Cannot print PDF files

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Suddenly I cannot print PDF docs using Adobe reader’s latest version. It didn’t work on earlier versions either.
It worked one day & not the next. Same result on old, previously printed docs & new docs.

I am able to print from MS applications, print images using Canon app, make copies using an HP scanner. All these work normally.

Using Windows 7

Any suggestions?

Davidm

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It could be because of a program you have installed and is in the Startup Menu so trying the print in a clean boot could identify the cause http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135 but HP also have some steps you could work your way through http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=us&lc=en&docname=c01879546

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It could be because of a program you have installed and is in the Startup Menu so trying the print in a clean boot could identify the cause http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135 but HP also have some steps you could work your way through http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=us&lc=en&docname=c01879546

There was something in the startup that I did not recognize. Disabling it worked. Thanks. Now to figure out what it was.

Davidm

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There was something in the startup that I did not recognize. Disabling it worked. Thanks. Now to figure out what it was.

Well, I was premature. I got one page to print but the problem reappeared after a restart and I haven’t been succesful again yet.

I keep trying with the suggestions. Thanks.

Davidm

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I don’t know of an infection/PuP that would be selective to just affect PDFs but a scan with the free version of MBAM probably wouldn’t go amiss.

If it’s a program that you intend to uninstall, re-enable it in msconfig first otherwise you will be left with orphaned files and that item will remain in msconfig.

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Have you tried a different PDF reader?

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Have you tried a different PDF reader?

That was my next move. However, after running Malwarebytes, which found some undesirable items, I am able to print PDF files again.

Thanks for the input.

Davidm

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That was my next move. However, after running Malwarebytes, which found some undesirable items, I am able to print PDF files again.

Thanks for the input.

Although you can print again, give AdwCleaner a run as an added measure.

Click on Scan and uncheck any items it may list in the lower window you want to keep then click on Report which will show what it has found and can Delete.

Close the report then click on Clean where it will produce another report after the reboot to show what it has deleted.

If it didn’t find anything then close the report and click on Uninstall.

Not sure what MBAM found was targeting the PDFs or the printer, but what was the item you didn’t recognize in msconfig ?

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Although you can print again, give AdwCleaner a run as an added measure.

Click on Scan and uncheck any items it may list in the lower window you want to keep then click on Report which will show what it has found and can Delete.

Close the report then click on Clean where it will produce another report after the reboot to show what it has deleted.

If it didn’t find anything then close the report and click on Uninstall.

Not sure what MBAM found was targeting the PDFs or the printer, but what was the item you didn’t recognize in msconfig ?

The msconfig item was a set of upper & lower case letters and didn’t have a company name. I didn’t make a note of it.

The AdwCleaner scan list produced several legitimate looking items, some even Microsoft, that I didn’t recognize. I left them intact.

On a perhaps a related issue what is Aokupmamm.dat? Something is looking for it but it can’t be found. I get an error message on bootup that it can’t be loaded

Thanks for the help.

Davidm

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Google hasn’t even heard of that one so it isn’t a system file – have you done a file search for it ?

It’s possible it could have been part of what MBAM took out but left some residue that is inactive without it ?

Run a scan with ESET Free Online Scanner

Click on Advanced and check all of the boxes except the Proxy one then disable your AV immediately before hitting the Scan button and you can check the box to uninstall on completion.

This scan can take a couple of hours depending how much you have on your computer – but it is thorough.

You could also create a Boot log which may show what is having difficulty and checking the box for OS boot information will show the loading and if anything is sticking http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/tr-dojo/monitor-windows-7-boot-logs-with-the-help-of-msconfig/

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Google hasn’t even heard of that one so it isn’t a system file – have you done a file search for it ?

It’s possible it could have been part of what MBAM took out but left some residue that is inactive without it ?

Run a scan with ESET Free Online Scanner

Click on Advanced and check all of the boxes except the Proxy one then disable your AV immediately before hitting the Scan button and you can check the box to uninstall on completion.

This scan can take a couple of hours depending how much you have on your computer – but it is thorough.

You could also create a Boot log which may show what is having difficulty and checking the box for OS boot information will show the loading and if anything is sticking http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/tr-dojo/monitor-windows-7-boot-logs-with-the-help-of-msconfig/

I tried Google also and there’s no sign of the “aoku…..dat” file on my PC. I’m just curious about what process is calling for it.

Everything appears to by running normally now.

I’ll try the other items you mentioned, thanks.

Davidm

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So, has being able to print PDFs been restored ?

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So, has being able to print PDFs been restored ?

Yes, thank you. The Malwarebytes scan detected & removed a few undesirables then I was able to print PDF files.

It was then that the “Aoku…. can’t be loaded” error message appeared. I vaguely remember seeing that error message a good while ago but I can’t remember how I got rid of it.

Everything appears to be running normally now.

I’m currently using the ESET scan to see if there is anything else lingering there.

I appreciate your help on this and the reference to the several malware scanning tools.

Davidm

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It’s just that you said before that after you ran MBAM it only printed one page and you were pretty much back to square one.

For something to want to access a non system file on boot, that process must be in either the Startup items or non MS services in msconfig, so if it’s still appearing then another look in there may help – but see if ESET comes up with anything – I take it you have reverted from the clean boot.

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It’s just that you said before that after you ran MBAM it only printed one page and you were pretty much back to square one.

For something to want to access a non system file on boot, that process must be in either the Startup items or non MS services in msconfig, so if it’s still appearing then another look in there may help – but see if ESET comes up with anything – I take it you have reverted from the clean boot.

As I remember the order of events, disabling a startup item in msconfig did allow me to print a trial pdf page successfully.

Then on the next reboot the print function failed again. I ran Malwarebytes which identified & removed a few items. That enabled full pdf printing.

It was then that the “Aoku… did not load” error message appeared. Everything appeared to function correctly but I was (am) curious as to what was looking for that “Aoku…. dat” file.

That’s the mode I’m in now.

I have reverted from the clean boot and ESET didn’t seem to produce anything except some links to other third party programs that required a subscription.

Thanks for your interest. I think I’m in the clear.

Davidm

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One day I could no longer use Adobe Reader to view any pdf file, period. After trying some things, I completely removed Adobe Reader and went with another free version product: PDFXVwer25211.
Earlier, I removed Adobe AIR because I finally realized I never used it.
Also, I removed Adobe Flash Player from FF. I completely re-instated it, it is needed by many places.
However, to return to my suggestion: remove Adobe Reader & install PDFXVwer25211; it does everything I need it to do: read & print pdf files.

"Take care of thy backups and thy restores shall take care of thee." Ben Franklin, revisted

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One day I could no longer use Adobe Reader to view any pdf file, period. After trying some things, I completely removed Adobe Reader and went with another free version product: PDFXVwer25211.
Earlier, I removed Adobe AIR because I finally realized I never used it.
Also, I removed Adobe Flash Player from FF. I completely re-instated it, it is needed by many places.
However, to return to my suggestion: remove Adobe Reader & install PDFXVwer25211; it does everything I need it to do: read & print pdf files.

OK, thanks, I’ll try it.

Davidm

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That’s fine and I’ll leave you to sort that one but I think you should still look to msconfig for the source of that if it no longer appears in a clean boot.

For your original problem you can use the Thread Tools dropdown to Mark Thread as Solved.

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