problems reading pdf files on screen

[rugbyballs]

I am having problems reading pdf files onscreen. The file loads ok but then lines of print seem to merge into each other. Anyone help?

 

[FredWagner]

What browser are you using, and what version of Acrobat Reader?
Are these files you've scanned yourself, did you download them or were they emailed to you?

Fred Wagner

 

[rugbyballs]

Thanks for your reply.

Browser is Firefox. Acrobat reader is latest version ( I checked). The files are all downloads.

 

[FredWagner]

Have you tried increasing the magnification in Acrobat Reader? You may have to go to page width setting rather than page height, depending on your screen size. Also, some organizations publish an 'electronic edition' of their magazine, which uses 6 point or 9 point type, which is unusable on a computer screen, unless you blow it up so much you have to scroll back and forth to read a line.
For something very readable in a downloadable PDF, go to

http://www.cal-moaa.org,

and on the right side of the home page, choose the newsletter for the GoldenWest chapter - I publish it using MS Publisher, and use 14 point type for my senior citizen readership. for a newsletter that is harder to read, look at the Rio Hondo chapter - much smaller type!

Fred Wagner

 

[rugbyballs]

I have tried your helpful suggestions, but none make any difference.

I have noticed that the problem is not there when the page first loads but soon appears and then gets worse.

Thanks again for you reply Fred

 

[FredWagner]

Since the page appears OK and then detiorates - rather than Viewing the document directly, see if you can download it, and the open the local copy.
If that doesn't work, and the item is on the web, give me the URL and I'll see what it looks like when I try to view it.

Fred Wagner

 

[rugbyballs]

Not sure what you mean by the first part of this, Fred. All items are the same but here is one on the web.

http://www.ebu.co.uk/lawsandethics/articles/orangebook/default.htm

If you click on the link to Orange Book that document suffers from the problem that all my downloads do!

Thanks

 

[FredWagner]

I opened the Orange Book document in your link - 74 pages - all area quite readable, a bit of a pause when I jumped from page 12 to page 74, but it all works. Your problem might be in your network connection - shared, congested, saturated - or your browser. I'm use IE8. Try IE or Chrome, or something other than FireFox and see if your results change. also - are you using a laptop, and if so, wired or wireless network connection ?

Fred Wagner

 

[rugbyballs]

I have just changed to wireless connection but I think the problem arose before that.

I will try in IE and let you know.

Thanks

Joe

 

[FredWagner]

Isolate the problem by Saving the PDF file on your local drive, then opening it there, instead of across the network. View it from both browsers, and also directly in Acrobat Reader without going through a browser, and compare the results.

Fred Wagner

 

[rugbyballs]

Tried it just the same, if not worse. Seems the problem is with the Acrobat reader to me.

 

[rugbyballs]

I opened a file that I had saved a long time ago, so no browser involved.

Same problem.

 

[FredWagner]

Sounds like the problem is on your machine. Make sure you're current with Windows Updates, and also check for driver updates for your Video card.
Have you cleaned up your system lately? Defragged the drive, made sure you have sufficient swap file space, etc?


Fred Wagner

 

[rugbyballs]

Thanks Fred, will try some of these!

 

[rugbyballs]

I have now noticed that if I leave a pdf file for 10 minutes or so, it looks ok!

 

[rugbyballs]

Windows updates are current.

 

[FredWagner]

I think the issue is a combination - you're looking at large files - 74 pages in the sample you gave me - and you've got a less than ideal network connection, so you can open a file, but the full display doesn't happen immediately, and you get a tiled display without full definition at first - the effect is most pronounced as you page throught the document before it's fully downloaded.

Fred Wagner

 

[rugbyballs]

That makes sense, though it even happens with very small documents!

Guess I will just have to wait for the files to settle down.

Will try the defrag anyway.

Thanks again for all your help!

Joe