Recover from an Adobe update failure

This weeks WindowsSecrets column begins:

Adobe Reader update fails, ruins setup

Reader Thomas Keating ran into an extreme example of the problems that can happen in trying to keep Adobe Reader up-to-date.

    * "I recently received notification of an Adobe Reader update (version 9. something). I attempted — unsuccessfully — to download and install it. When this happened three times, I went to the help page. It suggested uninstalling Adobe reader and reinstalling it. I uninstalled it and then tried to reinstall Adobe 10.

      "It downloads but won't install. It says, 'Windows installer not found.' I tried disabling my firewall — no luck. I tried System Restore, and it took me back three days — and it uninstalled Windows 7 SP1.

      "Can you help me?"

Adobe's updates can be a royal pain. For starters, they're really multipart updates, although it isn't obvious. When the main Adobe Reader files need to be updated, Reader/Acrobat browser add-ons or plug-ins often need to be updated, too. Many times, I've found that a full Reader update cycle involves three separate downloads and installations: one for the main files, one for Internet Explorer, and one for Firefox; on each PC you're updating. Grrr.

That's an annoyance, but all too often there can be more serious installation problems — such as yours, Thomas.

In the rest of the column, I explain what I do when --- not if; when --- an Adobe product tanks on me

Other topics:

• Firefox 4 incompatible with RoboForm 6; and a workaround
• MS's Malicious Software Removal Tool (MRT); there's more to MRT than meets the eye.
• Do-it-all cleanup and tuneup tools

Full issue content:

Free content posted on April 14, 2011:

INTRODUCTION By Tracey Capen Visit the new Windows Secrets beta site Lots of changes under the hood Making Windows Secrets even more useful TOP STORY By Becky Waring Get wired performance from your Wi-Fi network Why Wi-Fi doesn't cut it for streaming video The secret sauce: powerline network adapters Mixed Wi-Fi/powerline network-design strategies Using your Powerline gear successfully LOUNGE LIFE By Kathleen Atkins The perplexing powers of the IT administrator WACKY WEB WEEK By Revia Romberg Twenty-four variations in a Chinese box

 
Paid content (voluntary contribution; you decide how much):

LANGALIST PLUS By Fred Langa Recover from an Adobe update failure Adobe Reader update fails, ruins setup Firefox 4 incompatible with Roboform 6 MS's Malicious Software Removal Tool Do-it-all cleanup and tuneup tools

BEST PRACTICES By Susan Bradley Tips for transferring sensitive information Somebody is out to get you and your data Basic steps for securely moving sensitive data

PATCH WATCH By Susan Bradley April brings showers of browser patches Start with these three critical updates Some critical fixes for browser-based attacks A profusion of confusing Office apps updates Vulnerability uses faxes to take over PCs .NET can be .skipped for now Patches that might affect line-of-biz apps Windows kernel update is a whopper A new tool for preventing troublesome rootkits Outlook gets extended authentication Regularly updated problem-patch chart

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