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starstealinggirl
Participant
July 31, 2006
Question

could not find flash.ocx

  • July 31, 2006
  • 8 replies
  • 25436 views
For the past few days, I've been getting an error "could not find the file 'flash.ocx.'" There is a button for OK and nothing else.

I recently upgraded to flash 9 so I could run a game, and have been receiving the error ever since.

I've tried uninstalling and restarting, then re-installing and restarting. I've looked at websites all over the internet hoping to find some sort of fix but couldn't find many other people having the same issue, and couldn't find an answer. I found a registry fix but running that did not work. I even tried installing flash 8, and it still was giving me the error. I found that the error was showing up every five minutes and only when the computer was idle, never when I was doing something. It also seemed to disable my screensaver, which I assume uses flash. My screensaver, apparently, is the program trying to access this and failing. Sure enough, going into my screensaver options and chosing to preview this particular screensaver showed me the error. I deleted and re-installed this screensaver (from an official website, it's the stargate atlantis official screensaver) and still am receiving the error.

Changing my default screensaver to a windows XP one works fine. Now that I've worked around it, it's not a big issue but I'd still like to know if anyone knows what could be wrong. Could there be something wrong with my version of flash, could it be corrupted somehow, or is it the actual screensaver? Could the screensaver be looking for something in an earlier flash version and not playing well with flash9? I just don't want this to become a problem in the future, and I hope it helps a few out who are having this issue as well.
    This topic has been closed for replies.

    8 replies

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    pcguy_tv
    Participant
    March 19, 2009
    Your screensaver is calling flash in a way not compatible with the latest update. Go back to a screensaver shipped with windows. There is nothing wrong with Flash or your computer.
    G
    glf333
    Participant
    January 30, 2009
    Hey I just wanted to tell you how to fix your problem...Ok, first do this go to (local dick C.) then locate windows next locate file system 32 now if you done correctly you should be able to find macromedia it is a file which contains flash files once in this file check to see if you have this file Flash9.ocx if not you will have to download if you don't have it see if you have this file Flash.ocx.Now Flash.ocx is basically an old version of flash if you download Flash9.ocx you can simply replace it and rename it flash.ocx here I will make it simple for you...

    To do this:
    1. Browse to the C:\Windows\System32\Macromed\Flash folder.
    2. Locate the flash9.ocx file and right click it and select copy.
    3. Right click in a blank spot of the same folder and select paste.
    4. You will then find you have a file called Copy of Flash9.ocx in the folder.
    5. Right click the new file and select rename and rename to flash.ocx


    If you need a good place to find a download for Flash9.ocx use CNET.com simply put in the Flash9.ocx name and you should see a list you will have to download a what seems to be a registry fixer and that should fix your problem!!!!
    B
    Bill_Cody
    Participant
    July 30, 2008
    Hi svtdragon,
    I started having the Can not find ... after visiting a TV broadcasting site, where I was prompted to upgrade my Flash. To fix it, I copied Flash9f.ocx, as you said, and renamed it Flash.ocx in the Flash directory. Voila, my Breitling screensaver works again and no more Can not find the Macromedia Flash signs. Good Indian medicine. Thanks. It has to be a Stetson!
    Bill Cody, 7/30/08
    F
    firminodias
    Participant
    August 1, 2008
    I have the same problem, butt the error message says can't find SWFLASH.OCX.....can i do the same thing? Copy and then change the Flash9f.ocx to swflash.ocx?

