Application Form FAQs

We've compiled a list of our most frequently asked questions related to the downloading and printing of our forms.

  1. What is a PDF format?

  2. When printing some instructions and publications in PDF format all the words run together with no spaces between them, however, everything looks fine on the screen. Is there an error in your documents, or is it my system?

  3. I do not have a printer attached to my computer. How else can I get these forms?

  4. When downloading a PDF form, my web browser window goes blank and I never receive the file.

  5. Adobe Acrobat Reader claims the PDF file is damaged when I try to open it after downloading. Is your file damaged?

  6. How can I download a PDF file directly to my hard drive and bypass the Acrobat Reader plug-in that normally displays the form in my web browser window?

  7. Are there any known issues when printing these forms with specific printers?

  8. Do you have any other general troubleshooting advice for resolving print problems?

Q1. What is a PDF format?

Portable Document Format (PDF):
The PDF format is modeled after the PostScript language and is both device and resolution independent. Forms and publications in the PDF format can be viewed, navigated and printed from a workstation using the freely available Acrobat Reader software from Adobe Systems Inc. Versions of Acrobat Reader run on Windows 95, Windows NT, Windows 3.1, Macintosh, LINUX, IBM AIX, Sun SPARC SunOS, Sun SPARC Solaris, SGI IRIX, HP-UX, Digital Unix and OS/2 Warp.

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Q2. When printing some instructions and publications in PDF format all the words run together with no spaces between them, however, everything looks fine on the screen. Is there an error in your documents, or is it my system?

This issue can nearly always be resolved by obtaining and installing the most recent print driver available for your particular make and model printer. Most printer manufacturers, including Hewlett Packard, provide free printer driver updates from their web sites.

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Q3. I do not have a printer attached to my computer. How else can I get these forms?

You can call Dr. Hansen's office at 598-0851 and ask that they be mailed to you. You may also fill in the forms upon arrival for your scheduled appointment.

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Q4. When downloading a PDF form, my web browser window goes blank and I never receive the file.

Should you experience PDF files appearing as a blank window within your web browser after downloading, follow the appropriate steps below to resolve the issue:

Adobe Acrobat Reader
If you are using Adobe Acrobat Reader version 3.0 or earlier, upgrade to version 3.01 or later.

Internet Explorer
Please see Article ID: Q177321 in the Microsoft Support Online database for a possible resolution.

Use the "Saves a copy of the file" on the Adobe Acrobat Reader tool bar (a little disk icon) option to download the PDF file directly to your hard drive.

  • Select the file you wish to download.
  • When presented with the Results page use the "Save a copy of the file" on the Adobe Acrobat Reader tool bar (a little disk icon) to download the PDF file directly to your hard drive.
  • Use Adobe Acrobat Reader to open the file after downloading.

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Q5. Adobe Acrobat Reader claims the PDF file is damaged when I try to open it after downloading. Is your file damaged?

All of our files are verified prior to posting on the web site. Most likely your download was not successful. Try downloading the file again.

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Q6. How can I download a PDF file directly to my hard drive and bypass the Acrobat Reader plug-in that normally displays the form in my web browser window?

Below is the procedure to use for Internet Explorer with Windows 95 or NT 4.0. If you are using Netscape, substitute "Save Target As..." with "Save Link As...".

  • Select the file you wish to download.
  • When presented with the Results page use the "Save a copy of the file" on the Adobe Acrobat Reader tool bar (a little disk icon) to download the PDF file directly to your hard drive.
  • Use Adobe Acrobat Reader to open the file after downloading.

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Q7. Are there any known issues when printing these forms with specific printers?

  • Canon BJC 4100 - PDF files may not print properly in the printer’s photographic mode. Use the printer’s Graphics & Text or Automatic modes instead.
  • Canon LBP-81V - Use the printer’s bitmap mode for best results.
  • HP DeskJet Printers - If provided, it is recommended to use the printer’s Raster Graphics mode as opposed to the Vector Graphics mode.
  • HP DeskJet 500C - This printer has an unprintable area near the top of the page. Be sure to use the shrink-to-fit option in Acrobat Reader’s Print dialog box.
  • HP LaserJet Printers - For best results it is recommended that you use the printer driver’s TrueType font option to download TrueType fonts as bitmaps (not outlines).
  • HP LaserJet 5M - For best results, it is recommended that you use the standard HP Laserjet 5M printer driver and not the enhanced driver that ships with the printer.

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Q8. Do you have any other general troubleshooting advice for resolving print problems?

  • Raster vs. Vector Modes - You may get more consistent results if your printer driver is set to use Raster mode for graphics. Note, not all printer drivers have this mode.
  • Dithering - Set your printer driver’s Graphics/Dithering option to Fine or Coarse for best results when printing half-tone images. A setting of None will produce poor results.
  • 600dpi - If you experience problems printing to HP LaserJet printers in the 600dpi mode, try switching back to 300dpi mode or if it is equipped with a PostScript option, use the PostScript mode for 600dpi printing.
  • Printer Memory Issues using PDF format - If you encounter problems, such as a "Vmerror" printing to a PostScript Level 1 or 2 printer, it may be because the printer has insufficient memory available. Below are two potential solutions to this problem:
    • In the Acrobat Reader General Preferences dialog (select from the File>Preferences menu) you may choose to use Serif only or Sans only for font substitution. This frees up additional memory in the printer and chances are good your document will print successfully.
    • Upgrade the printer’s memory.

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