flashplayer problem [I think]

[mercia]

suddenly, without rhyme or reason I can't get the BBCiPlayer to work
a message says You need to install Flash to play X
Download the flash player now
but the flash player is downloaded already
thinking there might be a new version I uninstalled the one I had and clicked on the BBC link to install a new(?) version - (actually I think it's the same version) - but to no effect. I'm sure I haven't changed any settings anywhere - everything that should be enabled is enabled as far as I can see.

[are there alternatives to Adobe Flashplayer, or is that the accepted/best/default tool for the job ?]

probably linked to this problem I am now getting no sound on youtube and the youtube volume control has disappeared, though the videos otherwise play fine - picture only.

[and possibly linked to these problems my BT Broadband Desktop Help has stopped working with the message that it needs to be installed. Again I have uninstalled then reinstalled to no avail - same message.]

any ideas/suggestions would be very gratefully received

I expect that if I tell you I have Windows Vista you'll say that's the root of the problem
but it was all working fine previously

[johnb]

Have you installed any software or changed anything on your PC?

If you can't see an obvious solution perhaps the best option would be to use the System Restore to restore your computer back to a date when it was working fine.

Last week my Radio 3 iPlayer stopped working on Firefox though it was fine with Internet Explorer. The only thing I could think of was that I had installed Google Earth but I can't see how that should have affected it. Anyway, the system restore sorted the problem.

By the way, on the very rare occasion that I use System Restore I am always a little nervous and always do a backup of my PC beforehand, in case the process goes belly up (which it never has).

(In Windows 7 you are initially presented with a single recommended date, which is almost never the date you want. However there is an option to display additional available dates.)

[DracoM]

Recent big Microsoft updates input - might that have affected anything?

[Don Petter]

I agree with johnb about considering a System Restore.

For a long time I have created a System Restore point every time I start the PC, which means there's always a recent selection to choose from. There is a default storage area size for all these points, after which the old ones disappear, but in practice I find there is enough room for the last three months, even at one or two a day.

All you need to do is add a short cut to SysRestorePoint.exe in your Startup subdirectory.

[mercia]

thanks for your reply

Have you installed any software or changed anything on your PC?

last week I installed some anti-virus software which I guess I could uninstall and re-install - I need it and it's paid for so I don't want to get rid of it entirely and I've used the iPlayer and youtube since installing it, without problem - until now.

I guess system restore might be the best idea - I haven't got anything important to lose

[mercia]

Recent big Microsoft updates input - might that have affected anything?

could have, it installed loads of security updates last week and an Adobe Reader update on Friday

[Dave2002]

could have, it installed loads of security updates last week and an Adobe Reader update on Friday

I'm so glad I don't mess around with Windows much any more. I used to have this kind of problem far too frequently.

I'd go for a System Restore first, as suggested back a while to a point where you are pretty sure it was working. Then, when it comes back, run every virus/malware/security check you can to make sure that there's nothing causing a problem. Very possibly also a good idea to defragment the disc drive at the same time.

Once that's done, hopefully it'll work again and you can reinstall the software you recently bought. I have had problems with Windows updates, do I wouldn't rule them out.

Good luck!

[mercia]

well, after 5 hours it seems to be back to normal - I don't think system restore did it, to be honest
I changed one disable to enable in the internet options security custom settings, though I can't be sure that was it

very annoying not to know exactly the problem for when it next happens

many thanks for suggestions


EDIT - a bizarre update to my "problems" - BBCiPlayer and youtube work perfectly, however if I look at my list of installed programs flashplayer isn't listed AT ALL !

[doversoul1]

Not a sound or signal coming through Listen Again this morning. No messages of any kind showing up either. Listen Live seems to be working so I hope it’s not my side of the problem. Anybody else having the same problem?

[mercia]

Anybody else having the same problem?

well it is certainly, at the moment, as you describe for me. listen again not working. listen live working.
but given my previous experiences I can never be sure whether it's a problem at my end or theirs.

[doversoul1]

Thanks mercia. So it must be their problem, which makes me feel less panicky (or am I being too simple?). I suppose we’ll just have to wait…

[mercia]

I suppose we’ll just have to wait…

looks like it's ok now

[french frank]

Not a sound or signal coming through Listen Again this morning. No messages of any kind showing up either.

I had a message this morning, using this page: it said, This content doesn't seem to be working.