why can't i download PDF files

Question

Level 1

1 points

why can't i download PDF files

All of a sudden, last week or so, I am unable to download PDF files. They seem to download, but all I get is a completely black screen. Any idea what is happening, or how I can fix it? Thanks

iMac G5, Mac OS X (10.6.6)

Posted on Mar 9, 2011 11:53 AM

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Answer 1

varjak paw

Level 10

170,206 points

Mar 9, 2011 11:57 AM in response to userlarry

First, your profile says that you have an iMac G5 but also that you have Snow Leopard. That's not possible - Snow Leopard runs only on Intel-based Macs - so it will help people offer solutions if you clarify what you do have.

As to your problem, more details are needed. Is the PDF apparently completing download but then showing only a black screen when the PDF is opened, and if so what application is opening the PDF? If that's not the case, please more fully describe the process and when this problem is cropping up. Without more information it's difficult to make a diagnosis and offer suggestions.

Regards.

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Answer 2

userlarry Author

Level 1

1 points

Mar 9, 2011 12:19 PM in response to varjak paw

Sorry Dave. I have a 27 inch iMac. I don't know how to describe it better. Yes, I'm using snow leopard and yes, I have the Intel core 2 duo processor.

When I click on a link to get a pdf file, I get the pdf address in the box at the top of the screen, but my screen immediately goes black. Nothing on it at all. This is new, within the last couple of weeks. I don't know if it is connected to a recent software download. The download does not appear on my download list, so it is not actually downloading.

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Answer 3

varjak paw

Level 10

170,206 points

Mar 9, 2011 12:45 PM in response to userlarry

I have a 27 inch iMac. I don't know how to describe it better. Yes, I'm using snow leopard and yes, I have the Intel core 2 duo processor.

I'd describe it just like that, and probably would include the clock speed of the processor as well. The more specific you can be about what you have, the easier it will be for people to offer applicable suggestions. BTW, your profile now says that you have Mac OS X 10.4.6, which is going to confuse the issue even further.

When I click on a link to get a pdf file, I get the pdf address in the box at the top of the screen, but my screen immediately goes black. Nothing on it at all. This is new, within the last couple of weeks. I don't know if it is connected to a recent software download. The download does not appear on my download list, so it is not actually downloading.

The entire screen goes black, so that you don't even have the menu bar? Or do you mean that the browser window goes black? If it's just the browser window, what browser are you using?

Regards.

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Answer 4

userlarry Author

Level 1

1 points

Mar 9, 2011 1:49 PM in response to varjak paw

Dave, I have updated my profile, and it should now show 10.6.6. And you will have to forgive an old man, but when you ask about the clock speed, I don't know what that means. I'm using Safari version 5.0.3

You are right, it's the browser window which goes black, not the entire screen. The menu bar is there. Otherwise Safari is working normally.

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Answer 5

varjak paw

Level 10

170,206 points

Mar 9, 2011 2:38 PM in response to userlarry

userlarry wrote:
Dave, I have updated my profile, and it should now show 10.6.6. And you will have to forgive an old man, but when you ask about the clock speed, I don't know what that means.

Thanks, it's not a big deal normally. If you ever need to know, though (in certain circumstances it can help to determine the specific iMac model) you can run System Profiler and hook at the Hardware Overview and it will give you that information.

I'm using Safari version 5.0.3. You are right, it's the browser window which goes black, not the entire screen. The menu bar is there. Otherwise Safari is working normally.

Clearly Safari is trying to show the PDFs and failing. Do you recall installing any Safari Extensions, or anything to do with Adobe Acrobat? Either might be blocking display of a PDF. If not, just clearing the cache in Safari (Empty Cache command under the Safari menu) might help.

For a workaround, if you control-click on a link to any PDF, you should be able to choose Download Linked File and download the PDF, after which you should be able to open it with Preview or Adobe's Reader or Acrobat (the first command will save the file to whatever folder you have set in your preferences for downloads, the "Download ... As" will allow you to select where the download goes). You could also try a different web browser such as Firefox and see if that does anything different.

Regards.

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Answer 6

userlarry Author

Level 1

1 points

Mar 9, 2011 3:31 PM in response to userlarry

Excellent suggestions from Dave Sawyer. Thanks!

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Answer 7

Sep 10, 2011 5:07 AM in response to varjak paw

Dave,

I have experienced a similar problem after installing 10.6.8 (MacBookPro6,1; Intel Core i7; 2.66 GHz). I am unable to download pdf's from either FireFox 3.6 or Safari 5.1. I have attempted all the suggestions noted on http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Unable%20to%20download%20or%20save%20files without success. The url for the file is shown on the location bar, but a blank window is displayed with no download action taking place. This only seems to occur for pdf files, since I am apparently able to download other file types like ppt's (to my desktop).

Mike

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Answer 8

Dec 26, 2016 11:31 AM in response to michaelgreenbelt

I'm happy downloading iBook PDF files all of a sudden

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