Expert: Amy - 1/6/2009

Question
i can save eps pdf and all other file types. but when i try to save an .ai file i get an unknown error. what should i do???

Answer
Hi Chris,

If you are working on a Windows machine, kill acrotray.exe using the task manager and try again. Can you save as AI now?

Otherwise, save as EPS, then reboot and try to save as AI now. There is also some talk that this error is caused by Windows Media Center (on Vista), which would be killed upon your reboot.

And of course, I recommend deleting the AIprefs file first - instructions: http://www.adobeforums.com/webx/.eed5198.2cd0b46e
I hope that fixes it.

It can also be caused by missing fonts from the required fonts folder, embedded PSD files and other things, too numerous to go into detail on each one. So for further troubleshooting, go to the Adobe forums' Illustrator page and search for a post entitled "Can't save in Illustrator CS2" by David Neal. Just skim it for possible solutions. It has 191 entries and mentions several different possible answers. Yes, it is CS2 but some issues are valid in CS3 as well.

Adobe also recognizes the problem and has some support docs out there, which are referenced in that post.

Good luck
Amy