Keep getting "Could not find the Macromedia Flash" error message

frustated!!!

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May 31, 2007, 8:49:09 AM5/31/07

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:disgust;

I installed (and have uninstalled and reinstalled several times) flash player
and started getting a "Could not find the Macromedia Flash" error message. My
IT department hasn't been able to help me and the Adobe folks were useless.
Does anyone know how to get rid of this error?

bcastillo

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May 31, 2007, 3:31:21 PM5/31/07

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I am having the exact same problem with the same IT response and the same frustration, I will be watching this topic for an answer

SonjaHelene

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Jun 2, 2007, 11:00:02 AM6/2/07

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Hi,
I kept getting the same message, and after lots of searching it seems that the
latest version of flash is not compatible with the screensaver I was using. I
swiched to a different one and the message stopped popping up. I'm on XP.
If you go in and test your screensaver, you will see if the message pops up,
try to change to a different one and it should be gone!
Good luck - this message was driving me crazy but now it's gone :o)

Longhorn101

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Jun 14, 2007, 4:52:04 PM6/14/07

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Thank you so much for this information. I've been going insane seeing that message pop up every quarter hour or so.

take on me

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Jun 15, 2007, 3:07:20 AM6/15/07

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I've had the same error message keep coming up too. "cannot find macromedia flash". Changed my screensaver and hey presto it's gone. Thanks for that it's been bugging me for some time. . .

DoctorXX

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Jun 21, 2007, 8:14:56 PM6/21/07

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I found the solution on another site. Go to C:\WINDOWS\system32\Macromed\Flash
and copy "Flash9.ocx" and then paste it back in the same directory. This will
create a "Copy of Flash9.ocx" which you should rename "Flash.ocx." (Thus you
will have "Flash.ocx" and "Flash9.ocx", both the same file with a different
name in the same directory.) My screensaver now works and I no longer get the
error message.

techdude88

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Jun 22, 2007, 11:07:07 AM6/22/07

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http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/webforums/forum/messageview.cfm?forumid=44&catid=18
4&threadid=1272384&enterthread=y :grin;

pcdoctor001

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Jul 5, 2007, 12:06:53 PM7/5/07

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:grin; It worked! Thank you so much for saving me search time. Able to get pc back to customer now!!!:smile;

jaybear1

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Oct 15, 2007, 7:06:10 AM10/15/07

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how did you fixed it mate

sunpist

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Nov 6, 2007, 12:47:31 AM11/6/07

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you people are GENIOUS! thank you soooo much! that flippin error message has
been boggling me for MONTHS! i have tried and tried everything. after reading
the first few posts i chose a new screensaver and everything went back to
normal. however, i decided i really wanted the screensaver that was causing
problems. so i did the whole copy and paste the flash.ocx file and everything
is superb! you have all made my night! thanks a million!

LR38877

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Jan 25, 2008, 3:10:31 PM1/25/08

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The copy and paste fix worked for me as well. Now I can keep using my System47 StarTrek Screen save. Cool.

Usmcdad

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Feb 9, 2008, 11:04:07 AM2/9/08

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Just a note to say I recently became plagued with this annoying error message.
Strange that I had been using the same HONDA screensaver for over a year, and
it just recently started popping up. I'm linking the Saver for all you Honda
automobile fans. It has the latest news on models, R&D, etc.

http://world.honda.com/screensaver

The solution worked. Thanks a LOT!

usmcdad

Andy089

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Feb 9, 2008, 9:59:10 PM2/9/08

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Is your OS Windows Vista?

Darren McNally - Adobe

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Feb 10, 2008, 3:57:23 PM2/10/08

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http://www.adobe.com/go/kb402694

DianeCunningham

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Feb 28, 2008, 1:59:52 PM2/28/08

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Hi techdude88, thank you so MUCH for posting this fix. I have the Starbucks Doubleshot Espresso screen saver and the rename fiexed it right up, thanks!!!

komaric

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Mar 5, 2008, 7:58:18 AM3/5/08

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to Darren McNally

thanks for url

willbridgesmith

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Mar 5, 2008, 7:31:38 PM3/5/08

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thanks mate! that error has been annoying a few people in the company, finnally have it fixed

Will

Zeker434

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Mar 16, 2008, 1:06:41 AM3/16/08

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I'm trying to implement the fix for this problem. However I don't have a
flash9.ocx file. I went to the folder in the instructions, and there isn't one
there. I also did a search of the entire C: drive, and did not find one.
Also, I did make hidden files viewable, so that wasn't the reason for not
finding it. In an attempt to fix the problem, earlier today I upgraded to the
current version of Flash. Would that be a factor in why I can't find it?
Thanks in advance for your help!

gent44

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May 16, 2008, 4:18:42 PM5/16/08

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Do you use vista as OS?

