PDF crashing IE

help appreciated

[HocusPocus]

I have a client for which I've done a website for. I have an image link that opens a pdf (183k) into a new window with target="_blank". Nothing special about the link.

The client is insisting that when he closes the 'pdf' window IE shutdowns completely. I've reviewed the code, and instructed him to clear his cache but still the problem persists on his machine.

Has anybody heard of this problem before and what are the recommended fixes.

Thanks

-M

[2oddSox]

Not what your client wants to hear, but has he all the latest patches for IE and an up to date version? Does this happen with any other users also? (I take it that it works fine for you?). I saw something on experts-exchange recently for a similar problem where the pdf.ocx file had become corrupted. Other possibilities might be to look at the active x settings on his machine and maybe even downgrade his version of IE and try it then. Again, not what he wants to hear, but in the interests of finding the root of the problem, he might be willing to co-operate and it might eliminate some possibilities.

Sorry I can't be more help - hopefully others here will offer more insight.

Good luck,

2odd...

[HocusPocus]

Thanks for the response and advice.

The window opens and closes fine on the 2 machines I've tested on, and doesn't crash IE.

Nothing is ever easy in this game is it? I'll just have to tell him to patch his system.

-M

[Chris_R]

I have a similar problem - This happens on my machine any many others.

If you have ever opened a pdf file - AcroRd32.exe stays running in the background.

If I want to view another pdf without it crashing - I have to use ctrl+alt+dlt and shut down that process in the windows task manager.

I would be willing to bet if he shuts down any instances of AcroRd32.exe that are still running that the window will open and not crash when closed.

If you'd like - send me the link and I will test it out using my system. I bet it will crash.

[keyplyr]

If you have ever opened a pdf file - AcroRd32.exe stays running in the background.

Disable the Assistant and all will be well.

[bcolflesh]

The Acrobat Reader and Full prog 6.x versions fix the "running in the background" issue - have him upgrade.

[HocusPocus]

I've discussed the matter of Acrobat running in the background after closing the window with the client. The client said acro...exe did not remain in his program list on the task manager after he had closed the window. He's running XP, IE 6.01 SP1.

keyplyr- is that the Office Assistant, Paperclip man etc?

We maintain a number of sites with many PDFs, I know what Jakob and the majority think of PDFs, but are there any alternatives? I suppose asking whether 'PDF crashing IE" is a common problem, is difficult to answer.

I'll tell him to download latest acrobat reader. I'll get the version number of his current AR off him for the board. If downloading latest version doesn't fix.. I'll be back.

In the meantime thanks for your comments and best to all.

[keyplyr]

HocusPocus - I am referring to the Adobe Acrobat Assistant. It may not even be present if the user only has the free reader installed; comes with the PDF maker bundle and other Adobe suites. After I disabled it, I never had those issues of Acrobat never closing.

[shasan]

apologize if I'm being rude, but how is that your problem? I understand about going the extra mile, but all indications are that it's a local problem and not a problem with your design.

Clients, can't live with em, can't live without em.

[Shannon Moore]

"How is that your problem?"

Well, if I take my car to a skilled mechanic to get the tires rotated and oil changed, I expect that when I get the car back its tires are properly inflated and balanced...rather than going "Ka-THUNK ka-THUNK ka-THUNK" as I head down the road.

Reporting a problem that's occurring when viewing a website is hardly ill-mannered client behavior, IMHO. I'll grant you it can be a hassle to debug, and may in some cases have nothing to do with the website's design or cording, but surely it is relevant to report to one's web designer/programmer.

{grammar edit}

[shasan]

tru dat.

I was just thinking about the time being spent on supporting something that isn't in scope, 'sall. I've just had projects where the 'extra mile' turned into cash-draining hand-holding. Been burned I guess.

[HocusPocus]

The client doesn't necessarily know the problem lies with his machine or the website. All he sees is that there is a problem... if he's experiencing it then maybe his customers are as well, which is obviously bad for everyone.

I don't know the magnitude of this issue yet, but it seems that there may well be a dodgy version of Acrobat reader about that gobbles up resources and crashes IE.

If he tests it on a number of machines and the PDF crashes the client has a major issue as he's got lots of sites with many PDFS. He may decide to convert all of them to HTML. $)

I do think it is beyond the scope of my work, but I believe exceeding customer’s expectations does pay dividends in the future.

[pmac]

>Acrobat reader about that gobbles up resources and crashes IE. <

Just went through this. What was causing it to crash was that Acrobat would start to load and in the background it would try to prompt you to check for updates. The update prompt sat behind the app and crashed IE. Try getting the client to update or to disable the prompt.