error message when Acrobat Reader first opened up PaperMetaData.api
could not initiate but Acrobat seemed to work fine. Had some trouble
getting pdf files from internet (no problem with files on C drive) and
had to uninstall and reinstall Reader

I am assuming this is on Windows OS.  

Try this...(Don't forget to backup your system and whatever you delete).

1. Clear Cache: Go to C:\windows\cache and delete any Adobe related folders/files. 
2. Uninstall all the Adobe Reader applications. You might still have a
previous version sitting there!
3. If you have upgraded the reader to 6.02 version, then you will have
to unistall the upgrade too.  Use the Add or Delete programs from
Control panel to do this.
4. Go to Internet Explorer> Tools> Internet options > Programs> and
click on Reset Web Settings. You could either retain the 'Also set my
home page' check box or clear it.
5. Restart.
6. Install the reader. 
7. Now check if you can open pdf files through the browser. 
.....all the best :-)