PDF File Problems!

If it is just within IE explorer that the problem with pdf files arises, it may be that the Adobe plugin has got corrupted. You could try uninstalling Acrobat Reader and reinstall (version 6.0.1 was released a few weeks ago, you can download it from

http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

You could also check the file association. Windows Explorer, Folder options, File types. Let it form the list (waving torch), then scroll to pdf. It should say opens with Acrobat reader; if it doesn't, then click change, select Acrobat reader, check the box 'always use....', click OK.

I cannot think what is causing Windows installer to pop up messages, if the installation was OK and the pdf file assoiciation is also correct.

It might be worth trying to see if you can open Acrobat reader from a shortcut or by double clicking on

C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Reader\AcroRd32.exe

If you can, see if it opens the pdf file using File/open in Acrobat, without the windows installation windows popping up.

Also, Edit menu, preferences, check that these look OK.

Finally, in Acrobat reader, you could try help menu, detect and repair

Another possibility is that something running in the background interfered with the installation (e.g. Antivirus software).

You could try uninstall Acrobat reader using add/remove, or the manual uninstall given (for v 5, but it's the same for v 6, with the obvious replacement of 5 by 6) in

http://www.adobe.com/support/techdocs/2e372.htm

Then try reinstalling in safe mode, or at least with your AV disabled.

There is a troubleshooting page at

http://www.adobe.com/support/techdocs/31066.htm although it does not address the the problem that you report.

Another possible information source is the event viewer (start, run, type eventvwr.msc , click OK). Look in the syatem and application logs to see if there are any error (red circle with white cross) or warning (yellow triangle with black !) events recorded that might be related to when you get the messages. If there are any double click on each in turn to get details; note Source, category, Event ID and anything in the description box.

To check the file association and its open command in detail, If you go to pdf in the file types window, click advanced, in the actions list it should say Open with Acrobat 6.0 in bold type, followed by print and printto. Highlight the Open with line, click edit. Under Action it should say Open with Acrobat 6.0. Under Application used to perform action, it should say (assuming that you installed in the default path)

"C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Reader\AcroRd32.exe" "%1"

The 'use DDE' box should be checked; blank under DDE message, application: AcroRd32, blank under DDE not running, and topic: system

But I doubt that there will be anything wrong there.

Out of ideas beyond those few shots in the dark, sorry