CHAOS'|nc.

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May 17, 2008, 3:39:28 AM5/17/08

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Looks like the original poster fixed it all up.

Andrew Dark

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Jun 6, 2008, 1:25:20 PM6/6/08

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Thank you soooooooooooooooooooooo much! Three days fighting this! You rock!

Darren McNally - Adobe

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Jun 6, 2008, 5:53:39 PM6/6/08

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Bizarre text anomaly in that last post ? here is the second solution reposted.
Thanks to all the folks who have already posted this work-around.

[b]Solution 2: Rename the Flashx.ocx file to Flash.ocx.[/b]

NOTE: This second solution is NOT a supported solution from Adobe, but
customers have used it to work around this issue.

Open the C:\Windows\System32\Macromed\Flash folder.
Right click on the Flashx.ocx file and select copy. (For example, the name for
Adobe Flash Player 9.0.47.0 is Flash9d.ocx.)
Right click in the same folder and select paste.
Rename the new Flashx.ocx file to Flash.ocx.
Now the screen saver will be able to find the Flash.ocx file and resolve the
error message.

Darren McNally - Adobe

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Jun 6, 2008, 5:47:04 PM6/6/08

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[b]Screen Savers that rely on older versions of Adobe Flash Player may not
work[/b]

[b]Issue[/b]
Screen savers that rely on older versions of Adobe Flash Player may not work

[b]Reason[/b]

If you have an older third-party screen saver that uses Adobe Flash Player you
may get a Flash.ocx error message.

Earlier versions of Adobe Flash Player were named Flash.ocx. Since Adobe Flash
Player 8, Adobe has change the naming convention to include the version in the
ocx name, for example Adobe Flash Player 9.0.45.0 is named Flash9c.ocx and
version 9.0.47.0 is named Flash9d.ocx.

Older screen savers are engineered to search for the file Flash.ocx. This is
the reason for the error message, since the screen saver is looking for a file
name that does not exist.

[b]Solution[/b]

Solution 1: Remove the screen saver.
Uninstall the screen saver. By removing the screen saver you will prevent it
from looking for a file that does not exist.

Solution 2: Rename the Flashx.ocx file to Flash.ocx.

NOTE: This second solution is NOT a supported solution from Adobe, but
customers have used it to work around this issue.

[NUM]

Open the C:\Windows\System32\Macromed\Flash folder.

Right click on the Flashx.ocx file and select copy. (For example, Adobe Flash

Player 9.0.47.0 is Flash9d.ocx.)
Right click in the same folder and select paste.
Rename the new Flashx.ocx file to Flash.ocx.
Now the screen saver will be able to find the Flash.ocx file and resolve the

error message.[/num]

raquii

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Jun 7, 2008, 4:55:25 PM6/7/08

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i don't see a "Flash9.ocx" om my directory.
i see "Flash9f.ocx"

here's the deal, since i did this upgrade i've been getting a load of error
messages. like, i was at chicagocubs.com today and all i got was this...

