BSOD 0x7E when opening multiple PDF documents

Discussion:  Customer reported that as soon as they opened a second PDF file using Adobe Reader 9.x, the system would crash with blue screen 0x7E SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED.

The analysis of the minidump files indicated the fault occurred in an interaction between adobe reader and the video card drivers.

After updating video drivers, updating adobe from 9.0 to 9.3, and disabling their antivirus program, it appeared to be working, however we tested the other user and it still had the issue.

RESOLUTION:

http://getsatisfaction.com/adobe/topics/acrobat_9_pro_will_crash_if_i_open_a_second_pdf_file

To resolve graphics problems with Acrobat 9, try the following:

- Open Acrobat
- Go to Edit --> Preferences
- Select Page Display from the Categories list
- Uncheck the "Use 2D graphics acceleration" box
- Click OK
- Close Acrobat

After making this change, the system can open up as many pdf files as the user wants without the blue screen occurring.

Further research indicates that if this check box is active, the system draws all PDF files other than the first one as a 2D object rather than 3D in order to save resources, and the video drivers for a lot of newer video cards do not handle this very well.