Cant open PDF file on network

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xpd

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#189259 22-Dec-2015 09:00

Bit of an odd one......

Have a user here that needs to open some PDF's which are contained on a network drive similar to this for example :

(not exact)

J:\Projects-Dynamics\2000\7000\Projects\1412851_projectnameyoudontcare\Deliverables\002-LR Construction Noise and Vibration Assessment\Rev3\this is the pdf i want to open.pdf

Now, when he tries, Adobe Reader gives an error and wont open the file. I figured its because of the OS limitation of file/path length etc. BUT. A .docx version of the same file (which is actually longer in length due to the "x") opens perfectly fine.

I rename the PDF and knock off a few letters, and it opens fine. Which to my mind goes back to path length issue - yet the .docx is fine without being touched.

Tried Foxit PDF reader and it has the same issue.

Copy the file to the local desktop and it opens fine.

User has modify permissions to the drive.

I copied the link to my system to ensure it wasnt just him, but I get the same issue. The PA who created the file can open it fine, only thing is she is using Adobe Acrobat Pro, not the reader.

Does Windows 7 have some special workaround for long filenames from Office that dosent apply to 3rd party files such as PDF ?

And no, I cant :
* Shorten the file/folder names
* Map to the folder - way too many of these files/paths. English Alphabet isn't long enough ;)
* Go home early and forget about it via a bottle of Jim Beam.

Its too late in the year for this............. ;)

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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BTR

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#1454998 22-Dec-2015 09:17

Invalid characters or spaces in the file name. What kind of device is the person using?

Otherwise

1. Can the user just not drag the file to their desktop for one day and have it fixed in the new year?

2. Use a Mac :-)

3. Go home sick and buy something other than Jim beam on the way home :-)

BTR

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#1455002 22-Dec-2015 09:21

Also are you sure the user is trying to open the file in Acrobat reader and not Acrobat Pro?

xpd

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#1455004 22-Dec-2015 09:27

Characters/name are "legal".
Running Win 7 Enterprise
No Macs onsite and Im not using my budget to supply them one :-p
Acrobat Reader, they dont have Pro installed.

I have the same issue on my machine with the same files......

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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nathan

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#1455020 22-Dec-2015 09:34

Can Word open it?

BTR

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#1455047 22-Dec-2015 09:53

Is the person who created the document using the same version of Windows?

Xeon

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#1455124 22-Dec-2015 10:37

Usually the path/file length limit is 260, and its recommended not to exceed that path length for Windows, but "The Windows API has many functions that also have Unicode versions to permit an extended-length path for a maximum total path length of 32,767 characters."

So essentially, Microsoft Word uses the Unicode version but Adobe Reader uses the standard version so is limited to <260. Acrobat Pro at a guess may be using the Unicode one too.

I tried it quickly with a >260 file path, Word gave me a weird error when I tried to open but did open, Notepad++ also opened the file, but Adobe Reader just spew an error. Windows explorer also uses the standard one and it's a pain to try exceed the path limit but is possible.

xpd

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#1455140 22-Dec-2015 10:45

BTR: Is the person who created the document using the same version of Windows?

Yes

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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Brumfondl

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#1455147 22-Dec-2015 10:49

This might help...
http://helpdesk.maytechgroup.com/support/solutions/articles/129667-adobe-reader-xi-access-denied-message-opening-network-files

xpd

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#1455149 22-Dec-2015 10:51

nathan: Can Word open it?

Will give that a try actually.....

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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xpd

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#1455150 22-Dec-2015 10:52

Brumfondl: This might help...
http://helpdesk.maytechgroup.com/support/solutions/articles/129667-adobe-reader-xi-access-denied-message-opening-network-files

Cheers, will give that a shot :)

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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xpd

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#1455164 22-Dec-2015 11:11

xpd:
Brumfondl: This might help...
http://helpdesk.maytechgroup.com/support/solutions/articles/129667-adobe-reader-xi-access-denied-message-opening-network-files

Cheers, will give that a shot :)

Bingo, that worked :)

Cheers

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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andrew027

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#1455168 22-Dec-2015 11:18

What version of Reader is the user using? There is an issue with Reader XI not being able to open files with long path/file names (>260?) that Reader X could open, but only when XI opens in protected mode.

Try opening Reader XI and selecting File > Preferences.
Under Categories on the left of the dialog box, select Security (Enhanced).
Under Sandbox Protections at the top, make sure the Enable Protected Mode at Startup checkbox is not ticked.
Close Reader XI and try opening the file again.

But remember that PDFs can be used for distributing malware, etc. so only disable protected mode when opening files you trust - the best solution is to use shorter path/file names, or fewer folder levels.

Edit: Oops - looks like someone found the same info somewhere else. Must remember to read all the posts in the thread before replying!

richms

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#1455219 22-Dec-2015 12:29

This explains so many problems I have with my reciept storage strategy that I have not been able to explain.

Grrr stupid adobe using legacy stuff.

Richard rich.ms