I have found a certain pdf file that can not be opened by a specific computer.  The computer is running Windows 7 and has all of the latest software updates.  The pdf, as far as I can tell, is completely normal.  When attempting to open the bad pdf on the problem computer, Adobe Reader freezes forever and must be closed.  Here is what I have tried:

0. The computer is plugged in and turned on. Rebooting did nothing.

1. I confirmed that the problem file can be opened successfully on any other Windows 7 computer with Adobe Reader and/or Acrobat.  No problems there.

2. I opened several different pdfs on the problem computer.  All of the various pdf files opened successfully on the problem computer, except for the one file I am trying to open.

3. I tried opening the bad pdf file on the problem computer using several different Adobe products and other programs, including all of the common internet browsers.  Every program stops responding and fails to open the file.
 
Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!Has that computer ever had some odd problems?
Has the computer been updated? Has a virus scan been run recently?
What would make one computer different? Please give make and model.
Which version of Adobe Acrobat?
Have you tried other readers?
What is the size of the PDF file?
Using another computer, what special attributes does the 'bad' file have?

Can that 'bad' file be edited? Can you make a backup copy of that file using a PDF editor. Change just one tiny thing and save the file with a new name. The try to open it with the problem computer. What happens?




As far as I know, that computer has never had any strange or serious problems, but I am not its primary user.  The computer is always updated and kept free from viruses, as it is supported by one of the best IT teams I know of.

The pdf would open successfully on computers of the same make and model.  It is a DELL Optiplex 990 running Windows 7 Professional.

I tried opening it using Acrobat XI and Reader 9 and 11.

The bad file is 2 Mb, which is normal for the size of the document.

I only have one good guess.  I noticed that the problem pdf file has a digital signature inserted.  Perhaps there is an attached certificate which the problem computer didn't like.  However, that still shouldn't cause all of those programs to freeze when trying to open the document.You may need to try some experimentation.
May I suggest two experiments.
1. Try using another user account on the same problem computer.
2. Tr some of the other PDF readers available for windows.

List of PDF software
Some are free as a promotion for other products.
GIMP
Foxit PDF Editor
LibreOffice

If none of these works, it must be an ISSUE of permission to READ the document. But that would not explain the bad behavior. One would expect justg a simple MESSAGE to the effect that you LACK permission.