Help Page

Downloading Basics for Beginners and AOL Users

First, before you can download, open and read the ebook files, you will need to download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader. 

This is the only way to access the .pdf files. If you have an old version, you'll get much better results with the newest one. Once it has been downloaded, double-clicking on the downloaded file will install this great utility on your computer. Then you will be able read almost any file type with this invaluable software. It preserves all the images and text formatting of the original document and allows you to print the file out easily.

Here's how you do it:

1. Create a new folder*on your computer to receive the files you will download. Next click on the link that will begin the download process.  http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html  

Note to AOL users: AOL users consistently have the most problems with downloads, which is due to their browser software. If you get the "invalid handle" error when you click a download link, try right-clicking (Mac users, click and hold) and selecting "Save File As..." from the pop-up menu.) Your browser may prompt you to choose a destination for the file it is about to download. Save the file into the new folder you created. When you click OK, the download will begin.

AOL has been having sporadic download problems recently resulting in incomplete downloads. What happens is that AOL cuts off the download before it is complete, and gives you no warning message. If you experience this, try the following:

A. Delete the incomplete file and try the download again. 
B. Try downloading using Internet Explorer or Netscape rather than the browser built into AOL

If you continue to have problems please complain directly to AOL technical support as they really do need to fix this widespread download problem and won't if you don't say anything! They need to know it's very frustrating for you, as well as the rest of their customers who are usually new computer users. It drives me crazy too because I must spend considerable time helping AOL users with downloads. Maybe we should start billing AOL for all the time and trouble they've caused us!

The Adobe Acrobat Reader file is about 8 megs and will take several minutes to download depending on your connection speed.

When the download is complete, the dialog box tracking your download progress will simply disappear. You now have the file on your computer. Acrobat Reader file name is called ar500enu.exe.  

Double click on the Adobe Acrobat Icon and it will self install for you. 

2. Next you can download the e-books or reports and bonus files by clicking on the individual download links. When downloading the e-books, reports and the bonuses, you may simply have a new browser window open, instead of seeing a pop up window asking you where you want to save the file. 

If this happens, it's fine, but you will have to remember to name and save each of the e-books or reports to a folder before you close the browser window. 

If your connection is interrupted or your computer crashes, you will have to download the files again. It is a good idea to bookmark the download page in case this happens so you can go back and re-download the files.

3. Before you save the files, check to make sure you have completely downloaded the whole document. To do this, have a look at the last page (the page counter is located at the bottom left of the window and will show for example, 1 of 22, you will also see arrows on either side of this little window), click on the arrow pointing right with the line next to it located at the right side. This will take you to the last page, if it is blank, it still needs to download, so please wait until it does. Then save the file to your folder.

4. Now open that download folder and view the contents. Just double click on the e-book or report pdf file and it will now open for you in the Acrobat Reader. You can also print the file if you wish.

Any Problems and What to Do About Them

If you have any problems downloading the file please do not pay again! Simply send us an email with your order number and a description of your problem and we will make every effort to help you as soon as possible. 

Please be sure you have given us your correct email address so that we can respond and also realize that mail servers can sometimes be down or slow.  We always try to respond immediately to your email. If we don't, there may be a server or network problem occurring, so please be patient.

sg@stangrist.com

First, make sure you have the FREE Adobe Acrobat Reader, which you can download from this site or at the bottom left of the Adobe home page. This is the only way to access the .pdf files. If you have an old version, you'll get much better results with the newest one, version 4.0.

http://www.adobe.com/

Files in Adobe Acrobat's Portable Document Format (.pdf) allow you to print out pages that look exactly as the designer intended no matter what computer or software you're using. With the free Acrobat Reader, you can view these files online. Then, after downloading them to your hard drive, you'll be able to print and use them.

Frequently asked technical questions ... and the answers!

Like all software, Acrobat has its quirks. But it's an extremely useful tool and worth the time to get it working. Here are some fixes discovered and shared by others.

Q: I can't save the .pdf files ... or ... They're saved but they won't open from my hard drive ... or ... They open but there's nothing there.

A: If you're opening the file online, then using your browser's "Save" or "Save As" function, they may not always save completely. Instead, on a PC,right click on the link to download to your hard drive directly. On a Mac, click-and-hold. Using either computer, choose the "Save" function that appears when you click as instructed.

Q: I can't print the .pdf files ... or ... They print but they run off the edges of the page ... or ... Parts of the page don't print.

A: There are several things to check here:

• First, make sure you're using the "print" command in Acrobat Reader — not the one on your browser.
• Adobe says there are known problems with the HP100C printers and with Apple Laserwriters.
• Make sure you are downloading the document properly. Follow the directions exactly!
• If the documents print, but seem too big, check your print dialogue box (where you give the printer instructions when you hit the "print" command inside Acrobat Reader) for a "shrink to fit" or "print to fit" line and make sure the box is checked. (And if the documents seem too small for the pages, make sure that box is not checked!)
• Check the website of your printer manufacturer to see if they offer an updated printer driver. If so, download and install it. (This is often the solution.)
• If parts of the page still do not print while others do, try downloading an updated version (4.0) of Acrobat Reader at www.adobe.com.

Q: When I try to print .pdf files, they print mostly OK, but some of the type is jumbled so some letters print on top of other letters, and some of the spacing is off.

A: If you're using a Windows computer ...

• After you click on "Print," but before you click on "OK," click on "Properties."
• Then click on "Print Quality."
• Then in the "Text Mode" section, click on "True Type as Bit Maps." Then click on "OK."
• Finally click on "OK" to print the document.

If this corrects the problem for you, you'll need to adjust these settings each time you start Adobe Reader. (Your computer won't remember them.)

This is the extent of our technical know-how. If you don't find your answer here, please consult the help desk at www.adobe.com.