Looks like you need a PDF extension for Open Office. Check here to read and download the extension.

Here is a pictorial tutorial on running the repair feature for Vista, you might give that a try to clear up some of these issues. Does the jumping cursor happen with more than one program?

On the issue of things being 'exactly' the same as before after a full restore it never seems to happen. You will likely find little things will always be different than the previous install, some improvements, some not so much so.

my guess is you are touching your touch pad when typing causing the jumping problem, you can turn off the touch pad or make sure you are holding your hands up off of it.

You might want to get the pdfxchange program for your pdf's that is what I use, I do not use adobe.

PDF-XChange Viewer - Download.com

I have never seen one come back "as it was" after a full wipe and re-install.

Since I send PDF docs to my customers, I have to ensure they can open them to print. I tested one to myself (email) and when I tried to open it with Adobe, here's the screen I got:

{{gwi:1476685}}

Not sure what I'm suppose to select here, as nothing seems to work.

Owist: yes, the text typing jump happens in most programs that require typing (email, word, excel, etct).

Raven: It's not me hitting the touch pad. This just started after the new install of Windows and programs. Never did it before and I've been typing on this thing for years.

Thanks.

UTF-8 plus CR & LF (carriage return and line feed) are both correct for windows.

Have you already installed Service Pack 1 and all updates?

Yes, I installed all the Windows updates after I reloaded the operating system (Vista).

Been playing with this issue all day without a solution. Uggg.

debi, open Open Office Writer then select File \ Open and browse to the pdf that you want to read. Works for me. If the pdf is in an email, you can save it to your Desktop, then open it with OOW.

Rosie

tulsa: I tried that and I still get the screen as pictured above.

My ultimate goal is to stop using Open Office all together to save files as PDFs now that I have Office Pro 2010 which can save them that way, but I can't get it to do it without that screen appearing.

I tried opening some older PDF files from before this re-install (when I was using Pro 2000) and even they can't be opened now without the screen above coming up. I used to be able to open them when I was using Pro 2000.

When I attach a contract as a PDF file to my clients via email, it has to be easy for them to just click on it to open and print.

I have almost a full day into trying to figure this one even searching the Internet.

debi, wish I could help as I know you are terribly frustrated. Have you checked the file extension of the file you are trying to read when you receive that ASCII screen?

My only suggestion at this point is to run malware\virus scans just to be on the safe side. Also be sure your Adobe and OO programs are updated to latest versions.

Raven - I downloaded the PDF file you linked and it works. My question is: I'll be emailing my PDF docs with Windows Mail. Do you know if these will be readable by anyone who receives them? - in other words, does the receiver have to have Xchange Viewer downloaded as well?

This is a quick fix so I can at least move on with business as usual.

Thanks.

On the jumping cursor.
Are you using the same mouse?
Have you gone into the mouse settings to try resetting them?
Have you tried downloading mouse drivers from the maker's site and installing.
Can you try a different mouse?

-------------------------
On the PDF issue here is an interesting article.

If you are using Word to create your PDF files scroll down to where it says "Save a file as PDF" and click the "Word" link. There you will see how including this;-

Quote "If you want the file to open in the selected format after saving, select the Open file after publishing check box." Could that be the answer?

owbist: I'm using the same mouse. Settings seemed okay but I just downloaded driver so time will tell shortly if that worked. I hope so!!! I have a wireless mouse I can try - didn't think of that....but my brain is fried from the last few days with all this computer redo.

Thanks for the article. I followed directions but don't know if it worked since all PDFs are now being saved using the Xchange Viewer software that I downloaded per Raven. Just to try, I may uninstall it to see if those directions worked. If not, I can always reinstall Xchange Viewer. But, that will have to wait until tomorrow since my eyes are tired and I hear my bed calling me.

I thank everyone who gave me input. I hope I don't have to do this again for a long, long time, if ever. LOL.

I just wanted to update my post that my computer is back to norm. The PDF issue was solved using the download Raven suggested and works fine. Still can't open PDFs w/ Adobe Reader, but the other program does the job and evidently my clients can open them via email as well which was the important part.

The jumping cursor issue was quite baffling. After doing many days of research, I found that the issue goes back to the early 2000s on all kinds of 'puters. I couldn't type anything without the damn cursor jumping around constantly and inserting text where it didn't belong. BUT, finally, it dawned on my when I did my OS re-install and downloaded the touchpad mouse driver (though I use an external one via the USB), I didn't choose that I had a 32bit system. It had automatically loaded the 64bit driver which was apparently causing the issue. Duh!! It took me 2 weeks to figure it out, but I did. No jumping cursor and no more crashing computer. She's quite speedy now.

I appreciate everyone's help.

Glad to hear that all is well now.