How can I preview .pdf and .lit files in Windows 7?

[Alpha1851]

I am using Windows 7 Professional and a useful feature is the preview pane (ie open up a folder, highlight a selection, and a preview/picture of the file appears in the right hand side). So far, it's been a time saver for me. Unfortunately, I'm unable to preview .pdf or .lit files. When I click on a .pdf file the preview section reads, "this file can't be previewed;" when I click on a .lit file the preview section reads, "no preview available." Every other file extension can be previewed--word documents, pictures, excel sheets, filemaker files,wordperfect documents, mindjet files, everything but .pdf/.lit files. What should I do to make the preview function work for all files?

In case it's important, I previously used FileSee to quickly preview files, and .pdf worked w/ it. I can't recall whether .lit files did or not.

I've also tried switching out adobe for other .pdf viewers and it didn't make a difference.

I've read through Windows 7 the Definitive Guide and I've combed the net, but have been unable to find a solution. I've found similar questions that have been raised, but each involved Vista and there were no solutions posted, only the question.

Any solutions guys and gals?

 

[trinket]

This link looks promising - specifically, the last post by "Dirk". This makes reference to it as well. Unfortunately, that ditii.com URL itself is coming up as a totally blank page in two browsers I'm trying. Maybe try later, E-mail the site admin, or see if you can get at a cached version of what it said.

 

[Alpha1851]

I forgot to mention in my OP that my OS is Windows 7 Professional 32-bit, and I'm using Adobe 9 for .pdf files and Microsoft Reader for .lit files.

Trinket, thanks for the quick response! I'm off to look at those web pages.

 

[Alpha1851]

I've tried the suggestions from those sites and to the ones linked w/in them (thanks Trinket) but I still haven't found a solution(I did, however, learn how to open the registry in Windows 7 ).

-I updated my Adobe to 9.2--no difference
-I uninstalled Adobe and tried using Fox it Reader (this application seemed to solve the problem for other people)--no difference. I also tried using Tomahawk and that didn't work either.
-I turned off my spyware stuff (Kaspersky internet security Enterprise 2010)--no difference.
-I checked my Microsoft updates and all are installed. I dialed back the updates--no difference.
-I checked the registry to ensure that HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{DC6EFB56-9CFA-464D-8880-44885D7DC193} is there, and it is.
-I attempted to re-install Filesee to see if I could still preview .pdf and .lit files through it, but I received "Invalid access to memory location" when I try to open the program. Not sure why.

I find it odd that I can preview .pdf/.lit files in the explorer bar (taskbar at the bottom of the computer), but I can't in the preview pane.

 

[seven2go]

I don't know about PREVIEWS but have you looked into foxit?

http://download.cnet.com/Foxit-Reader/3000-10743_4-10313206.html

 

[Alpha1851]

^Yes, I tried Fox It Reader, Tomahawk PDF, Primo PDF, Adobe 9.2 Lite, and Full Adobe 9.2. I'm unable to preview .pdf files in any of them. I noticed that using Fox It Reader, seemed to be the solution for other people, but it hasn't made a difference for me.

Just FYI in case it's important--I can preview movie files, doc files, anything but .pdf and .lit. When I convert a document into .pdf, I can no longer preview it and when I convert a .pdf into a .doc file, I can preview it.

I appreciate everyone's help. I'm horrible at explaining this stuff, thanks for bearing w/ me!

 

[seven2go]

Might this help?

http://www.winhelponline.com/blog/enable-or-disable-thumbnail-preview-for-pdf-files/

 

[Alpha1851]

Both you fellas are much better google searchers than I am. You've definitely come closer to the topic than I did.

Seven2go, I tried fixing the registry manually and that made no difference. Then I ran the regedit program and that didn't make a difference either. I've noticed some other folks have problems w/ .pdf and .jpeg, but I can preview .jpeg if that makes a difference.

From this web page, http://www.winhelponline.com/blog/p...-types-for-the-preview-pane-in-windows-vista/
I downloaded previewconfig exe. It works w/ .pdf but I could only select "plain text," so the preview is messed up. It's there, but it's not a readable pdf file.

 

[Alpha1851]

I can't believe I forgot the cardinal rule for successfully operating Windows--when all else fails, restart that badboy and pray that it works! Sure enough, it's up to speed now. I uninstalled Adobe 9.2 and re-started. Then I reinstalled Adobe 9.2 and the preview pane for .pdf files works perfectly! I tried most of the .pdf programs, Adobe 9.2 Lite, Tomahawk, and Fox It Reader, and they all worked as well.

Maybe the .pdf preview wasn't initially operating correctly b/c I installed it through a backup file when I switched from XP to 7.

Thanks for the help fellas! I'm thrilled that this is working b/c it will save me a lot of time at work!

 

[seven2go]

That's not surprising Alpha.......Adobe has become such a resource HOG it almost needs a separate computer to run it.
I had gone back to an early version of 6 point something which ran very well but was FORCED into updating because SOME applications wouldn't run in 6.......
Thanks for posting back with results!