Client unable to make PDFs with PM7

[starr226]

A client of ours is a local HS that has been using Pagemaker 7 on PCs solely for paste up purposes. they are almost the last of our clients to not yet move on to electronic means of output.
We sent them instructions on how to make PDFs using PM7 but say that when they go to Print that "Acrobat Distiller" isn't an option in the PPD setting.
By their information the only distiller they have on file is Distiller 8, so I don't know if that version is even compatible.
I've done my research, however, and found that the application disk should have everything they need to make PDFs; PS Printer, Distiller 5.0 - but they don't seem to either have that disk, or have access to it. So I'm not only working blind, I'm working, seemingly, without the original source materials.

To be safe, I'm going to go ahead and assume that they don't have the proper PS driver, either.

So...what can I do?

I'm supposed to be going to help resolve all their PDF issues this weekend, but I feel that we may both be out of luck, and yet I don't want to lose a client because they lack the tools to move to electronic output.

Thanks for all your help, in advance

 

[BionicJohn]

PageMaker requires the PPD file for Distiller to be installed within its own folder structure - it will not find PPDs located elsewhere, i.e. within the Windows folder structure. It will then appear in the Print Dialogue after re-starting PM.

In short, the Distiller 8 PPD (I don't know its exact name) needs to COPIED to the folder
C:\Program Files\PageMaker 7.0\RSRC\[LANGUAGE]\PPD4
(The [LANGUAGE] sub-folder for English is either UKENGLSH or USENGLSH.)

I wrote this years ago (Distiller 5!) and it may help as it's got screen shots, albeit of Win2K.

http://www.johndavies.mersinet.co.uk/exportpdf/ppd.htm

PM7 is not going to fully integrate with Distiller 8 to enable export macro. However, all is not lost, and your client should be able to create a PDF either by using the "Adobe PDF" printer or the using "FILE:" as the port for a Postscript printer to generate the necessary Postscipt file from which Distiller can create the PDF.
General procedure for PDF creation
(The link is to AbobeForums.com which is in a right mess at the moment - I am waiting for my editing rights to be restored amongst other things.)

If they are using WinXP, the Postscript Driver is included by default, but they may need to fully install it.
Otherwise:

http://www.johndavies.mersinet.co.uk/exportpdf/installpsdriver.htm

which is out of date but the same principles apply.

And finally, it's time to move on from PM, as it's not only obsolete but lacking compatibility with current OSs and other software, and even basic things like Opentype fonts. These problems are going to cost more in lost time and opportunity than the cost of InDesign.

Liverpool: Capital of Culture 2008
Anfield: Capital of Football since 1892
Iechyd da! John
Glannau Mersi, Lloegr.

 

[grafixenter]

Try downloading the free pdf maker called Primo

http://www.primopdf.com

It is quite a good one