Adobe Reader and Paranormal mice

[Rob Lister]

Two subects for the price of one.

1) I know its probably been discussed before but, by golly, I'm going to discuss it again if it has. Adobe Reader 6.0 sucks. It crashes my broswer (I.E. and F.F.) every time I click a pdf link. It didn't used to do that prior to my 6.0 upgrade (which Adobe all but insisted upon with constant messages). Adobe knows about the problem and the fix they suggest is to ensure I open Adobe prior to clicking the link. Hmmm. Is there a flaw in their fix? Well gee, if I had overt notice that a link I clicked was PDF I would (and in fact do) but often ... well, you all know what I mean... What's a better fix? Also, while bringing you this post I needed the exact version number of the Reader I was using so I clicked Help/About Adobe Reader and got a splash screen that had no close button. I know now that I could have clicked anywhere in the splash to close it but the only two buttons available were the ... oh nevermind. Just help me with the first issue.

2) I think my new Logitech Wireless-optical mouse might qualify for the JREF million. It seems to have a mind of its own. The curser often moves slowly (inch per sec or so) straight up, down, or to either side without my hand even touching it. Other times scrolls the screen quickly up or down. Don't try to help me as I just wanted to warn you all that the prize will soon be mine.

 

[Rat]

You have updated to 6.03? That's the first thing. But anyway, the best thing is just to set it so that the pdf opens in the reader rather than the browser. This is done in Acrobat options. Or have you already done this, and you're telling us that it still crashes it? Personally, I always right-click them and save them, but you're right; you don't always notice that it's a pdf beforehand.

Optical mice often do that. If it's doing that all the time, try one of the special optical mousemats (that is, the mouse mat is for optical mice). If it's still constant, bin it and get another one.

Cheers,
Rat.

 

[webfusion]

upgrades are always bloated

When something works fine, I am loathe to upgrade.
Also, the upgrades usually end up being H-U-G-E in terms of added bloat. Sorry, but I don't have a 60GB hard drive, I have a 1.2GB hard drive on my 486. What are these companies trying to do, make my machine obsolete before its time? Sheesh.

 

[PixyMisa]

Try uninstalling Acrobat and downloading version 5, which is the least sucky version to date. Version 7 is out now, and is an improvement over 6, but still pretty bloated compared to 5.

 

[Rob Lister]

Try uninstalling Acrobat and downloading version 5, which is the least sucky version to date. Version 7 is out now, and is an improvement over 6, but still pretty bloated compared to 5.

Thank you all for the suggestions. I shall try them all, but not necessarily in the order presented.

The bloatedness (is that a word...should be) of the reader is mind bogglinginginging (that shouldn't be a word).

Is there a copycat reader that works 'good enough'? I could do a google search and research the question but youz guz are much more smarterist (still undecided as to this words value).

thanx, past and potentially future.

 

[Donks]

Thank you all for the suggestions. I shall try them all, but not necessarily in the order presented.

The bloatedness (is that a word...should be) of the reader is mind bogglinginginging (that shouldn't be a word).

Is there a copycat reader that works 'good enough'? I could do a google search and research the question but youz guz are much more smarterist (still undecided as to this words value).

thanx, past and potentially future.

You could try xpdf, an open soure alternative. I haven't tried it on windows, but I did try in on linux some time ago and it was adequate.

Oh, and I have a Logitech MX500 corded optical mouse, it does the drifting thing once in a while too. Although it hasn't done it recently.

 

[Oleron]

Adobe reader 7.0 is out now and starts up much faster than 6. Problem is it has a bug, it can't link to stored pdf's via hyperlink. As long as you never want to do this it's fine!

I had the optical mouse drift thing (Microsoft mouse, probably a logitech with a different badge) and I found that dismantling the mouse, cleaning it and re-seating all the little components did the trick. I've no idea what I actually did but it worked nonetheless!

Mind you a little bit fell out of the scroll wheel, but I never use it anyway....

 

[HarryKeogh]

this thread title would be a cool band name.

 

[Vitnir]

I got Adobe Acrobat 4.0 installed and there is no way I will upgrade.
As for Logitech mice, I have over the years bought a lot of them and I dont quite know why because there is usually some problem with them, both mechanical and software. Try also to uninstall the drivers and try the drivers from Microsoft Intellipoint instead before you trash it. I have also had some weird experience with USB-mice using the PS2 converter, try without the converter even though you have to give up a USB-slot.

 

[davidhorman]

Adobe reader 7.0 is out now and starts up much faster than 6.

Check your startup folder - it seems to preload itself these days. I found an article once which told which Acrobat DLLs to delete that you'll probably never need, which apparently speeds up loading.

David

 

[Rob Lister]

I just installed 7.0 and the problem appears to be solved.

New problem/observation: Wireless mice are like remote controls and cordless phones.