eBook Collection - Using Protected PDF Files

The eBook Collection uses Digital Rights Management (DRM) to protect downloaded PDF files (http://www.phoenix.edu/ebooks/drm.asp). The DRM-enabled files use the Protected PDF technology. To open Protected PDF files, follow these three steps:

  1. Check your version of Adobe® Reader®
  2. Download an eBook file
  3. Open the file with your eCampus user name and password

Steps Screens

1. Check your version of Adobe® Reader®

Tips:

  • Click "Help" from the Adobe® Reader® menu bar and then "About" to find out what version is installed.
  • The version of Adobe® Reader® must be 6.0.1 or greater.
  • As of March 2007, the latest version is 8.0 for Windows XP (English).

2. Download an eBook file

Tips:

  • From the eBook Collection page, click "Download eBook". Select the desired chapter by clicking the hyperlink.
  • Chapters marked with the padlock icon indicate that the file uses the Protected PDF DRM. If there is no padlock, there is nothing to do. The file is a normal PDF document.
  • Most courses unlock the required chapters. Non-required chapters and the Entire_eBook file will remain locked. There are exceptions and sometimes required chapters will be locked.

3. Open the file with your eCampus user name and password

Tips:

  • Enter the same user name and password that you use at the http://ecampus.phoenix.edu site. Click "Unlock" to unlock the file.
  • When you open the file, the first page will have the login box seen at the left. Every other page will have a Protected PDF logo with a message saying that the page is protected. When you login, all pages will then be visible.
  • When you first open the file, a prompt will ask "Would you like to automatically be signed into this document next time?". If you click "yes", you will not have to log in again.


Additional Tips for Reading eBooks

  • To read files that have already been downloaded, simply open the files from your PC.
  • When you first download the file from the eBook Collection, you will be prompted to save or open the file. You can do either, but if you have a file structure on your computer, make sure you save it to a known location (for example, \My Documents\MBA\MBA500\Chapter1_readings.pdf).
  • You can send the same file to any other computer (work, home, laptop). You can move it any way you want (email, USB drive). The first time you open the file on a new computer, you will be asked to unlock again. You must be connected to the Internet to complete the unlock process.

Common Error - No Response After Clicking "Unlock"
One of the more common errors received is that after entering a user name and password and clicking "Unlock", there is no response.

The possible causes for this issue include:

  • The Protected PDF authentication website is not set as a trusted site in Adobe Reader
  • JavaScript is disabled in Adobe Reader

Add the Protected PDF Authentication Website as a Trusted Site

  1. Open Adobe Reader
  2. Click Edit. If you are using an Apple Macintosh, click the Adobe Reader drop-down menu. The rest of the steps are the same.
  3. Select Preferences
  4. Select Trust Manager
  5. Click Change Site Settings
  6. Click ppdf.phoenix.edu
  7. Click Remove
  8. Enter ppdf.phoenix.edu in the text field under Trust List
  9. Click Allow
  10. Click OK
  11. Click OK
  12. Close Adobe Reader
  13. Attempt to open the Protected PDF eBook again

Enable JavaScript in Adobe Reader

  1. Open Adobe Reader
  2. Click Edit. If you are using an Apple Macintosh, click the Adobe Reader drop-down menu. The rest of the steps are the same.
  3. Select Preferences
  4. Select JavaScript
  5. Check the box next to Enable Acrobat JavaScript
  6. Click OK
  7. Close Adobe Reader
  8. Attempt to open the Protected PDF eBook again