1. What is a PDF file?
2. How do I download a PDF file?
3. When printing some forms in PDF formats, all the words run together with no spaces between them. However, everything looks fine on the screen. Is there an error in your documents, or is it my system?
4. I do not have a printer attached to my computer. How else can I get the requested form?
5. When downloading a PDF form, my web browser window goes blank and I never receive the file.
6. Adobe Acrobat Reader claims the PDF file is damaged when I try to open it after downloading. Is your file damage?
7. How can I download a PDF file directly to my hard drive and bypass the Acrobat Reader plug-in that normally displays the form in my web browser window?
8. Are there any known issues when printing PDF forms with specific printers?
9. Do you have any other general troubleshooting advice for resolving print problems?
10. On my PC, I notice a toolbar at the top of the frame in which the PDF file is displayed. Should I use the print icon at the extreme left of this toolbar or should I use the PRINT command in the FILE menu located at the extreme upper left hand corner of the display screen?
11. When all else fails, how can I get the form(s) I need?

PDF stands for Portable Document Format. This Adobe format reproduces the documents precisely as they were originally composed, provides built-in compression, provides built-in compression, is supported by all popular operating systems and is compatible with nearly any contemporary printer. The freely available Adobe Acrobat Reader software is required to view, print and search PDF documents.

Q2. How do I download a PDF file?

Just clink on the appropriate link (usually in blue and underlined) for the PDF form that you want. If your Adobe Acrobat Reader is properly installed, you should see the document displayed on your monitor.

Q3. When printing some forms in PDF formats, all the words run together with no spaces between them. However, everything looks fine on the screen. Is there an error in your documents, or is it my system?

This issue can nearly always be resolved by obtaining and installing the most recent print driver available for your particular make and model printer. Most printer manufacturers, including Hewlett Packard, provide free printer driver updates from their own web sites.

Q4. I do not have a printer attached to my computer. How else can I get the requested form?

See the answer to FAQ 11.

Q5. When downloading a PDF form, my web browser window goes blank and I never receive the file.

Should you experience PDF files appearing as a blank window within your web browser after downloading, follow the appropriate steps below to resolve the issue:

• Adobe Acrobat Reader - If you are using Adobe Acrobat Reader version 3.0 or earlier, upgrade to version 3.01 or later.
• Internet Explorer - Please see Article ID: Q177321 in the Microsoft Support Online database for a possible resolution.

Q6. Adobe Acrobat Reader claims the PDF file is damaged when I try to open it after downloading. Is your file damage?

All of our PDF files are verified prior to posting on the web site. Most likely your download was not successful. Try downloading the file again.

Q7. How can I download a PDF file directly to my hard drive and bypass the Acrobat Reader plug-in that normally displays the form in my web browser window?

Below is the procedure to use for Internet Explorer with Windows 95 or NT 4.0. If you are using Netscape, substitute "Save Target As..." with "Save Link As...".

• Select "PDF File Format" if necessary
• Select the files(s) you wish to download
• Click the "Review Selected Files" button
• When presented with the Results page use the "Save Target As..." option to download the file. This can normally be accomplished by right clicking (left click, if your mouse is configured for left handed operation) on the title link then selecting "Save Target As..." when presented with a menu
• Use Adobe Acrobat Reader to open the file after downloading

Q8. Are there any known issues when printing PDF forms with specific printers?

• Canon BJC 4100 - PDF files may not print properly in the printer's photographic mode. Use the printer's Graphics & Text or Automatic modes instead
• Canon LBP-81V - Use the printer's bitmap mode for best results
• HP DeskJet Printers - If provided, it is recommended to use the printer's Raster Graphics mode as opposed to the Vector Graphics mode
• HP DeskJet 500C - This printer has an unprintable area near the top of the page. Be sure to use the shrink-to-fit option in Acrobat Reader's Print dialog box
• HP LaserJet Printers - For best results it is recommended that you use the printer driver's True Type font option to download True Type fonts as bitmaps (not outlines)
• HP LaserJet 5M - For best results, it is recommended that you use the standard HP Laserjet 5M printer driver and not the enhanced driver that ships with the printer.

Q9. Do you have any other general troubleshooting advice for resolving print problems?

• Raster vs. Vector Modes - You may get more consistent results if your printer driver is set to use Raster mode for graphics. Note: not all printer drivers have his mode
• Dithering - Set your printer driver's Graphics/Dithering option to Fine or Coarse for best results when printing halftone images. A setting of None will produce poor results.
• 600dpi - If you experience problems printing to HP LaserJet printers in the 600dpi mode, try switching back to 300dpi mode or if it is equipped with a PostScript option, use the PostScript Level 1 or 2 printer. It may be because the printer has insufficient memory available. Below are two potential solutions to this problem:
  • In the Acrobat Reader General Preferences dialog (select from the File>Preferences menu) you may choose to use Serif only or Sans only for font substitution. This frees up additional memory in the printer and chances are good your document will print successfully.
  • Upgrade the printer's memory.

Q11. When all else fails, how can I get the form(s) I need?

The web page with the link to the PDF form should give you a contact phone number or e-mail contact. If not, call the appropriate information number below:

• 714-564-6000 for Santa Ana College Information
• 714-564-4000 for Santiago Canyon College Information

Note: FAQ's 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 were reproduced here in their entirety from the IRS site's FAQ Downloading and Printing for your convenience. FAQ's 2, 4, 10 and 11 were generated by the Academic Computing Center at Santa Ana College.