Setting Up Adobe Acrobat Reader as a Helper Application

If you are comfortable with changing settings in your browser software, you can set up the player as a "Helper App" or "Viewer." This will enable you to click on any graphic presentation file you see on our site and have it automatically download to the proper folder and then launch the reader.

Using Netscape, Microsoft Explorer or similar browser:

1. First, delete any current preferences you have for "pdf" files:
   • Choose Preferences from the Options Menu (or Options from the Edit menu for the Microsoft browser).
     
   • Choose the Helpers or Helper Apps tab.
     
   • Find any reference to "pdf".
     
   • Delete this entry from the helpers table. (On some versions of Netscape, choose Clear from the Edit menu.) If you are unable to delete it, make sure the you've chosen Unknown: Promp User under Action.
   • Click OK to accept the new Preferences.

2. Now, click on a graphic presentation link. You should be offered several options (if not, please try step 1 again)

3. Instead of choosing Save to Disk, choose Pick App., or Configure Viewer or Configure Helper.

4. In the subsequent pop-up screen, you should see the following: Mime Type: application/pdf. For the Microsoft browser fill in Description: Acrobat Reader: pdf.

5. Then, find and select the Acrobat Reader on your computer. You may need to click Browse or Choose to search.

6. Click OK. The Acrobat reader program should start and automatically bring up the presenation you selected.

Using the AOL Web browser:

1. Click the "Prefs" button on the Web browser toolbar.

2. Click the "Helper Applications" button in the upper right corner of the Preferences dialog box.

3. Click the "New..." button

4. Make sure the "Use a separate application" radio button is selected at the foot of the page.

5. Fill in the fields as shown here....
   
   • Description: Acrobat Reader files
     
   • Content Type and Sub-Type: "application/pdf"
     
   • File Extensions: pdf
     
   • Application Name: Click on "Browse", and locate Adobe Acrobat Rearder on your hard disk.
     
   • Press "OK" when done. Then press "Close" to exit the Helper Applications dialog box.

Back to Numbered VAES Publications