Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are PDF documents?
   
   Adobe Acrobat was the first software to support Adobe Systems' Portable Document Format (PDF). To view and print PDF documents, you need the Acrobat Reader program (now just called Adobe Reader). It is available as a no-charge download from Adobe's web site.
   
   
2. The PDF file opens, but the pages are blank. What is happening?
   
   There are usually two common reasons for this.
   
   First, PDF documents are generally much larger in file size than your typical web page. If you connect to the internet via a dial-up modem, the content of the PDF may take several minutes to fully display as it downloads from our servers. If you can see the hard drive light flashing on your computer, please be patient for a minute or so and wait to see if the PDF document loads.
   
   Second, if the hard drive light is not flashing and you’ve waited a minute or so, you probably have an older version of Adobe Acrobat Reader. You will need to uninstall your old version (see question 4 below) and then download and install a new version of Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer (see question 5 below).
   
   
3. An error message appears on the screen when Acrobat Reader is launched.
   
   This is a common problem if one or more of the Adobe Acrobat Reader files is corrupt OR you have more than one version of Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. The best solution would be to uninstall ALL copies of Adobe Acrobat Reader from your computer (see question 4 below) and then download and install a new version of Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer (see question 5 below).
   
   
4. How do I tell what version of Adobe Acrobat Reader I have on my computer?
   
   Run the Adobe Acrobat program. Go to the Help menu and choose “About Adobe Acrobat Reader” (or a similar name) and a small dialog window will appear showing the version number.
   
   
5. How do I uninstall an old version of Adobe Acrobat Reader?
   
   Your Windows operating system keeps track of installed programs in the “Add or Remove Programs (Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP)” or "Programs & Features (Windows Vista)" control panel application. Go to the Start menu and locate and run the Control Panel. Once the control panel opens, double-click on “Add or Remove Programs”. The program will launch and a list of the installed programs on your computer will appear. Single-click on the Adobe Acrobat Reader item in the list and click the “Remove” button. If you have more than one version installed, repeat this step. A message may appear and ask you to restart your computer. If it does, you should restart your computer right away and re-launch the “Add or Remove Programs” or "Programs & Features" control panel when your computer starts up again and verify that all version of Adobe Acrobat Reader are uninstalled. Now proceed to Question 5 below to obtain and install the newest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader.
   
   
6. Where can I go to download a new version of Adobe Acrobat Reader?
   
   Adobe Acrobat Reader can be obtained free of charge from the Adobe website. The URL (web address) that you will want to visit to download this program is: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
   
   Once at the Adobe website, read the instructions and follow the steps. Make sure to keep the check box next to “Download the full version of Adobe Reader” checked off. Depending on the operating system of your computer, you may be asked if you want to download additional software and/or use the Adobe Download manager. Deselect all of the additional software Adobe is trying to get you to download with the Acrobat Reader application and also check off “Do not use Adobe Download Manager”.
   
   
7. What is Adobe Download Manager and do I need it?
   
   Adobe Download Manager helps you manage the process of downloading Adobe Reader software and other Adobe files. Adobe Download Manager uses up resources on your computer and is not required by www.tradesecrets.gov.ab.ca. We recommend that you check off “Do not use Adobe Download Manager”.
   
   
8. What is the Free Google Toolbar and do I need it?
   
   The Google Toolbar adds a search toolbar to your web browser. This feature is not required by Tradesecrets.gov.ab.ca and uses up valuable window real estate in your browser. We recommend that you do not install this feature.
   
   
9. What is the Photoshop Album 2.0 Starter Edition software and do I need it?
   
   Photoshop Album 2.0 is a program that lets you find, fix, and share digital photos. This application is not required for any of the Tradesecrets.gov.ab.ca files. We recommend that you do not install this feature.