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Flash Player Plugin disappearing from FireFox 11.0 - 4 times a day

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Hi,

I need to state first that I am using w2000 SP5. This is a clean install, with no male ware. I understand that the OS is not supported. But, my other computer has a defective motherboard and unable to replace it now.

I am using the last version of Firefox that was available for w2000, ( ver 11.0 )

I have modified Firefox NOT to UPDATE plugins. (Because new plugins don't; work in W2000.Firefox 11.0)

I have installed the last version of Flash that works in W2000 also. ( fp_10.1.102.64_and_9.0.289.0_archive )

All works as normal. No crashes. No issues.

Except, that the install magically disappears as a plugin from Firefox.

It disappears 3 or 4 times a day. Usually after I open Firefox a few hours later.

But, it is still in installed Programs list on computer.

I have been re-installing it every time, which is VERY annoying.

I have disabled Flash from automatic updates also.

There must be something that is checking to install a new version, and deleting my current install.

But, I can't find it.

I have tried many versions of flash, and all do the same thing.

So, I believe the problem is in Firefox.

I am posting my problem at Adobe also.

Please help me. TIA

Hi, I need to state first that I am using w2000 SP5. This is a clean install, with no male ware. I understand that the OS is not supported. But, my other computer has a defective motherboard and unable to replace it now. I am using the last version of Firefox that was available for w2000, ( ver 11.0 ) I have modified Firefox NOT to UPDATE plugins. (Because new plugins don't; work in W2000.Firefox 11.0) I have installed the last version of Flash that works in W2000 also. ( fp_10.1.102.64_and_9.0.289.0_archive ) All works as normal. No crashes. No issues. Except, that the install magically disappears as a plugin from Firefox. It disappears 3 or 4 times a day. Usually after I open Firefox a few hours later. But, it is still in installed Programs list on computer. I have been re-installing it every time, which is VERY annoying. I have disabled Flash from automatic updates also. There must be something that is checking to install a new version, and deleting my current install. But, I can't find it. I have tried many versions of flash, and all do the same thing. So, I believe the problem is in Firefox. I am posting my problem at Adobe also. Please help me. TIA

Modified by DigitalDave_

Chosen solution

Firefox should find the Flash plugin via that registry key.

Try to create a plugins folder in the current Firefox profile folder and copy the NPSWF32.DLL file and the flashplayer.xpt file to that plugin folder.

You can use this button to go to the Firefox profile folder:

  • Help > Troubleshooting Information > Profile Directory: Open Containing Folder

Did you try to disable blocklisting and remove the existing blocklist.xml files in the Firefox application folder and the current Firefox profile folder?

Read this answer in context 👍 1

All Replies (20)

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The problem is that those old Flash plugins have been blocklisted https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/blocked/p94

You may be able to get around it by turning off the blocklist update: Turn off extension blocklist updating

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Thanks for your reply.

I have already set blocklist to FALSE.

Problem still exisits

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Be aware that Flash 10.1.82 is really old and that the latest 10.1 version is 10.1.102.64.

See (Released 11/04/2010) Flash Player 10.1.102.64 and 9.0.289.0 (126 MB)

Flash Player 10.1 Release Notes:

Do you have any hotfix extensions installed?

How did you disable the blocklist?

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Adobe may have resolved my problem ... .... I will post back tomorrow if all is Ok today.

Read more here ...

http://forums.adobe.com/message/4549612#4549612

Yes, I know I am not using the last available flash for w2000. I was testing to see if all flash releases disappear. ( and they do )

I will re-install the the 10.1.102.64 release later... It's nice to have it working OK .. I don't want to mess with it.

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Edit - problem still exists

Modified by DigitalDave_

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It just disappeared again.

Firefox no longer has Flash as a Plugin ( in the list ) However, the contents of the C:\WINNT\system32\Macromed\Flash Folder - Ok.

Contents are still present.

It's been almost 3 days since this happened thou. Not 4 times a day as before.

This is very strange.

Not caused by a re-boot. I just closed FF to play a game. Then, re-Opened the browser. Flash gone ....

Modified by DigitalDave_

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Do you still have the registry keys that Firefox uses to scan for the Flash plugin?

You can also create a plugins folder in the Firefox Profile Folder and copy the Flash plugin to that folder.

You can use this button to go to the Firefox profile folder:

  • Help > Troubleshooting Information > Profile Directory: Open Containing Folder
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Flash still working this morning from last nights re-install ...

