Copied text in AI, issues when trying it pasted elsewhere...

Question

Using AI CS6, this has happened just too many times, lately:
I create a new file, a business card, I copy the person's last name, I save the file, wanting to use that last name as the file's name — it won't paste, the insertion point keeps blinking, nothing is pasted...
I try to paste that name into a Mail message — it pastes a PDF FILE named "PastedGraphic" that, when opened, shows that last name, using the font it was copies from originally.
When I try pasting it to an InDesign document — it pastes OK (using my default font).
What's happening???
Thanks!

Answer 1

Amikoe,
If the advice from imagecollection fails to help, you may try the list.
The following is a general list of things you may try when the issue is not in a specific file, and when it is not caused by issues with opening a file from external media, see below. You may have tried/done some of them already; 1) and 2) are the easy ones for temporary strangenesses, and 3) and 4) are specifically aimed at possibly corrupt preferences); 5) is a list in itself, and 6) is the last resort.
If possible/applicable, you should save current artwork first, of course.
1) Close down Illy and open again;
2) Restart the computer (you may do that up to at least 5 times);
3) Close down Illy and press Ctrl+Alt+Shift/Cmd+Option+Shift during startup (easy but irreversible);
4) Move the folder (follow the link with that name) with Illy closed (more tedious but also more thorough and reversible), for CS3 - CC you may find the folder here:
https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/kb/preference-file-location-illustrator.html
5) Look through and try out the relevant among the Other options (follow the link with that name, Item 7) is a list of usual suspects among other applications that may disturb and confuse Illy, Item 15) applies to CC, CS6, and maybe CS5);
Even more seriously, you may:
6) Uninstall (ticking the box to delete the preferences), run the Cleaner Tool (if you have CS3/CS4/CS5/CS6/CC), and reinstall.
http://www.adobe.com/support/contact/cscleanertool.html