    I have another problem, in the "Add and Remove Programs" list, the Adobe Flash Player 9 disapear, i just have Adobe Flash Player ActiveX. What can i do?
    T
    toddshmack
    Participant
    January 13, 2007
    Had the same problem here - "Error - Can not find the Macromedia Flash". I was using LCARS System47 screensaver from mewho.com. It's an excellent and stable screensaver, and the best free one I've found with dual-monitor support. Adobe auto-updated Flash after I'd installed the screensaver, and that's when I started getting the error. So I thought maybe System47 was using Flash. I went back to mewho.com, got the latest install, installed over the existing, and my problem is solved. My kudos to Adobe and mewho.com for staying on top of things. (Adobe may not have replied to questions in this forum, but how could they know? It would be impossible for them to test every one of the possibly millions of real-world scenarios. But their products are always top-notch and well-supported.) Hope this helps.
    V
    verwoodspring
    Participant
    November 17, 2006
    Hhhmm.. well job "was done", but straight afterwards, MS updated AGAIN and created the same fault.
    Typical MS.
    A
    al234
    Participant
    August 10, 2006
    Copy & Rename "flash9.ocx" to "flash.ocx"... Has anyone experienced the issue with Flash9 not recognizing IE when installing , but automatically registers Mozilla? Then when you browse for IE and slect the directory for plug-ins (which Macromedia asks for) it dislays the message plug-ins not found in the directory (although the folder is clearly there). Why is it that ver.7 works in Mozilla, but not IE and version 8 will not even attempt to install on IE?
    G
    gansvv
    Participant
    October 28, 2007
    AWESOME!! works!!

    quote:
    Originally posted by: svtdragon
    I think I solved the problem.

    I went to C:\WINDOWS\system32\Macromed\Flash and copied "Flash9.ocx" and then pasted it back in the same directory. This created "Copy of Flash9.ocx" which I then renamed to "Flash.ocx." (Thus I had "Flash.ocx" and "Flash9.ocx", both the same file with a different name in the same directory.) Everything in IE seems to be working normally now; I'm not sure yet about my screensaver, but time will tell.


    I had the same problem after Flash9 player upgrade. Was thinking its some virus..
    but anyways, your solution worked for me.. I didn't have Flash9.ocx but had Flash9b.ocx and Flash9c.ocx, with the C version 0.01mb larger in size. I duplicated the C version and renamed it to Flash.ocx, and now the same screensaver works just fine!! :)

    thanks.. you rock!
    N
    Nikki_Tatts
    Participant
    August 3, 2006
    ERROR "could not find the file Macromedia Flash"

    I am having the exact same problem and it is driving me nuts! I've uninstalled, reinstalled you name it. The screen saver I'm using is the blank screen so there is no need for flash there. Every time I reinstall Flash 9 is says it has been installed successfully and even has the flash display, yet when I go to some sites it tells me I need to install flash. I don't know and no one seems to have a solution......PLEASE HELP!!!!!
    N
    Nikki_Tatts
    Participant
    August 3, 2006

    I believe I have figured out the solution. Go to this "Uninstaller Link"and click on "download the windows uninstaller."
    Follow the prompts and completely uninstall the player and Active X. Once this is done go to download Flash Player 9 and it will install the complete version instead of the updates which have been problematic.
    V
    vèédub
    Participant
    August 5, 2006
    i've gone through all the steps above plus about 30 others with no success and i still get the same "flash.ocx" error. i've uninstalled flash player and shockwave and reinstalled them both repetedly. i've finally given up on trying to run anything other than a Windows® screen saver becasue this new player upgrade is clearly sub-par and can't handle the simple opperation. what i don't understand is why there is a "flash9.ocx" file in C:\WINDOWS\system32\Macromed\Flash. is that the replacement for this missing file that isn't communicating with the older applications like the flash screen savers that everyone's having a problem with? adobe needs to rethink their upgrades before releasing them, especially if they aren't much of an "upgrade" at all. ANY help to solve this issue would be much appreciated.
    S
    svtdragon
    Participant
    August 3, 2006
    I've got the same error on XP SP2 (fully patched) with the offical Ford Mustang screensaver. Also, none of the flash/javascript on MLB.com works.

    Solutions would be great.
    F
    Feibiana
    Participant
    December 21, 2007
    Hey you!!!
    After looking and loooking I found this...and it worked for me!!!!!!

    Go to C:\WINDOWS\system32\Macromed\Flash and copy “Flash9.ocx” (may be named a little different) and then paste it back in the same directory. Rename the copied one “flash.ocx” and everything will be cool!

    Hope it works, and if it does, spread it out!!!!!

    Regards

    Feibian
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