PDF thumbnails, preview and MDBU not working

[Stef123]

So you neither have PDF thumbnails?

Correct. After installing the latest free XChange Viewer and making it the default - hoping this would get me MDBU.

Probably toxic fall out from an earlier Adobe installation.

Could well be. Or residues of an earlier bought version of XChange Viewer/Editor/Pro, whatever it was called at the time.

[admin]

I guess you've seen this already:
http://www.xyplorer.com/faq-topic.php?id=PDFthumbs

[kodyman]

Probably toxic fall out from an earlier Adobe installation.

Hard to say. Uninstalled Adobe Reader the day I got the computer 2 years ago. Only run with PDF-XChange.

Don, using SearchFilterView I found this: (it was all one line, I broke it into individual)
Is this the same iFilter you or others with PDF-XChange have?

XCShInfo.dll
PDF-XChange PDF IFilter Handler
PDF-XChange Shell Extention 2.5.0308.0001
2.5
Tracker Software Products (Canada) Ltd.
C:\Program Files\Tracker Software\Shell Extensions\XCShInfo.dll
{DDA60C00-9937-453d-99E4-15967383ACE8}
{1AC7939A-F487-4C8D-97AA-062FCA5DFA3C}
6/13/2014 5:18:20 PM

[admin]

IFilter is not responsible for thumbnails. Just for content search.

[Stef123]

I guess you've seen this already:
http://www.xyplorer.com/faq-topic.php?id=PDFthumbs

Yes, seen it. And also the link kodyman pointed to (thanks, anyway).
Been spending too much time on this whole preview issue. The BDMU feature raised my hopes again, but by now I've pretty much given up on it.

IMO, XY relies too much on system dependencies and configurations. This thwarts the portable features - these are superb, the best in any file manager I've come to know, all that POM and PFA stuff makes XY totally independent.

When it comes to preview and archive handling, however, you're at the mercy of the host system. Brutally depending on whatever is installed or not installed.

[admin]

You won't find a file manager with a native PDF preview...

[kodyman]

IFilter is not responsible for thumbnails. Just for content search.

And even though I read it earlier in a different topic it didn't click in my brain.
According to the Tracker forum, there is an Editor update coming in the not too distant future. Maybe something in the update will help. I hope.
I'll keep an eye here too.

[bdeshi]

When it comes to preview and archive handling, however, you're at the mercy of the host system. Brutally depending on whatever is installed or not installed

You know, it may be theoretically possible to portablize XY along with necessary shell-exts, though not all of the exts will work. Think ThinApp, PortableApps platform, jauntePE etc.
Edit: this tends to violate most of the apps' licence terms.

[klownboy]

According to the Tracker forum, there is an Editor update coming in the not too distant future. Maybe something in the update will help. I hope.

If that doesn't pan out, have you thought about reverting back to an older free revision of PDF-XChange Viewer, at least trying it. Though maybe you already have. I'm still using v2.5.214 (Dec 2013) of the Viewer and everything works for me, thumbs, MDBU, Info Panel Preview, Floating and Full Screen Preview. I'd consider upgrading to the Editor (i.e., purchasing), but I'm reluctant to upgrade after hearing all this.

[Stef123]

Thank you everybody,
don't know about licensing and about the version perils of XChange Viewer. I am not good at stuff under the hood, but I do know that other managers work nicely when it comes to previewing.

You won't find a file manager with a native PDF preview...

I am not strict on the native thing. Any kind of solution is welcome, external or not, plugin or not - as long as it works consistently without having to worry or tweak settings on every other machine.

Not ruling out commercial buyware, either, lister plugins like with TotalCommander, ANYthing that makes previewing a smooth and worry-free experience WITHIN XY. QuickViewPlus is not portable, other Universal Viewers don't integrate into XY.

XY has become my favorite on private machines, every weekend I get all revved up and excited, tweaking my CTBs, imagining all the great stuff I could with it at work.

Then at work, the imagined benefit doesn't materialize, I am slower than in the old days. The info panel preview asking me whether I want to save, the myriad of other applications popping up whenever I enter a rar file or a want to peek at a PDF... I stick with it anyway, for a day of two, but by Tuesday I am usually back to my old workflow. Not because I like it, but because it is more efficient.

Weekend comes around, and here I go again, investing tons of time. XY got all the bells and whistles imaginable, but it lacks the bread & butter stuff, which means to me:

• paperfolders - no longer an issue, XY outshines the competition
• archive support - not existing, nothing implemented in the vein of Custom Copy Handlers
• preview of common office files - supported in theory, but just cannot confirm it from my everyday experience, it's clunky and a lottery game

[kodyman]

According to the Tracker forum, there is an Editor update coming in the not too distant future. Maybe something in the update will help. I hope.

If that doesn't pan out, have you thought about reverting back to an older free revision of PDF-XChange Viewer, at least trying it. Though maybe you already have. I'm still using v2.5.214 (Dec 2013) of the Viewer and everything works for me, thumbs, MDBU, Info Panel Preview, Floating and Full Screen Preview. I'd consider upgrading to the Editor (i.e., purchasing), but I'm reluctant to upgrade after hearing all this.

I've thought about re-trying Viewer only. But it would be a downgrade from the Editor. I've been a long time license owner of PDF-XChange. And use some of the tools in Editor not available with Viewer.
I'll see what happens with the next Editor update.
I can at least use MDBU for photos, text and some other files.

[aurumdigitus]

Have also had a long time love-hate relationship with Tracker software vis-a-vis XY. Several versions of the file manager ago PDF's worked everywhere they were supposed to. Then after an integer upgrade they stopped in all cases BUT the Preview in Info Panel. Then after installed the Editor they quit there also.

Do wish there was a magic talisman that would correct this for all users.

[admin]

Have also had a long time love-hate relationship with Tracker software vis-a-vis XY. Several versions of the file manager ago PDF's worked everywhere they were supposed to. Then after an integer upgrade they stopped in all cases BUT the Preview in Info Panel. Then after installed the Editor they quit there also.

Do wish there was a magic talisman that would correct this for all users.

Well, nice try, but the magic talisman is needed on your end. PDF never stopped working in general but for you. Note the difference.

[aurumdigitus]

PDF never stopped working in general but for you.

ME and the others complaining in this thread. Have tried all the suggestions listed (short of editing the registry). Do you have any inspiration ideas on this problem?

As a large scale user of PDF's lacking them in XY is a significant issue

[admin]

http://www.xyplorer.com/faq-topic.php?id=PDFthumbs