when every i click a link online to try and get the pdf file a acrobat plug in pop up pops up and says "could not load acrobat". i dont get it, i have acrobat reader. what should i do?

Try installing the latest version:

http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

Make sure you uncheck the options they try to add such as Adobe Photoshop Album and Google Toolbar.