Flash player invisible on liveleak.com

Report · Mar 29, 2011

I'm running Win XP Pro SP3 and all the latest patches. I use Firefox 4 and everything functions correctly except on http://www.liveleak.com

Regardless of which video I choose there, all I see is a blank section where the player should be, but I do get audio. I've tried running FF4 in Safe Mode i.e. with all add-ons disabled, but the problem persists.

I've reinstalled Flash player several times and as you can see from this screenshot, I have the correct version installed:

http://img151.imageshack.us/i/flashversion.png/

I used the uninstaller downloaded from http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/141/tn_14157.html and rebooted prior to reinstalling again, but to no avail.

The flash test page @ http://www.adobe.com/software/flash/about/displays a blank space where the version should show so presumably, something is amiss.

Also, videos at liveleak.com play correctly in IE8, so it appears to be some kind of compatibility problem between FF4 and Flash.

Anybody else have this problem?

Report · Mar 29, 2011

Hi, Well either the Shockwave Flash plugin is not Installed or it's not Enabled. So I would check that first.

If it's Installed and Enabled, then I would suspect FF4.0. Other users are having issues with FF4.0. One has Uninstalled it and reverted back to the previous vs. Another didn't want to lose all of the Settings/Date/Bookmarks, so is waiting and using IE, waiting on a fix from Mozilla. Another had to Uninstall "Better Privacy", disabling didn't do it. Once he did that FF4.0 worked fine with Flash Player.

That's all I can remember on that at the moment.

Thanks,

eidnolb

Report · Mar 29, 2011

Thanks for the suggestions, but uninstalling Better Privacy didn't make any difference. Also, Shockwave is installed correctly as you can see from my previous screenshot.

I notice too that the flash player manager also shows a blank space on the Adobe site: http://img809.imageshack.us/i/managerinvisible.png/

Strangely enough though, I can play flash videos on http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ and access the flash manager as can be seen here: http://img849.imageshack.us/i/telegraph.png/

I think FF4 has a mind of its own.

Report · Mar 29, 2011

Hi, I love new Technology, but wasn't thrilled seeing IE9 and FF4.0 come out at the same time:-) Since the browsers are Flash Player's home, so to speak. At least it's the "Control & Command"

Having little problem with other sites with FF4.0, I wouldn't think liveleak would require a Setting in one of the Panels.

I know you said you get a blank space on the main site, try one of the individual panel links to see if that makes a difference.

You could check this Panel and if both boxes aren't checked, see if allowing those makes a difference.

http://www.macromedia.com/support/documentation/en/flashplayer/help/settings_manager03.html

This one is for Trusted Sites: http://www.macromedia.com/support/documentation/en/flashplayer/help/settings_manager04.html

If you can't open those Panel sites, it sounds as if the Shockwave Flash plugin is not being recognized even tho it's Installed and Enabled. You don't have more than one listing do you? Is that plugin vs 10.2.153.1?

I think FF4.0 & IE9 are both having "growing pains":-)

See if this helps. I haven't been over to FF for 3-4 days. Last time I entered in the Search" FF4.0 not working" and 262 posts came up.

Thanks,

eidnolb

Report · Mar 30, 2011

I can open both sites for the links you gave me, but there's no panel visible: it's just a blank space.This is what it looks like to me: http://img809.imageshack.us/i/managerinvisible.png/

If I hover the mouse over the space where the panel should be, the pointer will turn into a hand. If I click at that juncture, I get the message: "The Settings Manager that you see above is not an image"..etc., so the PC seems to think the panel is there, but I can't actually see it.

I also, when I go to liveleak.com, I can see all the links on the homepage, but when I try to load an individual file I just see the same blank space as I do on the Adobe site. If I click somewhere in the middle of the blank space, the video starts playing and I can hear the audio, but that's all.

I've just tried using my other Windows admin account to login with and uninstalled flash using the Adobe uninstaller, rebooted and then used the install_flash_player.exe I downloaded from here to reinstall it, but it doesn't make any difference I'm afraid.

I still find it odd that I can play flash videos on www.telegraph.co.uk like this one for example: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/8411662/Bus-narrowly-escapes-falling-bridge.html and also on BBC News like this one: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12905383 so this would seem to indicate that the player is installed correctly.

I'll try updating my display drivers in a moment because I see that Nvidia has released an update to v266 something. I'll let you know what happens.