TypeError: Error #1010: A term is undefined and has no properties.
at com.gameday.display.gamearchive.list::ListByInning/get_row_list()
at com.gameday.display.gamearchive.list::ListByInning/draw()
at com.gameday.display.gamearchive::GameArchiveArea/draw_list()
at com.gameday.display.gamearchive::GameArchiveArea/update()
at com.gameday.display.gamearchive::InningNav/update()
at com.gameday.display::GamedayViewElement/handle_update_event()
at flash.events::EventDispatcher/dispatchEventFunction()
at flash.events::EventDispatcher/dispatchEvent()
at com.gameday.data::GameData/dispatch_event()
at com.gameday.data::GameData/update_live_game_data()
at com.gameday.data::GameData/playsfile_onload()
at MethodInfo-478()
at com.gameday.data::RedundantXml/handle_load()
at com.bamnet.utils.xml::XMLLoader/try_onLoad()
at com.bamnet.utils.xml::XMLLoader/completeHandler()
at flash.events::EventDispatcher/dispatchEventFunction()
at flash.events::EventDispatcher/dispatchEvent()
at flash.net::URLLoader/onComplete()

TypeError: Error #1009: Cannot access a property or method of a null object
reference.
at com.bamnet.utils::ToolTips$/handle_timeout_interval()
at flash.utils::Timer/_timerDispatch()
at flash.utils::Timer/tick()

TypeError: Error #1009: Cannot access a property or method of a null object
reference.
at com.gameday.data.models::PlayerData/get w()
at com.gameday.display.bvp::BvpModule/update()
at com.gameday.display.bvp::BvpModule/init()
at com.gameday.display.bvp::BvpArea/add_module()
at com.gameday.display.bvp::BvpArea/update()
at com.gameday.display::GamedayViewElement/handle_update_event()
at flash.events::EventDispatcher/dispatchEventFunction()
at flash.events::EventDispatcher/dispatchEvent()
at com.gameday.data::GameData/dispatch_event()
at com.gameday.data::GameData/update_live_game_data()
at com.gameday.data::GameData/playsfile_onload()
at MethodInfo-478()
at com.gameday.data::RedundantXml/handle_load()
at com.bamnet.utils.xml::XMLLoader/try_onLoad()
at com.bamnet.utils.xml::XMLLoader/completeHandler()
at flash.events::EventDispatcher/dispatchEventFunction()
at flash.events::EventDispatcher/dispatchEvent()
at flash.net::URLLoader/onComplete()

i would hit 'continue' over and over and then... everything would stop.
what do i do?

Darren McNally - Adobe

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Jun 7, 2008, 6:15:46 PM6/7/08

to

Hi Raquii,

I ?m guessing that you have the debug version of Flash Player installed, that
is why you see these error messages. These errors would need to be addressed by
the developer of the Flash application. (I just installed the debug version and
I do see the error message on this particular website, again the developer of
this website would need to fix this).

However, if you would like to avoid seeing these error message uninstall the
debug version of Flash Player and install the regular Flash Player.

First download the uninstaller to your desktop from here

http://www.adobe.com/go/tn_14157

Before running this uninstaller, read the instruction and close all running
programs.

Run the uninstaller

Install the Flash Player from here:

http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer

momatemple

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Jul 3, 2008, 12:53:39 AM7/3/08

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ty for the help with that error... now i have another... i have oberon media's
game of word riot deluxe for pogo... i know i have macromedia/adobe flash
installed... but it says i need a version 8 or better for it to work... i just
installed ver 9. any hints?

Darren McNally - Adobe

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Jul 3, 2008, 10:59:29 AM7/3/08

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[q][i]Originally posted by: [b][b]momatemple[/b][/b][/i]

[/q]

With Flash Player installed what files are in this folder:

Maddymylove

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Jul 10, 2008, 11:52:20 PM7/10/08

to

I am having the same problem, the files you requested are:
flash9b.ocx
flash9f.ocx
flashUtil9b.exe
flashutil9f.exe
install.log
uninstall_activeX.exe

Please help this is driving me nuts!

Darren McNally - Adobe

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Jul 11, 2008, 12:22:16 PM7/11/08

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[q][i]Originally posted by: [b][b]Maddymylove[/b][/b][/i]

Please help this is driving me nuts![/q]

Hi Maddymylove,

Flash9b.ocx is an older version of Flash Player. Run the
?uninstall_activeX.exe? and check to be sure that it removes this file. After
it is removed, re-install the latest version of Flash Player from

http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer

saucylicious

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Jul 27, 2008, 10:31:43 AM7/27/08

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Rename the Flashx.ocx file to Flash.ocx.

