OT I need computer help!!!

super99 · Jun 19, 2011

My computer has Windows Vista and came with a trial version of Microsoft Office. Think I got it in 2007 or 2008. Anyhow, now I can't open attachments or PDF files anymore, can't watch videos on You Tube either. The tractor club is sending it's newsletters out in e-mails to save money on postage. I have Open Office downloaded and use it regularly. How can I get the PDF's to open up or am I going to have to buy MicroSoft Office in order to do this??
My daughter in law downloaded Mozilla Firefox and I can watch videos if I use it, but my e-mail always goes to Windows. Please keep answers simple, I'm almost computer illiterate. Thanks, Chris

TomH in PA · Jun 19, 2011

You should be able to open PDF files with Acrobat Reader. Try downloading and installing it from here:
PDF Reader

greenbeanman in Kansas · Jun 19, 2011

It seems to me that a lot of content is nearly impossible to open without Acrobat--a product I do not like. Seems they want you to update about once a week, new versions, etc. I also don't care for the controls but within the last couple of years they have actually improved it.

Another reader is Foxit. It opens things much faster than Acrobat and has better controls--in my opinion. It is a free download from Mozilla.

Sorry, but I really can't answer your question, only give an option.
Foxit

old bc · Jun 19, 2011

Download & install Adobe reader. It is free.
Adobe Reader

Ohio88 · Jun 20, 2011

Firefox is not set to be the default internet browser.

With Firefox open select Tools then Options. Select the Advanced tab in the options window. At the bottom is the default browser setting.

Anonymous-0 · Jun 20, 2011

You should be able to do whatever you want regardless of system (aside from some compatability issues that aren't likely these days). Try what ohio 88 says. In the worst case, open a yahoo email account, forward the stuff you are having problems with to it, and work from there..... Less virus danger with yahoo also...

Dave

MarkB_MI · Jun 20, 2011

OK, when you open an email attachment, two things happen: The email client looks to see if there's a application associated with the MIME type for your attachment. In Windows, it goes to the Windows Registry to look up MIME types. If it finds the MIME type and application in the Registry, then the application will attempt to open the attachment with the associated application. But if the MIME type isn't registered, or the application doesn't exist, the launch will fail.

As suggested, doing a fresh install of Adobe Acrobat Reader should fix both issues. It is possible to troubleshoot your problem and fix the specific problem, but chances are you'll cause more problems than you fix. Likewise, re-installing Adobe Flash Player should fix your YouTube problem.

The reason that Firefox isn't affected is (I think) because it has its own registry and doesn't rely on the Windows registry.

buickanddeere · Jun 20, 2011

Mozilla also has "Thunder Bird" which we call "Thunder Chicken" for e-mail. Works better than micro-crap software.
Google Chrome brouser will open and run some obscure applications that Firefox can't/won't.

OT I need computer help!!!

super99

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TomH in PA

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greenbeanman in Kansas

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old bc

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Ohio88

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Anonymous-0

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MarkB_MI

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buickanddeere

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