Why won't Adobe Flash Player work?

[KittenSize]

Okay, so bearing in mind that I am a beginner, a girl and also that my PC has Windows Vista in French, I have another issue:

 

I want to install Flash Player so I go to adobe.com and I click install. The information bar at the top says Ooh, do you really want to, it could be risky, blah, blah, so I press YES.

 

A box appears and asks me for authorisation. Then another box appears and says Install, which I click upon. Then a Download Manager box opens and the little green bar fills up and it says 100% and then Close Download Manager. I close it.

 

Then nothing happens. The box that you are supposed to see something happening in to show the Install was successful is empty. I try closing the PC and starting it up again. Nothing.

 

What should I do? Sorry if I have posted this in the wrong place, wasn't sure whether to put it in this section or in Software but as it may be a problem associated with Vista I took a chance.

 

I don't get it! Why won't it work? Please enlighten me.

[RandyL]

Hi Kitten.

 

I can tell you what I do when flashplayer won't install right.

 

Download the uninstaller.

 

Download Flash Player 10 (157 MB) (zip folder)

 

Right click the zip folder and extract all.

 

Close all browser windows, messengers etc.

 

Run the uninstaller.

 

Reboot the computer.

 

Make sure all windows, messengers etc. are closed.

 

Open the Flash Player folder and open the folder inside that has the biggest number. That will be the newest version of Flash.

 

Find the setup or application file and double click it.

 

Reboot the computer.

[RandyL]

Edit.

Since you have Vista try uninstalling from Programs and Features in the Control Panel first.

 

Reboot and try installing again.

[KittenSize]

Still not doing it!

 

Hello Randy

 

First of all, thank you for the step by step hand-holding instructions because without those I would be completely lost.

 

I have done all you say. I was a bit confused because there was Flash Player Plugin Installer and also Flash Player ActiveX Installer so I installed both. Was that wrong?

 

Then after they had both been installed (which took seconds) I did a restart and not a shut down, was that wrong?

 

Now I have just been to BBC Radio 4 to try to listen to a programme but it says 'TO LISTEN TO THIS PROGRAMME PLEASE INSTALL FLASH'. Noooooooooooooooooo!

 

So I am in now entering into a stage of denial and think maybe the BBC are having problems (yes, that must be it!) and it's not my PC so I go to YouTube and it says this:

 

Hello, either you have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player. Get the latest Flash player. Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

 

What is Java and do I need it for Flash Player? I know you probably feel like doing this by now...

 

Sorry Randy.

[RandyL]

OK look in Programs and features to see if Java is installed.

 

Can you view youtube videos?

 

If not look at this post. http://extremetechsupport.com/forum/security-questions-av-firewalls-etc/6001-flash-player-problem.html#post43026

[KittenSize]

Java, the brother of Jabba

 

I've opened my Panneau de Configuration (Control Panel - I am so over learning this French language thing) and have gone to Deinstall a Program just to see what's on the list. The Flash Player Plugin AND ActiveX are there and scrolling down I also see two Java things:

 

Java 6 Update 17

 

Java SE Runtime Environment 6 Update 1

 

I haven't touched them, I'm just telling you this for information purposes!

 

Whenever I try to access anything that requires Flash via Windows Internet Explorer it says I need to install Flash....even though I've already got it. So I can't see things on YouTube, no.

 

However, I have Firefox on my desktop. When I go to YouTube or BBC Radio 4 using this IT WORKS! I can see and hear.

 

Is this a problem then with Internet Explorer? C'est trés compliqué.

[RandyL]

Yes it might be IE. Especially if some of the settings were changed as explained in the link above. JavaScript / Flash Player error : Common Error Messages - YouTube Help

1. Select Tools > Internet Options.
   
2. Click on the Security tab.
   
3. Click the Custom Level button.
   
4. Scroll down to the Scripting section.
   
5. Select Enable for Active Scripting and Scripting of Java Applets.
   
6. Click OK.
   
7. Select YES if a box appears to confirm.
   
8. Click OK. Close window.
   
9. Reload page
   

Try a reset as explained here. How to Reset or Restore Advanced Settings in Internet Explorer 7

 

I'm assuming you downloaded and reinstalled flash with the stand alone installer I linked you to.

 

There is an update for Java but that is not part of the current problem. But you might as well go ahead and update it now. Yes you need Java and Flash for youtube.

[Goku]

Hello Kitten. Internet Explorer has some strange ways to screw itself. Please try the solution listed here and see if it works or not. :)

 

-- Goku

[RandyL]

Goku knows his way around Flash Player issues. A great link Goku. It's too bad Adobe doesn't make it easier to find these links. It's always difficult.

 

The link sums up a lot of the issues all in one place. You do have to be precise in following the instructions of course.

 

Thanks Goku.

[Goku]

No problems Randy. I think that using different Google search engines helps me find those links easier. :)

 

-- Goku