Frequently Asked Questions
about our
Free Electronic Publications for Download
 
Due to the high volume of web traffic we've been receiving and the large file sizes, some of our users have reported difficulty downloading the free .PDF files (page errors, "document not found", etc.). Please try the following suggestions. If you are still experiencing problems please contact Jessica Brooks jeb@cwp.org
 

1. With Internet Explorer, I tried to view the pdf file but all I got was a blank Acrobat Reader window. Or -The first few pages of a pdf file appeared or printed ok but then the browser locked.

These are fairly common problem for users and sites. The reason is due to a process called "byte serving". Byte serving means that instead of waiting for a whole file to download before displaying it, an Internet browser only downloads enough to display or print the first page or so. When you use the scroll bar, page down or whatever to ask for more of the file, the browser downloads another few pages. Unfortunately, byte serving does not always work properly and the browser gets confused and gives up.

Two possible fixes:

  • When the page comes up with a link to download the manual, do not click on this link. Right click on the link and choose "Save target As" and then choose a file folder on your hard drive or server to download to and it will download the file rather than trying to open it in Adobe Acrobat.
  • In Acrobat Reader Version 4 or higher, you can change settings so that the pdf file appears in a separate Adobe window instead of within the Internet Explorer window.

    Reader Version 4
    Reader Version 5 & 6

    Open Acrobat Reader

    Select File | Preferences | General

    Tick Allow background unloading Uncheck

    Web browser integration.

    Open Acrobat Reader

    Select Edit | Preferences

    Select Options

    Uncheck Display PDF in Browser

2. I had the problem described above and now when I try to download the file, the download dialogue always stops at exactly the same point.

The "broken" file has been stored in the cache of your PC, office network or ISP and each time you try again to download it, you get the same stored "broken" file. If you have access to the cache, you can clear it, otherwise you will have to wait a couple of hours to a day for the cache to clear itself before you can try again.

If your question was not answered here or you need more help, please feel free to contact Jessica Brooks at jeb@cwp.org.