Acroread

After receiving hundreds of requests from users of Adobe Reader to release a version on Solaris x86 platform, here's something all of you have been waiting to hear - yes, the decision to add this support has been taken and we're planning to add Solaris x86 to our supported platforms list in the next release of Adobe Reader which might happen in 2009.

This was, of course, not a straightforward decision - there are lots of dependencies that we need to deal with, including third-party dependencies, platform limitations, internal and external dependencies and resource constraints. These constraints are not always apparent but have to be dealt with when a huge product like the Reader needs to be ported to a new platform.

As always, we're keen on understanding the needs of the users of our product and to do as much as we possibly can. We would like to thank each one of you for persevering, and would request you to continue to provide us with valuable feedback about any and every aspect of the product to help us make it even better! And of course, thanks for your patience!

On behalf of The Unix Reader Team

Posted by Gaurav Jain at 03:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (43)

Although this blog is for the Adobe Reader on Unix Platforms only, we have received scores of user comments about some issues related to printing and uninstallation of Reader 8.1.2 on Windows. This post is meant to bring all those issues to one page and to provide a solution to those issues.

For all Windows Users - If you are looking for support related to issues with the Reader on Windows, please use the User-to-user forums. If you have purchased support for Acrobat, please use the official Acrobat Support Page.

Problem
Problems installing or uninstalling Adobe Reader 8.1.2 on Windows

Solution
Windows Reader users who are having problems in updating or rolling back from version 8.1.2, or getting the 1714 error during installation may find help on this official Adobe KB page at: http://kb.adobe.com/selfservice/viewContent.do?externalId=320310&sliceId=1

Following is a list of the various comments we've received related to this problem:

The error I am receiving with my Adobe upgrade is that the older version of 8.1.2 cannot be removed. To contact my technical support people. However, as I am a private individual, I am the technical support. Any suggestions??

Posted by: Linda | February 19, 2008 12:35 AM

My Adobe Reader updated to the 8.1.2 version and now I can't print from it. I am running a Windows XP operating system. I also can't fix the update as it sayd that an older version cannot be removed. If I delete the Adobe and try to reinstall it, again it comes up with an older version cannot be removed with a file it sayd is not there. Any suggestions?

Posted by: Mary Anne | February 20, 2008 12:40 AM

I can open a pdf e mail file to read but it will not print,says unable to print...is printer ready,which it is.
also get error 1344 trying to open some pdf emails that have been saved.

Posted by: peter wilkinson | February 26, 2008 08:39 AM

I have the same problem as Linda. I don't get any Icons for *.pdf documents! When I try the autoupdate, uninstall or manual remove and a new download and install, the install stops with the message Reader 8.1.2 can't be removed. when I run adobe reader, it starts o.k. but tells me, it's version 8.1.1 ! Any ideas? "please help me if you can, I'm feeling down, and I do apreciate ..."

Posted by: Marc | March 7, 2008 04:52 PM

I've found it! Solution on http://www.adobeforums.com/webx/.3c06482d
where maggie hallinan (http://www.adobeforums.com/webx?224@@2d1f975f@.3c06482d/2)
suggested to use the "Microsoft Windows Installer CleanUp Utilities".
Worked for me fine to!
cu, Marc.

Posted by: Marc | March 7, 2008 05:11 PM

The error I am receiving with my Adobe upgrade is that the older version of 8.1.2 cannot be removed. To contact my technical support people. However, as I am a private individual, I need technical support.

Posted by: rudolfo | March 8, 2008 01:18 PM

Unable to bring up any tax fil from my broker which i desparetly need When reinstalling says"cannot uninstall older version. Can you help me?

Posted by: DAN SMITH | March 9, 2008 12:29 AM

Unable to updated to Adobe 8.1.2.... I can't even print pdf's anymore with this application. Why can't I uninstall Adobe's 8.1.1 and update -- Dialog informs me a "patch" is missing?? Rolled back to Adobe 7. I'm using Windows XP.

Posted by: Rosalyn Martin | March 10, 2008 12:16 AM

After downloading update 8.1.2 I haven't been able to use AdobeReader. I keept trying to reinstall, update or remove and I keep getting a message saying, "The path 'C:\DOCUME~1\CHARLES~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\Adobe Reader 8_\AcroRead.msi cannot be found.' And I also receive a message saying "The older version of Adobe Reader 8.1.2 cannot be removed. Contact technical support."