I have created a public photo album for help finding the problem. Current content reveals Mozilla has no registry entry in Software as described in the reference link ( per Mr cor-el ) And, listed contents in the system32 directory

http://picasaweb.google.com/112000388773612428971/FlashProblem

Let me know what else you want to see ... I will upload

[Edit] Added screenshots of 'Troubleshooting Information' [Edit] Added screenshot of Disabled Blocklist

Modified by DigitalDave_

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It just "disappeared" again in the middle of browsing.

No warnings, no messages, just gone.


1 System32 still has files.


2 Tools: Add-ons: Plugins: -- Missing.


3 Help : Troubleshooter - Enabled Plugins: Not Listed.

Is there a way to "Hard Code" the "swf" extension to the System32 folder?

I'm waiting this time for someone to help BEFORE I GO INSANE.

Modified by DigitalDave_

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What version of Firefox does not force check plugins?

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THIS IS NOT A FIREFOX PROBLEM


I installed Opera yesterday, thinking that it was Firefox that was rejecting the flash plugin.

Well, just a few minutes ago, the Opera flash plugin disappeared also.

So, I opened Firefox, and it was gone there too !.


LETS SEE IF WE CAN FIX THIS !


All the contents of the sytem32 folder still intact.

Flash still listed in Windows installed programs.

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Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MozillaPlugins\@adobe.com/FlashPlayer]

"Path"="C:\\WINNT\\system32\\Macromed\\Flash\\NPSWF32.dll"

"ProductName"="Adobe Flash Player 10.1 Plugin"

"Vendor"="Adobe Systems Incorporated"

"Description"="Adobe® Flash® Player 10.1 Plugin"

"Version"="10.1.102.64"

"XPTPath"="C:\\WINNT\\system32\\Macromed\\Flash\\flashplayer.xpt"

_______________________________________________________________

THIS IS THE REGISTRY ITEM THAT IS MAKING THE PLUGIN "DISAPPEAR".

THIS ENTRY IS BEING DELETED FROM MY REGISTRY . No re-install necessary, just re-apply this registry item.

Now, WHAT IS DELETING THIS ENTRY FROM MY REGISTRY?

How do I track this down?

Is it possible to "protect" this registry item from being deleted?

Modified by DigitalDave_

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Chosen Solution

Firefox should find the Flash plugin via that registry key.

Try to create a plugins folder in the current Firefox profile folder and copy the NPSWF32.DLL file and the flashplayer.xpt file to that plugin folder.

You can use this button to go to the Firefox profile folder:

  • Help > Troubleshooting Information > Profile Directory: Open Containing Folder

Did you try to disable blocklisting and remove the existing blocklist.xml files in the Firefox application folder and the current Firefox profile folder?

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Yes, extensions.blocklist.enabled is false

However I did not "clear" the url entry <--Maybe this is my problem?

I don't see the point of modifying the registry key, because it is being deleted. That is why I posted here.

However, I did create a new folder and modified the registry items to look to this folder.

Modified by DigitalDave_

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If the registry key disappears then Firefox won't be able to find the plugin in the Windows\system32\Macromed\Flash\ folder.

Did you try to create a plugins folder and copy the files to that folder?

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Yes, I created a folder called "\plugins\flash\" within "profile container" directory, and COPIED the 2 files you mentioned.

So, How do I tell Firefox to use this folder without using that registry key?

( without moving all my other plugins there also )

Modified by DigitalDave_

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Try to place the files directly in the plugins folder and not in a sub folder if Firefox still doesn't see them.

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The OP is on Windows 2000, so can't install current Flash versions (latest for Win2K is 10.1.102.64).

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Same problem recently on 2 machines(both XP sp3), but not on one with Win7. Disappearing not only Flash - all Plugins from registry(java, silverlight, etс...)

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Please follow the suggestions about ...

1. disabling plugin update function

2. disabling BlockList functions.

So far, my problem is gone.

Edited the URL entry to "null" ( nothing )

Copied the flash system files to a new folder called "plugins" in the "Profile Container"

Something not mentioned, but what I did ... was ...

Removed data contents of the " blocklist.xml " file. ( Leaving the header and footer code ) Then I set the file attributes to " read only ". ( this protects the file from being updated )

My registry item is gone again, but flash still functions.

Modified by DigitalDave_

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