Thanks for your comments in any event.

Report · Mar 30, 2011

This is an update on my previous post to this one.

I've done some more troubleshooting, but all to no avail so far.

I now have Nvidia driver version v266.58 which is the latest WHQL certified drivers for my 8800 GTX with 768MB RAM.

I also tried clearing cookies, history and cache on Firefox 4, but no joy.

In addition, I created a new Profile on Firefox in accordance with instructions @ http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Basic%20Troubleshooting?s=reinstall+firefox&as=s#w_6-reset-your-firefox-settings

Also of interest is that I can play the flash video on the Jing player without any problems @ http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Managing%20profiles#w_starting-the-profile-manager

I checked the Shockwave installation and the animation plays correctly on the Adobe site. The animation doesn't appear at all for the flash site though.

Ironically, flash works correctly on my other PC which I just checked a few minutes ago. I can also play videos at liveleak.com using that. Both systems run Win XP SP3 fully patched and Firefox 4. I do however have a different AV on the other machine namely Avast. I used to have it on this one too, but startup times were unacceptable with it on this system taking up to 3 minutes before I could use the machine, so I switched to using AVG. I disabled the AVG's Resident Shield just in case that was the cause, but no joy unfortunately. I also disabled AVG Watchdog via MSCONFIG which disables everything on AVG, but that didn't make any difference either.

I shall persevere.

Report · Mar 30, 2011

Hi Do you have the hardware acceleration turned off or on? For now, I would turn it off, especially since you've updated the driver.

go to this site: http://www.adobe.com/software/flash/about/. Right click on the Flash logo, Settings,
then UNcheck the hardware acceleration in Display Settings.

What is the Jing player? A sample video on FF? Or an Installed Player on your computer?

I checked the Shockwave installation and the animation plays correctly on the Adobe site. The animation doesn't appear at all for the flash site though.

Which animation site is that?

The animation for the flash site you mentioned, that is the "about" site, I am assuming.

Yes, Avast is resource heavy and I had to remove it also a couple of years ago due to that.

Is AVG the free version? The Resident Shield is the AV engine and that hasn't interfered other than I have users disable it when Uninstalling/Installing Flash Player. The addons/plugins/extensions in FF from AVG that can cause issues. Like the following.

Now Disabling may not be related to liveleak, but it won't effect the Resident Shield or the protection of your computer. It's worth a try:

LinkScanner:
Open AVG User Interface.(Right Click to Open)
Double-click on the LinkScanner.
Un-tick the option Enable AVG Search-Shield and Enable Active Surf-Shield.
SAVE THE CHANGES

Add Ons Disable:

AVG SafeSearch
AVG Security Toolbar
AVG Security Toolbar BHO

Something is conflicting with FF4.0 at that site and also preventing you from seeing the Global Panel Settings. I don't think AVG has anything to do with the Panels, but may with liveleak.

I have a thread that I will link to after you check the above items.

Thanks,

eidnolb

Report · Mar 30, 2011

Well, as mentioned before, there's nothing visible on that site you linked to so I couldn't disable h/w a/h there, but I loaded a flash video on telegraph.co.uk instead and disabled it there instead. It doesn't make any difference of course.

Jing player is the player Mozilla uses to instruct users how to troubleshoot visually. It's embedded on that link I gave you.

The Shockwave test site can be found @ http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/welcome/ The animation plays correctly as can be seen in this screenshot: http://img687.imageshack.us/i/shockwavetest.png/ But if I click the link on that page to go to the Flash site, nothing appears (I should see a revolving "F" I believe?).

I didn't install the Linkscanner when I installed AVG because I know from past experience that it causes problems. Neither do I have any of the other AVG plugins you mentioned.

Thanks for your help once again.

Report · Mar 30, 2011

Hi, ok thanks for checking. Evidently AVG installs those addons in IE only? Hmmmm.

Hope you saw my previous post on the Global Setting info.

eidnolb

Report · Mar 30, 2011

Hi, After you check the info from my previous post and if it was unsuccessful, this site has info on a solution that may solve the issue you are having regarding the Global Settings.

I am preparing Taxes, so will not be on the Forum for awhile, but will check in now & then. That's why I'm posting this now.

Post#16 gives the basis of Post #18 and yes it has worked for many users that have this problem.

