Started having problems opening and saving PDF files

[ttraylor]

I have not have this problem until recently. I started having problems opening and saving PDF file. I use Firefox 6.0.2 and I was using Adobe Reader 10. When the problem started, I deleted Adobe and installed FoxIt 5.0 but I am having the same problems.

When I try to open a PDF, the PDF reader opens but nothing will appear to view. If I try and save the PDF to a folder it will not save. It acts like it saves, but when you go to the folder, there is nothing there. I will not save to a thumb drive either.

I have scanned my computer for Malware and for virus but have found nothing. I use AVG virus protection and Zone Alarm.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Maguscreed]

First and foremost, you need to pick either avg or zone alarm.
I personally suggest dumping them both and just running with MSE.
It does sound like something has decided to block or otherwise interfere with pdf files. and the antivirus and firewall would be the first suspects on my list.

 

[Roderunner]

Hi ttraylor,
If they are large pdf's, they can take a few minutes to appear if opening or downloading it.

 

[ttraylor]

First and foremost, you need to pick either avg or zone alarm.
I personally suggest dumping them both and just running with MSE.
It does sound like something has decided to block or otherwise interfere with pdf files. and the antivirus and firewall would be the first suspects on my list.

Both are free versions so AVG is anti-virus only and Zone Alarm is just the firewall. I don't want to dump them unless I can really prove that they are the problem.

 

[ttraylor]

Hi ttraylor,
If they are large pdf's, they can take a few minutes to appear if opening or downloading it.

A very large file or a very small file has the same problem. I forwarded the same files to my office an had no problem opening them and saving them.

 

[Maguscreed]

MSE is free and does the job of both.
It also has no known issues with windows 7.
Unless you are using a pirated copy.

 

[ttraylor]

Ok, I tried to download MSE and I can't save it. Should I try and delete AVG and ZA and then see if I can save the file?

 

[kegobeer]

If you can't download MSE, you may have a virus/trojan. Blocking anti-virus applications is a sign of a possible infection. When was the last time you did a full virus scan? Do you visit "suspect" websites or anything along those lines? Only asking because they are a breeding ground for viruses and trojans and other malware.

 

[rraod]

Is this happening only to PDFs on internet sites or local PDFs as well?

Adobe Reader 10 is a good free program. I suggest you try to download a fresh copy and reinstall it again.

After installation of Adobe Reader, take a look at one of the local PDF file, Do you see the PDF icon on the file or a blank icon?

You can try to open the PDF by different methods.

1. Double click on the PDF file.
2. Open Acrobat Reader and drag and drop the PDF in to it.
3. Open Acrobat Reader and use File Open command, navigate to the folder where the PDF file is located, select and open.
4. Right click on PDF file and use Open With command and select Acrobat Reader.

If all of these fails, then you have a problem.

 

[Roderunner]

If you can, download from a known clean pc then run a full scan in safe mode with SUPERAntiSpyware.com - SUPERAntiSpyware Portable Scanner

 

[marsmimar]

Adding to other suggestions to check for malware, I'd also recommend Malwarebytes Free. Update the database and run a full scan. It seems to catch things others miss.

Malwarebytes : Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is a free download that removes viruses and malware from your computer

You may have somehow lost ownership of your files preventing them from being opened.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1911-take-ownership-shortcut.html

If ownership is not a problem you might consider using Adobe's latest and greatest PDF program called Adobe Reader X. Or another freebie called Nitro PDF Reader.

PDF reader, protected mode | Adobe Reader X

Nitro PDF Reader

 

[Britton30]

It is possible one or more of the PDFs you tried to open were tainted with some badwares as well. You can try a scan without booting into Windows with http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/166445-microsoft-standalone-system-sweeper.html#post1424613

I aslo use Foxit Reader because Adobe reader is very big, bloated and phones home too much.

 

[ttraylor]

I ran a full virus scan and a full MalWare scan when the problem started and the found no problems. I try and stay away from any suspect sites as much as I can. At this time I use AVG and Zone Alarm for my security.

I downloaded Adobe 10.1.1 at work and brought it home and installed it but that did not change anything. I can open PDF's on my computer but I can't open then from email or from the web and now I can't download any programs at all from the web.

I did change my phone system from AT&T to Cox (not sure if my problem started at this time). The phone modem hooks into the internet but not into the computer so I don't think that could be a problem, but maybe it is.

I also have a router that my son installed for me (so he could use it when he was home) but I have had that for a few months and this problem just started.

 

[MilesAhead]

Have you tried a different browser?
It could be that FF settings got hosed or something got corrupted.

 

[ttraylor]

Have you tried a different browser?
It could be that FF settings got hosed or something got corrupted.

Didn't think of that, so I tried IE and went to download.com and tried to download Foxit and then Adobe Reader and both times I was told that they has a virus and they were deleted.

I then ran a complete scan using Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool and it found no problems. I have something going on, but I just don't know what.

 

[Britton30]

It is possible one or more of the PDFs you tried to open were tainted with some badwares as well. You can try a scan without booting into Windows with http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/166445-microsoft-standalone-system-sweeper.html#post1424613

Please try this one.

 

[ttraylor]

When I tried to download the MS Standalone, IE said it had a virus and deleted it. I will download it at work and bring it home.

 

[Britton30]

When I tried to download the MS Standalone, IE said it had a virus and deleted it. I will download it at work and bring it home.

You have a serious problem, IE has no way to detect viruses. Get the stand alone soon and run it as in the tutorial. It sounds like you have a rootkit, worm or trojan.

EDIT:
Another member, Karlsnooks sugested:
Safety Scanner, Microsoft Safety Scanner - Antivirus | Remove Spyware, Malware, Viruses Free, is free, downloadable, provides on-demand scanning and helps remove viruses, spyware, and other malicious software. It works with your existing antivirus software.

 

[ttraylor]

Thank you Britton30, I used the Stand Alone program and it found - Trojandownloader: Java/openconnection.oi. It also cleaned my computer and everything seems to be back to normal. - EDIT - I spoke to soon, I still can't download any programs. I tried to download Microsoft Safety Scannner and that was a no go! And the problems continue.

 

[Britton30]

Here is some info on the trojan: http://www.microsoft.com/security/p...?Name=TrojanDownloader:Java/OpenConnection.OI

Near the page bottom is a link to remove Java, which I highly recommend, this trojan uses a Java exploit to run.

It has also been seen by another member who cleaned it with MS Security Essentials (link below my sig) and the stand alone sweeper: http://www.sevenforums.com/system-s...ssentials-windows-defender-2.html#post1534623

Below my sig is a link to Super AntiSpyware, try to download and run it as well after updating it. You may have to do this from another PC again.

Also in my previous post try the Microsoft Safety Scanner at work if possible. This is a tough trojan.