What can I do? Please help!

Posted by: Charles Lovelace | March 10, 2008 07:25 AM

Adobe Reader 8.1.1 doesn't function well: I can read PDF-pages, but I can't print them. A new try to install failed and the message was that an older version couldnot be removed. When I tried to remove the program with the standard uninstall-possibilities of Windows XP I received the message that the program couldnot open the patchpack (or package?) and that I should ask you if the Adobe Reader contains a valid Windows XP Installer-Pactchpack(age?). Wat can I do and how can you help.

With regards,
Anton de Jong

Posted by: A. de Jong | March 11, 2008 07:13 AM

Acrobat was unable to print.
I tried to re install ver 8.1.2
I also receive a message saying "The older version of Adobe Reader 8.1.2 cannot be removed. Contact technical support."

Posted by: arnaud Bibard | March 13, 2008 07:36 PM

The error I am receiving with my Adobe upgrade is that the older version of 8.1.2 cannot be removed. To contact my technical support people.
Or it keeps saying that the printer is unavailable?? Any suggestions??

Posted by: Ian Cullen | March 17, 2008 07:07 AM

I'm have the same troubles as many of the other users.
My Adobe Reader updated to the 8.1.2 version and now I can't print from it. I am running a Windows XP operating system. I also can't fix the update as it says that an older version cannot be removed. If I delete the Adobe and try to reinstall it, again it comes up with an older version cannot be removed with a file it says is not there. Any suggestions?

Posted by: Dean Avery | March 18, 2008 01:56 AM

When I tried to remove Abode Reader 8.1.1, there was an error messege: This patch package could not be opened!! I couldnt remove or update the program! Please Help!

Posted by: Nancy | March 18, 2008 08:27 AM

I am having same problem as Nancy...need this program for work! HELP!!!!

Posted by: Ganesa Wiens | March 19, 2008 08:50 AM

Same problem here. I can't use it, repair it, delete it or even open it. Get a message telling me that the patch package cannot be opened. Verify that it exists. I have no idea what to do. Throw me a life line here...pretty please?

Posted by: Ganesa Wiens | March 19, 2008 08:56 AM

This patch issue seems to be a recurring problem. I too am unable to uninstall AR 8.1.1 for the same reason. Is there an answer???

Posted by: Greg Cooke | March 21, 2008 08:21 AM

Same as is the one posted the most....can't print, can't unistall.

where are the answers to these posts?

Posted by: Michele | March 21, 2008 05:32 PM

I have tried to remove adobe 8.1.1 as it is not working properly.
When I try to remove it from add/remove programs in control pannel a message appears: Missing patch file,make sure file patch exists.
It will not let me remove it. Any ideas?

Posted by: kEVIN MARSH | March 21, 2008 06:54 PM

I also have trouble with the reader pdf
same as others it will not work and can not remove it or reistall it as many poeple are having same problems how can I get to answer
is there somewhere i cat go to get a response

Posted by: bill thomson | March 22, 2008 12:26 AM

Same problem with the patch could not be opened error. Never had this problem before today. Where do we find help? All I get is directed to this page.

Posted by: Janet | March 22, 2008 04:32 AM

8.1.1 reader does not function it always fails cannot reload cannot uninstall refers to AC76BA-7AD7-0000-2550-7ABC-40000000 cannot use it update or remove it

Posted by: Tommy Wooten | March 22, 2008 10:36 PM

The error I am receiving with my Adobe upgrade is that the older version of 8.1.2 cannot be removed. To contact my technical support people. However, as I am a private individual, I need technical support

Posted by: richard ojeda | March 23, 2008 04:39 AM

NEED HELP. SAME PROBLEM CAN,T UNINSTALL OR PUT ANOTHER VERSION.

Posted by: JUDY FARK | March 23, 2008 11:37 AM

Same problems. Older version of 8.1.2 cannot be removed. Cannot use Reader or reinstall. WTF?!

Posted by: Shannon | March 25, 2008 06:20 AM

Same problem as preceding folks - how do we uninstall 8.1.1? Doesn't function, no reload, no way out - how do we get rid of this thing?

Posted by: Pete Lord | March 28, 2008 06:52 AM

The error I am receiving with my Adobe upgrade is that the older version of 8.1.2 cannot be removed. To contact my technical support people.
Or it keeps saying that the printer is unavailable?? Any suggestions??

