Flash uninstalls itself after reboot

Problem with my Flash Player on Windows XP

[PainKiller]

Hi. Plase help me with the following problem.

Not everytime .. but most of the times I start Windows the Flash Player is not working (or is not installed anymore) ... All the browsers (IE, FF and Netscape) and also Yahoo Msg don't have Flash support ...

The flash is installed after I visit a flash site and automatically IE knows to go to macromedia and install it (and the flash is working as long as the computer is up).

Is this a registry problem or a bug from the flash player on my XP? How can I solve the problem?

Any help will be appreciated.

Thank you

[bill]

Welcome to WebmasterWorld PainKiller.

Do you have some sort of roll-back software that is reverting you to a previous state after reboot? If all of your software is being affected that might be the culprit. Do you lose settings on other software as well?

[nancyb]

I have the same problem with Flash. No roll-back software and all other programs do maintain settings. I finally just gave up after downloading Flash several times.

[bill]

I'm going to bump this thread over to our Flash Forum to see if you can get some better answers over there.

[PainKiller]

I don't use roll-back software. All other software or plugins preserve the settings, but this flash problem drive me nuts.

It happents not only in the IE but on FF also and Yahoo Msg.

All I could think .. is even one of the latest security update from Microsoft that generates this problem or ... a problem with the System Restore (but this doesn't make that much sense) ...

Any ideeas?

[Richard_N]

we have PC's fully patched and have no problems. Find it hard to believe this is a flash problem or it would be more widely reported surely?

My guess is its something on the local machine treating the flash plugin as a malicious programme and deleting it, have you checked your security settings and/or the browser settings?

Next look at any spyware. cleaner programmes installed, what is running on shutdown or boot up wich may be deleting it, because something must be?

[hakre]

hmm, looks like a wired problem, so it's good to sort some things out. as you said, there is no rollback software so i am asking you to be more specific how you determine that flash is not installed any longer.

does flash exists in your downloaded program files?

there are 2 ways to check for the activex to be installed on windows:

1.) short way:
-> press win + r
-> enter "%windir%\Downloaded Program Files"
-> check for a file called "Shockwave Flash Object"

2.) long way:
-> open Internet Options
-> General Tab
-> in section "Temporary Internet Files"
-> press button "Settings..."
-> "Settings"-Dialog Pops up
-> in section "Temporary Internet Files Folder"
-> press button "View Objects..."
-> check for a file called "Shockwave Flash Object"

my guess is that flash is still installed but it just don't work in your browser. this is a way to ensure.