Web browsers such as Netscape Communicator and Internet Explorer have the ability to display PDF files within the browser program if they are configured correctly. The Acrobat Reader program needs to be specified as a helper application for the browser. Also there needs to be a PDF Viewer plugin in the browser’s plug-ins folder.
The first requirement is to have a version of the Acrobat Reader program on the computer’s hard drive. The reader program is a free download from Adobe: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html If you are not sure if the program is installed, do a Sherlock search of the hard drive. Find the application and note the version number. Usually it will be Acrobat Reader 4.0 or Acrobat Reader 5.0
In Netscape there is a preference setting for helper applications. In Netscape go to Edit > Preferences. Choose Navigator > Applications. Scroll down to the item called Portable Document Format. Make sure that it is tied to the Acrobat Reader program that is present on your hard drive.
After that, make sure that the PDF Viewer plugin is in Netscape's Plug-ins folder and that the plugin is for the SAME version of Acrobat Reader that you found in the list of helper applications. For example, If Acrobat Reader 4.0 is specified as the helper application, make sure that the PDF Viewer plugin is version 4 (and not 3 or 5). Use a Get Information command to learn the plugin’s version number. The Plug-ins folder is usually located in the Netscape Communicator folder.
In Internet Explorer there is also a preference setting for helper applications. In Internet Explorer go to Edit > Preferences. Choose Receiving Files > File Helpers. Scroll down to Portable Document Format and select this item. Click the Change button to view the current settings. The Application specified under File Type should be the version of the Acrobat reader that is on your hard drive. The Plug-in name should be set to PDF Viewer.
After that, make sure that the PDF Viewer plugin is in Explorer’s Plug-ins folder and that the plugin is for the SAME version of Acrobat Reader that you found in the list of File Helper applications. For example, If Acrobat Reader 4.0 is specified as the helper application, make sure that the PDF Viewer plugin is version 4 (and not 3 or 5). Use a Get Information command to learn the plugin’s version number. The Plug-ins folder is usually located in the Internet Explorer folder.