PDF Help

Portable Document Format files (PDFs) preserve all the fonts, formatting, graphics, and color of a printed document. For this reason, PDFs are the preferred choice of most Websites for quickly and efficiently delivering printed materials over the Internet.

PDFs require Adobe® Acrobat® Reader® for viewing. To download a free copy of Adobe Reader, visit the Adobe Website.

If you have problems downloading or printing a PDF or downloading Adobe Reader itself, a solution to the problem may be found in the Adobe Reader Troubleshooting Guide on the Adobe Systems, Inc., Website.

Before visiting the Adobe troubleshooting site, you may wish to consider these possible causes for common problems in downloading PDFs:

Lengthy download time

• Slow modem connection (a modem speed of 28.8 kps or greater is recommended).
• Too much Internet or Web site traffic.

Unable to open a PDF

• Your browser version (e.g., Netscape Communicator, Internet Explorer) may be outdated. Version 4.0 or higher in either Communicator or Explorer is recommended.
• Reader may not be installed (or may be improperly installed) on your computer.
• There is too much Internet or Website traffic. Try again later.
• The host site may be temporarily out of service. Try again later.

Unable to print a PDF

• Problems in printing PDFs may be caused by a variety of software and hardware factors. A more complete description of possible problems can be found in the Adobe Reader Troubleshooting Guide.
• Adobe displays blank PDF pages in Netscape Communicator version 4.5/4.6/4.7.
  Netscape Navigator 4.5 or higher uses SSL (Secure Socket Layer) differently than earlier versions of Navigator, so viewers don't always display PDF files correctly with this version.

What to do

Solution 1

Download the PDF file to your hard drive and view it locally:

1. Right-click the link (Windows) or place the cursor over the link and hold down the mouse button (Mac OS), then choose Save Link As from the pop-up menu. Note: In some versions of Netscape you must position your browser on the blank page and select FILE/SAVE AS from the browser menu bar.
2. In the Save As dialog box, you may simply note the file name and location provided for the PDF file, or specify a name and location of your choice.
3. Click Save.
4. View or print the PDF anytime by running the saved file (usually by double clicking the file).

Solution 2

Download another browser such as Microsoft Internet Explorer.

Resources

• Adobe Reader
  Download the free Adobe Reader software.
• Accessibility
  If you have a visual impairment, please visit access.adobe.com for help in working more effectively with PDF files.
• Understanding Adobe Reader
  The CyberSeniors.org Web site provides an illustrated guide to downloading the Adobe Reader and using PDF files.

If all else fails, you may request that a hard copy of the document be mailed to you. Please send an e-mail message to 2020@nei.nih.gov and include your name, mailing address and the title of the document.