Posted by: f.g.pachano | March 28, 2008 03:08 PM

Hi. I get the same results and messages as. A. de Jong | March 11, 2008. But I don't see any answers for this problem. I tried to update to 8.1.2 but when i try to install it the message comes up that, it cant install because of the problem patch of 8.1.1.
Please help as I am stuck without the reader. It did not happen before i updated to newer version 8.1.1

Nic (XP)

Posted by: Nic | March 28, 2008 08:14 PM

I thought i was going "bonkers" till i read other persons are having the same problem of not being able to install 8.1.2

Posted by: Maurice | March 28, 2008 11:33 PM

I can read PDF-pages, but I can't print them. A new try to install failed and the message was that an older version couldnot be removed. When I tried to remove the program with the standard uninstall-possibilities of Windows XP I received the message that the program could not open the patch pack and that I should ask you if the Adobe Reader contains a valid Windows XP Installer-Pactchpack.I need to print an important document.

Posted by: Tracey | March 29, 2008 03:00 AM

I can not remove or update Adobe Reader8.1.1 form my Pc it tells me Error 1714 the older version CAN NOT be removed.or this patch could not be opened,verify that the patch exists and you can access it.or contact the application vender to verify is a valid windows Installer patch package.

Posted by: Joe Perez | March 29, 2008 03:19 AM

Same as everyone else, can no longer open pdf files. Keep getting error 1714. I can't remove the older version and reinstall. This is a BIG problem for me.

Posted by: Chris Watkins | March 31, 2008 03:04 AM

I am having the same issues like most of the postings. I cannot print, I have Windows XP, and Adobe Reader 8.1.2. I tried manually removing as per instructions on your website but when I get to removing c:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\Active X\del ACroIEHelper.dll it tells me access denied. What can I do to correct this issue?

Posted by: Arleen Gross | March 31, 2008 04:47 AM

I have tried to remove adobe 8.1.1 as it is not working properly.
When I try to remove Adobe Reader 8.1.1 from add/remove programs in control pannel a message appears: Missing patch file,make sure file patch exists.
It will not let me remove it. Can you help me?

Posted by: Judith Abernathy | March 31, 2008 07:36 AM

Hi- I use the Canada Post website to print my shipping labels and it is always when using it that I get the notices of upgrades etc. I d/l 8.1.2 a few days ago but then I got error message that it failed to install. Message of upgrades popped up again today so I tried again. Still says failed to install. What do I do????

Posted by: Pat Pitcher | March 31, 2008 10:46 PM

Has anyone heard back about the "unable to uninstall 8.1.1" due to patch package? I tried to do it as well with the same result. I would like to get 8.1.2 and I can't due to the problems with 8.1.1. Please advise and help! Thanks.... Staci

Posted by: staci | April 1, 2008 12:05 AM

Same problem as Tracey, Nic, Pete, Tommy, Janet, Greg, Ganesa, and Nancy! HELP! I can't print any PDF files, can't uninstall, can't update. Major mess!!!

Posted by: Lucy | April 1, 2008 10:20 AM

I'm having the same problem as most here. I can't uninstall or remove 8.1.1 it's crazy. Please ....some advice please.And i can't update because of the error "patch" thing

Posted by: rebecca whitehouse | April 2, 2008 02:07 AM

Same problem, 8.1.1 does not function well at all and wont uninstall. Operating system is Windows XP. Does anyone have a solution???

Posted by: Andy Jones | April 7, 2008 05:45 PM

I need to uninstall Adobe Reader 8.1.1 before installing 8.1.2....cannot uninstall....need Adobe Reader 8.1.2 in order to print my income tax returns. Please help

Posted by: Claire | April 9, 2008 06:45 AM

abode8.1.1 wnat let me open to my broker/want let me uninstall it/say can uninstall old verion can not be remove/ helphelp runner window xp

Posted by: james brown | April 9, 2008 10:32 AM

cant remove old version ... can anyone help me?

Posted by: Ron | April 10, 2008 09:43 AM

I cannot fully delete an earlier version of Adobe Reader in order to install an updated version. An update file [AC76BA86-7AD7-0000-2550-7A8C40000000] cannot be removed. How do I uninstall this file so that I may install a newer version of Adobe Reader?

