This document was writen for v4.x but the same principles can be applied to deal with the same problems using v5.x by sustituting the appropriate strings. The default install location for v5 is:

C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Reader\AcroRd32.exe.

Do you get any of these problems with Reader?

• You get system error dialogs on starting Reader
• You get an error dialog "Can't find AcroRd32.exe"
• You get an error dialog "Can't find AcroRead.exe"
• Reader won't run from a shortcut
• Double-clicking PDF icons, Reader opens OK but not the PDFs
• You have trouble opening PDFs or get error message when doing so
• Windows shows the wrong icons for PDF files
• ....and other problems

If so, I've written a document to help you to check if you have Reader (v4.x) installed and help check it is configured correctly. The document is deliberately written for those with little Reader/Windows knowledge so if style seems a bit too easy for you, please bear with me. I've included plenty of screenshots (thus the file size) to help give confidence to those not used to fiddling with Windows settings. It is free for you to read, download and share with others.

The document is available both in PDF - and for those still struggling to open PDFs - as a Word 97 doc. The PDF version is set to open a 133.3% zoom so that the many screenshots appear real size and readable. Choose from the links below:

• PDF - ("SetAssoc.PDF", Acrobat v3.x compatible, 220 kb)
• Word - ("SetAssoc.doc", Word 97, 175 kb)

If the error is received running from CD check the section of my Reader on CD PDF (400kb) about autoplaying CDs.