Problems when you save, open, or print documents (FrameMaker on Windows or Mac OS)

What’s covered

Resolve unexpected results when you open a document

Resolve problems when you save a document

Resolve problems with fonts or printing

Troubleshoot a damaged book file

An Adobe FrameMaker document may become damaged, causing unexpected behavior such as a failure to save, open, or print correctly. Such damage most commonly occurs in legacy documents that were created with older versions of FrameMaker or that have crossed platforms frequently. This document lists solutions for damaged publications. You may find a solution to a more specific problem in another document; search the Support Knowledgebase on Adobe’s website at www.adobe.com/support/products/framemaker.html .

Resolve unexpected results when you open a document

If you experience results such as document reflows, misplaced graphics, or incorrect numbering when you open a FrameMaker document, do one or more of the following:

1. Change the default printer. (Windows only)

When you open a document, FrameMaker uses information, such as font information, from the default printer in Windows. If this information differs from the original configuration when the document was created, then you may see unexpected changes. Ideally, use the configuration with which the document was created or one that is as close to it as possible. If you are unsure of the original configuration, use the last known working configuration.

To change the default printer for use with FrameMaker:

a. Go to the Printers folder (Windows 98/ME) or the Printers and Faxes folder (Windows 2000/XP).

b. Right-click on the desired printer.

c. Choose Set As Default Printer.

d. Close and restart FrameMaker.

2. Save the file in MIF format.

Because FrameMaker rewrites documents that are converted to MIF format, you may eliminate problem elements in your file by saving it as an MIF file. You can then resave the MIF file as a FrameMaker file.

a. Open the file in FrameMaker and choose File > Save As.

b. Choose MIF (*.mif) from the Save As Type menu, and then click Save.

3. Locate and correct or remove unresolved cross-references.

For instructions, see chapter 7 of the Adobe FrameMaker 7.0 User Guide or chapter 6 of the Adobe FrameMaker 6.0 User Guide.

4. Update Text Insets.

For instructions, see page 420 of the Adobe FrameMaker 7.0 User Guide or page 406 of the Adobe FrameMaker 6.0 User Guide.

5. Determine if the document contains conflicting formats or page elements.

Place elements from the FrameMaker document into a new document to determine if a format or page in the original document causes the problem.

To troubleshoot formats:

a. In FrameMaker, create a new document.

b. Import all of the formats from the original FrameMaker document, and then type a single line of text on the page.

c. Save or print the file to PDF.

— If the problem recurs, a conflicting element exists in an imported format. To isolate a conflicting format, repeat steps a through c, importing one format at time.

— If the problem doesn’t recur, a conflicting element may exist in a page of your original FrameMaker document. To isolate a conflicting page, troubleshoot the pages.

To troubleshoot pages:

a. Make a copy of the FrameMaker document.

b. In the copy, delete half of the body pages by choosing Special > Delete Pages.

c. Specify the start and end pages and click Delete.

d. Save or print the file to PDF.

— If the problem recurs, a conflicting element exists in one or more remaining pages of the document. Copy half of these pages into a second, new FrameMaker document and create a PDF file. Continue repeating this procedure until you isolate the conflicting page. When you find the conflicting page, re-create that page in the original document.

— If the problem doesn’t recur, repeat steps a through d to delete the other half of the body pages. If both halves of the document convert to PDF independently of each other, then the file as a whole is corrupt and should be re-created.

Resolve problems when you save a document

If you cannot save a document, do one or both of the following:

— Choose File > Save As, and save the document with a new name or in a different folder.

— Save the document in MIF format, copy its contents into a new file, and import its formats. See the previous section for instructions.

Resolve problems with fonts or printing

If text prints incorrectly (for example, text overlaps or characters are missing), or opening a document causes the message, “This document contains unknown font information,” use a different printer driver and PostScript Printer Description (PPD) file. Ideally, use the configuration with which the document was created or one that is as close to it as possible. If you are unsure of the original configuration, use the last known working configuration.

Troubleshoot a damaged book file

For a damaged book file, do one or both of the following:

— Isolate individual files that may be damaged in the book. For example, determine if printing always stops at the same file, or if only one file cannot be opened or saved. Then, apply the above solutions to the isolated file(s).

— Re-create the book file, regenerate lists, and reimport formats.

Additionally, when you attempt book operations (for example, generate Tables of Contents, update external cross references), FrameMaker opens each unopened book file and then closes it again. If you open the files before you attempt book operations, you bypass that process and you may avoid errors.

To open all of the documents in a book file at once:

1. In FrameMaker, open the book file.

2. Hold down the Shift key and choose File > Open All Files In Book.