Unable to initialize PDF Converter

SUGGESTED

Client is upgrading (from v2021 Advanced) to v2023 Advanced (32-Bit version); on a new server.  Server is Windows Server 2022 Datacenter.  We can preview and print to PDF, or save as PDF then open the PDF File in Adobe Acrobat without issue.  However, the experience when trying to use Paperless Office for printing reports to paperless, or journals/registers, or forms is very different.  The user gets the message:  Unable to Initialize PDF Converter, with an OK button, no further information.  We checked Event Server Logs and see no issues.

In Sage 100, we go to File/Run and execute PL_AdvancedOptions_ui successfully; nothing out of the norm in the error log.  We have tried with Check on for Automatic Install Converter and with Check Off; no difference.  When we "uninstall" the PDF Converter, it removes the printer.  When we "Install" it Installs the printer; first it says "uninstalling printer" (Printer is removed from Devices and Printer) then it installs it (we then see the printer added back in Devices and Printers).  We see "Sage 100 Paperless Office Driver Version 650" as the printer.  There are no redirected printers.  When we "test" the paperless, the behavior is:  Message reads "copying files"; we see the printer completely disappear in Devices and Printer; then it reappears again.  At the Sage 100 message about the watermark, it does say that Sage 100 Paperless Office Driver Version 650 is installed properly on this workstation.  We press OK and get the error. Big white X in a red circle, and message "Unable to initialize PDF Converter".  We are administrators of the Server, we are right clicking on Sage 100 to log in prior to re-installing the PDF Converter.  

This is at the new Application Server.  Same at the new RDP Server.  Same at a brand new workstation with no printer group policies.  I've tried everything I can see in the Sage Knowledgebase, nothing is moving me forward with this problem.  

Any ideas?  

  • 0

    It looks as if you've checked all the usual suspects. I looked in my notes and I see one instance where I received this error and my note was that the end-user had a Sage PDF driver both on their local workstation and on an RDP session that they were connecting to.

    I can't tell if this is happening everywhere -- ie, if you login to the server, a "traditional" workstation, an RDP session? 

    Another odditie that I've seen is a customer underwent an IT security audit and as a result were told to go through and change a bunch of permissions which included changing printer permissions that in turn created all sorts of odd errors including some similar to this.

    This is an area of Sage 100 troubleshooting that's really ripe for a single document to troubleshoot rather than have to search all over and find multiple KB articles.

  • 0
    SUGGESTED

    Check the Paperless paths to ensure you have Full Control.

    Try temporarily disabling your protection software.  I've had some serious problems with Threatlocker, and know improperly tuned AV software can cause problems too.

    Last resort: UAC off (using the EnableLUA registry hack), reboot, and reinstall the workstation / Paperless driver.

  • 0

    Did you ever resolve this? Facing the same issue after updating to Sage 100 2023.4