How do I get the Acrobat Distiller back?

[marvduncan]

Using FM10. Have to create a PDF file only occasionally. Always used the plug-in that came with FrameMaker. We decided to download the trial version of Acrobat X. Used it for awhile but didn't see any great advantages to buying it. For the work we're doing, the Save as PDF feature in FrameMaker worked just fine. So I deleted Acrobat X. Now the distiller is gone as well. I can no longer Save as PDF in FrameMaker. When I try, I get the error message, "To execute 'Save as PDF' command, you must have Acrobat Distiller version 5.05 or higher installed."

How do I get the distiller back?

We purchased and downloaded FrameMaker on-line so I have no CD.

[Dov Isaacs]

You would need to fully reinstall FrameMaker from the file that you originally downloaded!

          - Dov

[ApaniWriter]

Okay, I did that. (Not sure what I'm going to do when I get home and go through this again - not sure I saved the install files.) Anyway, I've deleted the trial version of Acrobat X as mentioned above, and re-installed FrameMaker 10.

Now I don't get the error message, but I don't get a pdf file either. Everything seems to go through the proper gyrations but in the end, all I have is a tps file. As far as I can tell, everything in the setup is the same as before.

[ApaniWriter]

I should add that I am the original poster. Just a different persona at office and at home.

[Bob_Niland]

... not sure I saved the install files ...

When installing a trial version of a newer product version (of any brand of application), there's is always the question of: can I get back to where I was if things don't work out.

Having backups and/or knowing where your original install media and product keys are, umm, key steps.

When you don't have recourse at the ready, as apparently in this case, I'm wondering if Windows Restore Point might help. I would expect a default install of FM10, on drive C:\, to be fully shadow copied by Windows, and allow roll-back, as long as subsequent changes hadn't exceeded the disc space allocated for the feature.

Anyone ever had any luck rolling back to an earlier FM this way?

______

I not only keep all my old media and records, but also keep notes on what order things need to be installed in, so that older drivers, utlities, DLLs and daemons don't clobber newer ones. I just had to recover my home PC this year, and could not have done it without the saved material.

[ApaniWriter]

Saving such files is good advice. As it turns out, I did save the download files at home. So that part is no longer an issue. Right now, the inability to create a pdf file is still the issue. I've made no progress there.

To summarize, here is the sequence of events so far:

- Deleted the trial version of Acrobat X Pro.

- Found that the Distiller was no longer there.

- On the advice of Dov Isaacs, above, re-installed FM10 from the original downloaded install files.

- Still unable to 'Save as PDF." A tps file is created.

- Re-installed FM10 once again, this time ensuring that the 'Install Adobe PDF Creation Add On X' was checked to install.

- After the install, double checked in the Control Panel to see that the add-on was installed.

- Still unable to create a PDF. FM goes through the gyrations and it does create a tps file, but somehow can't bring up the distiller to complete the process.

I have triple checked all of the settings and they are the same as I've always used. I'm thinking that there's some remnant of Acrobat left over that Frame is looking at and getting no response from. Maybe something in the Windows Registry. Oh my! Perish that thought! Might I next have to completely delete everthing associated with Adobe and start completely from scratch?

[ApaniWriter · Accepted solution]

I just answered my own question. I figured "what's to lose?" and completely un-installed FrameMaker 10 and THEN did a clean install. Everything works fine now. It sure would have been nice to have had a "beware" before I started all of this. Oh well, I guess it's my week. I got a new iPhone 4s and it's one of who-knows-how-many that was defective. Verizon is sending me a replacement. It's been fun!

[ApaniWriter]

Here's one more update. I still can't create a PDF file.

Just for drill, I did yet one more re-install of FM10. This time I made absolutely certain that the 'Install Adobe PDF Creation Add On' selection was checked. After the re-install, I checked in the Control Panel to make certain there was a program "Adobe PDF Creation Add-On X" present. Everything looks good. Except I still can't go any further than creating a tps file.

[rads]

Hi,

How do I get back the Adobe Distiller (the default add-on) for FM 11.

Encountered issues with installation of trial version of  Acrobat Pro XI. Now tried using the Save As PDF option in the FM files.

I am really at a loss as my day's work is suffering because of this. Need help.

Thanks,

Rads

[Jeff_Coatsworth]

You’re probably going to have to uninstall all traces of Acrobat first, then run the FM installer again to repair your install. If that doesn’t work, a reinstall of FM may be needed.

[rads]

Jeff,

Uninstall all traces of Acrobat first, then run the FM installer again to repair your install.

Yes, it worked!

Thanks,

Radhika

[Jeff_Coatsworth]

Good to know that it worked for you – thanks for posting back