This solution is perfect...though it is not supported solution from Adobe, but
i myself have tried this and it works with the same issue of appearing "cannot
find macromedia flash player"

But no, do not completely change whatever flash (flashx.ocx, flash9d.ocx,
flash10.ocx) there may be in the macromed. Instead choose to copy it first to
desktop where you could manage to change the filename to plain flash.ocx, then
bring it back to the C:\Windows\System32\Macromed\Flash folder.

In doing this, you will now have 2 copies of flash-- the original, and the
revised. so whatever program that is needing both the old and new flash file,
no problem of appearing the "cannot find macromedia flash player"

Darren McNally - Adobe

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Jul 27, 2008, 2:19:05 PM7/27/08

to

Thanks! That?s correct and this is documented in this TechNote.

http://www.adobe.com/go/kb402694

Solution 2: Rename the Flashx.ocx file to Flash.ocx.

NOTE: This second solution is NOT a supported solution from Adobe, but
customers have used it to work around this issue.

1. Open the C:\Windows\System32\Macromed\Flash folder.
2. Right click on the Flashx.ocx file and select copy. (For example, the name
for Adobe Flash Player 9.0.47.0 is Flash9d.ocx.)
3. Right click in the same folder and select paste.
4. Rename the new Flashx.ocx file to Flash.ocx.
5. Now the screen saver will be able to find the Flash.ocx file and resolve
the error message.

3nuts

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Jul 27, 2008, 5:04:58 PM7/27/08

to

Thanks Darren,

You hit the nail right on the head!
I did exactly what Raquii did on one of my computers and continued to get
errors. My problem was I did'nt read the entire thread.

I followed your instuctions for:

"uninstall the debug version of Flash Player and install the regular Flash
Player."

That solved the problem with that computer.

Thanks again

skramk

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Aug 22, 2008, 5:25:56 PM8/22/08

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This has worked well for me.

skramk

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Aug 22, 2008, 5:23:19 PM8/22/08

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I have this problem every time there is an Adobe Flash update. Found this
correction and it's worked well for me.

Go to C:\Windows\system32\Macromed\Flash and copy "Flash9.ocx" and then paste
it back in the same directory. This will create "Copy of Flash9.ocx". Rename
"Copy of Flash9.ocx" to "Flash.ocx". Leave both "Flash.ocx" and Flash9.ocx in
the directory. Simple, quick, easy and best of all it works.

LuckyNumberSleven

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Sep 14, 2008, 8:20:49 PM9/14/08

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That worked for me, thanks.

sunwer

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Sep 16, 2008, 10:31:07 AM9/16/08

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i really like what you say about that.

DLMAES

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Sep 24, 2008, 11:54:52 PM9/24/08

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frustated!!! what browser and flash player was giving you this issue?

Zakofa1

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Sep 25, 2008, 12:39:12 AM9/25/08

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hanks mate! that error has been annoying a few people in the company, finnally have it fixedhttp://www.intronhk.com/flash.htmlhttp://www.tinboxmanufacturer.com/tin-box-containers.html

Lucyloutoo

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Sep 25, 2008, 9:35:35 AM9/25/08

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I do not have the Flashx.ocx file. I have uninstalled and reinstalled several
times, and the error continues to pop up. The only files I have in
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32|Macromed\Flash are flashplayer.xpt, install,
NPSWF32.dll, NPSWF32_FlashUtil, unistall_plugin.
What am I missing!! thanks in advance for your help, I was so excited to
finally get an answer and now I'm back to square one!

Davio1963

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Nov 20, 2008, 7:51:18 PM11/20/08

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[q][i]Originally posted by: [b][b]DoctorXX[/b][/b][/i]
I found the solution on another site. Go to
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Macromed\Flash and copy "Flash9.ocx" and then paste it back
in the same directory. This will create a "Copy of Flash9.ocx" which you
should rename "Flash.ocx." (Thus you will have "Flash.ocx" and "Flash9.ocx",
both the same file with a different name in the same directory.) My screensaver
now works and I no longer get the error message.[/q]

This worked for me, and I currently have Flash v.10 installed. So I would
assume that this fix will work no matter what version you have.
It would appear that there is a conflict between some Flash-based screensavers
and the latest versions of Flash. Who knows how it came to be, I just know that
this fix worked for me.
Wow, I made a rhyme!
Dave