Struggling with pdf download from website

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Hello. I am having difficulty downloading pdf files from the Internet. May have started (not sure) when I upgraded Safari. It appears that the website attempts to download the pdf but I get a black screen without the document. When using the option to download directly to desktop, it works for some sites but not others. For those that do not work, it downloads a useless track.php.html file. I googled the problem and could not find this particular issue. First time poster so I apologize if I am in the wrong forum. Thanks !
 

chscag

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How about posting the URL of one of the websites you're attempting to download from so we can run some tests?

A bit of info: Downloading a PDF is just a matter of selecting it and using the save command. Updating Safari should make no difference. But if you feel there is a problem with Safari, try using another browser as a test. Firefox or Chrome for example.
 

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Have you installed any plugins lately? I ask because, by default, Safari has a built in PDF viewer and I've seen problems occur when there are plugin conflicts.
 
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Here are an example:

https://www.cags-accg.ca/ebrs_crs_online/monthly_articles.php

Not positive it will let you in because it is a password-protected site. I am looking to download the pdf article entitled: Sleep Deprivation in Surgeons under January 2012. But I have the same issues with any of the pdf files on this page. If this does not work, I will try to find another example.

I do not think I have downloaded any plug-ins recently but am not positive.

Thanks again.
 

chscag

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Provide another example web site as that one is for members only. Also, have you tried another browser as I suggested above? It's always a good idea to keep a spare browser on hand just for occasions when you think it's a browser problem.
 
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Maybe we can try this. Go to ASCRS: American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. (ASCRS = fascrs.org) In the column on the right toward the bottom is a link to Evidence Based Reviews in Surgery. When you click on that link the same thing happens. Black page. I do not know if this is a pdf file, but this is what happens. And not all pdf files are a problem. Just the ones I seem to need to download. I am able to successfully download from one of the hospital PCs but I would like to do it with my Mac. When I try Firefox, I get a page with a question mark in the middle surrounded by a Q. I am not making this easy, am I. Thanks again.
 

vansmith

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In the meantime, use Chrome since it has a built in PDF viewer. That will give you a workable browser until this problem is fixed (unless of course you choose to stay with Chrome).

As noted above, have you installed any plugins lately?
 

chscag

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I just went to that site and clicked on the link you suggested. It opened with Safari and it opened OK again when I used Chrome. There must be something else going on with your system.
 
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chas_m

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Chances are high that at some point the OP installed the dreaded Acrobat Reader and its default plug-in. That's a heck of a mess to clean up (shakes fist at Adobe).
 
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Sorry vansmith. I am not computer savvy and am not sure about plug-ins. I have updated Acrobat Reader a couple times and if that includes a plug-in, that may be the case. I vaguely remember now that the problem may have started around the time I updated Acrobat Reader. I will try Chrome and will stop by the Apple Store to see if there is anything else I can do about Acrobat. Thanks again to all of you.
 
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Downloading Chrome solved the problem and it works much faster than Safari on my computer. You guys rock. Thanks.
 

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