Posted by: Bob | April 10, 2008 08:09 PM

I am trying to install Reader 8.1.2 but it keeps erroring out telling me it can remove an older version of 8.1.2. I don't have any versions of Reader installed and it keeps giving me this message.

Posted by: Russ | April 11, 2008 04:24 AM

how do you delete reader 8.1.1

Posted by: andrea dove | April 12, 2008 10:01 PM

Posted by Gaurav Jain at 01:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Some of our users have reported a 100% CPU utilization problem while using Adobe Reader 8.x for Unix platforms. This has been discussed on the user-to-user forums post but unfortunately we are unable to replicate this issue locally. Some of the users have reported that this problem seems to go away if you set the proxy in Preferences->Internet to "Manual Proxy Configuration" and enter the proxy server and associated port #, then exit Acroread and restart.

I would request all those users who have faced this issue to post comments on how they reproduced the problem and give some information on their OS/distribution, etc. to help us isolate the issue. Thanks for your continuous feedback and comments!

Posted by Gaurav Jain at 11:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Great Ideas come from every corner of the World and we firmly believe in this saying. The purpose of this page is to provide a platform for all users of Adobe Reader for Unix to submit Feature Requests for future versions of the Reader. We know you have great ideas that you'd like to see implemented in the reader, and we want to hear from you!

Because it's not a perfect world, it's not always possible to implement each and every feature request, but we do look at each item very seriously and try our best to implement the same.

So if you have a great idea or feature that you'd like to see implemented in the Adobe Reader for Unix Platforms, go ahead and post a comment on this page. We will add your idea to this list after review. Once again, thanks for your continues feedback - that's what keeps us going!

Note: This page is for feature requests, not bug reports. Bugs can be posted on the Known Issues Page, or the User-to-user forums.

1. Tabbed Viewing of PDF Documents Currently Adobe Reader does not support Tabbed Viewing of documents, which is an MDI (Multiple Document Interface) view. Tabbed Viewing allows documents to be viewed in separate tabs within the same Reader window (similar to web browsers such as Firefox or Opera).
2. Reloading / Refreshing an opened PDF Document
   If a PDF document is already being viewed in Adobe Reader and the document's contents change from an external source (such as an external PDF creator), the Reader should automatically reload the document from the new contents (with the user's permission, of course).
3. Support for Solaris x86 Platform
   Currently the latest version of the Reader (8.x) does not support Solaris x86 platform. Support for this platform has been requested by a large number of users.

Posted by Gaurav Jain at 11:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (79)

Earlier we had maintained a Known Issues page for Reader 8.1.1 and got overwhelming response and feedback on that - it was a great success because that page provided a platform for both us (the developers of the product) and you (the users) to share ideas and feedback. The results of keeping that page was that we were able to tackle and fix issues faster, and you were able to report any new issues quickly.

This page attempts to do the same thing, for Reader 8.1.2. This page will be updated regularly with new Known Issues in this release. Note that a "Known Issue" listed on this page is one that has been confirmed to be a bug in this release by Adobe testers and has been logged in our internal bug tracking system. These issues are our highest priority and we try to fix them by the next patch or major release.

So please keep your feedback coming in as it has been so far and help us improve this product! You can post your feedback either on this page or on the User-to-user forums and we'll see to it that we resolve your issue.

1. Acroread 8.1.2 cannot print multiple copies
   There's a bug in Adobe Reader 8.1.2 (reported here) wherein printing to multiple copies to any printer doesn't work.
2. Some 3D files throw "3D Parsing Error" on trying to enable 3D on Solaris
   This issue is present on Solaris Reader and is file specific. On trying to enable 3D on some 3D files on Solaris the Reader returns an alert saying "3D Parsing Error" and the 3D image is shown blank.
3. Acroread 8.x doesn't properly support Unix Style Copy/Paste
   This issue has been reported by multiple users at on the User-to-user forums. The Primary selection clipboard text is not updated on second selection and the paste returns the first item that was selected. This is a known bug in Adobe Reader 8.x and will be fixed in the next release.
4. Acroread locks up when going to Edit -> Preferences | Reviewing
   This issue has been reported by users here. The issue is reproducible on opensuse 10.3, Ubuntu 6.10 and RHEL5. The hang/lock-up happens on second or third iteration of opening the Edit -> Preferences -> Reviewing tab.

Posted by Gaurav Jain at 10:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (86)