomo's suggestion did! When I generated the chapter, and then the entire book, the missing text magically appeared. YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sheila, I have NO clue as to the service packs on the server. We're both running XP, mine's XP Pro, I assume theirs is, too. I've never checked to see what printer is set as the system default on the server. Thanks for the suggestion, I want to check it out.

Thanks, everyone, for your help. This was driving me NUTS, if nothing else, just on principal. And I'm making notes, next time the client wants their documentation, I'm not going through this again!

Jo Byrd