PDF Reader 'corrupting' file upon opening, but original file is fine

jontangUC · September 10, 2022

I recently downloaded a book off of babel.HathiTrust.org (https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo1.ark:/13960/t1tf0bz6k&view=1up&seq=1&skin=2021) as a PDF, and moved it into Zotero. Upon opening in Zotero's PDF reader all the pages are covered in squares of splotchy grey and make the file unreadable. If I open the PDF through right-clicking, selecting "Show File", then opening the file through Finder, the PDF is perfectly fine and readable.

Downloading single pages as well as the whole book reproduces this problem, as well as duplicating the file. Any help in resolving this issue so that I can open and annotate the book through Zotero would be appreciated! I can provide any more information (such as screenshots).

martynas_b · September 12, 2022

You can try going to Zotero Preferences → Advanced → Config Editor and setting layers.acceleration.disabled to true.

If that doesn't help, revert the setting back and please send a screenshot.

jontangUC · September 12, 2022

I've changed the preferences, and didn't see a change.

Here's a screenshot of one page that I downloaded, 1) opening the file in "Show File", and 2) the file opened through Zotero: https://imgur.com/a/9nVrgqI

dstillman · September 12, 2022

Did you restart Zotero?

jontangUC · September 12, 2022

Yes I restarted Zotero, and restarted it after making the changes martynas_b recommended as well.

martynas_b · September 13, 2022

@jontangUC Please send this PDF file to support@zotero.org with a link to this thread.

adamsmith · September 13, 2022

@martynas_b the link in the first post is open access. FWIW, I'm seeing the same issue in pdf.js directly in Firefox.

martynas_b · September 13, 2022

the link in the first post is open access

Doesn't work for me.

FWIW, I'm seeing the same issue in pdf.js directly in Firefox

All right, then not much we can do aside from reporting to PDF.js.

jontangUC · September 13, 2022

@martynas_b I've sent the PDF file to the support email. I believe open access to the book may be locked depending on country.

dstillman · September 13, 2022

(The file is too big to send via email, but I'm able to access it, so don't worry about it.)