How to start an swf on a webpage?

flash files on a webpage

[MrWrite]

I have a few small swf files that I have inserted into a webpage. When I preview the page, I can see the files. However I would rather not see them all at the same time. I am trying to set up a button link to make them start. I created 3 flash buttons and linked them to the swf files - and it works, but as a separate entity, not as an item on the page. It must be something pretty simple that I am missing. Any suggestions? I'm using Dreamweaver MX2004
Thanks in advance

[rocknbil]

Welcome aboard MrWrite,

I created 3 flash buttons and linked them to the swf files

So you have three separate .swf's acting a buttons for the playable .swf's (totaling 6 .swfs, 3 buttons, 3 playable ones), or are these buttons actually inside the .swf's?

If I follow, the way to do this would be to have the "start" button within each playable .swf. It doesn't even need to be a button, really, a simple transparent box the size of the stage, converted to a button symbol, that executes play() when clicked. This keeps the entire functioning of the .swf contained within itself.

The other way would be a little more complex and require Javascript to communicate between the .swf's.

[MrWrite]

Much appreciated rocknbil. I was hoping I could do them separately as I don't have the .fla files of the .swf files that I want to play.

[MrWrite]

Doing some research, I see there are many swf to fla converters. That would help a lot. Can anyone recommend a reliable one?