Thread: http://forums.adobe.com/message/2454582#2454582

Thanks,

eidnolb

Report · Mar 30, 2011

I looked at the settings you mentioned and in the first one called AssetCache, I have another folder in there with what looks like a random name. That contains 40 objects, one of which is a text file which contains the size of the cache. Of this number, 19 are HEU files and the other 20 are SWZ files.

The other one for Flash Player contains four folders named respectively, #Security, #SharedObjects, macromedia.com and www.macromedia.com

The first one, #Security, contains another folder called FlashPlayerTrust and that one in turn contains a file called air.1.0.trust.cfg

The second one, #SharedObjects contains a folder called 5H9DAAJ which in turn contains four more folders called respectively, js2.wlrs.com, p.ooyala.com, player.ooyala.com and secure.wlxrs.com. Each of these contain a number of SOL files.

I can list them if you wish, but I recognize some of them as belonging to players such as the one of the telegraph.co.uk news site (the ooyala player). Is it the intention to delete all of the data in the respective files?

I looked at sergioazenha's profile (the guy/girl recommending this action), but note he hasn't been around since September 2010, so I don't think his TS steps will be particularly relevant to FF4 since the latter was launched only a few days ago.

Also, my installation works on some sites but not others. I don't particularly want to screw up the ones which do work by deleting their data if you know what I mean.

Good luck with the Tax Return! I've already submitted mine

Report · Mar 30, 2011

Hi, I understand your concern on that procedure. My understanding of it is that that location using "Windows Explorer", not IE are temp files and they sometimes interfere how Flash Player writes to those. It someway causes a glitch with the Global Panel Settings and prevents users from using them. I don't think any folder other than the one mentioned is used. But if you don't feel comfortable in doing that, that's fine. At least until it's explained. It's not browser related though. It's Flash Player/Global Settings/location related.

There are several other threads on that, as it comes up quite often and when I get done with some of these taxes, I'll find them.

Pat the other active Helper here could explain it to you better than I can. He may have a couple of threads on this, since he gives the info to many users.

On the fact that the person hasn't posted since 9/10 has to do with how long the Forum keeps replies. I've noticed that ones that should be listed are not and these would be recent ones that should be there. I have been meaning to find out why, but just haven't done so yet. It does cause problems when I'm searching for a thread that I know has info I need:-)

Thanks,

eidnolb

Report · Apr 01, 2011

@ eidnolb, I finally decided to clear the contents of the AssetCache and Flash Player at the two locations you gave me, but to no avail. For the benefit of anyone else reading this, those locations are as follows:

C:\Documents and Settings\[username]\Application Data\Adobe\Flash Player\AssetCache
C:\Documents and Settings\[username]\Application Data\Macromedia\Flash Player

In desperation, I reinstalled Firefox 4 this morning, but the problem persists. I even copied the profile from my other PC (flash works properly on that) and used it to overwrite the one on this machine, but no joy with that step either.

To summarize the problem to save anyone re-reading previous posts, I can view flash video on most sites including http://www.bbcnews.com | http://www.telegraph.co.uk and Youtube. But on http://www.liveleak.com I cannot see the player after clicking a link. On the Adobe site, I cannot see the Global Settings Panel. There's just a space where it should be, or in other words, it's invisible. The computer can 'see' it though because at a given moment, it turns into a hand pointer and if I press the left mouse button, I'll get the message that it's not an image, but the actual control panel.

Also, the flash animation on http://www.adobe.com/software/flash/about/ isn't visible either. But it plays correctly on http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/welcome/

The only thing I installed on this machine recently was Mozilla Thunderbird, but I didn't like it, so I went back to using OE.

My own system setup is as follows:

ASUS Crosshair MBD with 2GB Corsair XMS DDR2 TwinX

AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core CPU 6000+

2 x 250GB SATA I HDs (Western Digital)

Club-3D GeForce 8800 GTX with 768MB DDR2 and Nvidia driver version: v266.58 WHQL

Creative SoundBlaster audio card

Windows XP Pro SP3 fully patched

IE8

Firefox 4

I built the system myself in 2007. Secunia PSI gives the machine a clean bill of health.

I'm at a loss now to know what to do next.

Any suggestions anybody?

Report · Apr 01, 2011

Hi, The website liveleak, set aside, you're not able to access the Global Panels nor see the Flash Player logo on the about site.

I just noticed you have Silverlight. Try Disabling that.

Even tho you can see that other site with the Shockwave Player, that is not Flash Player. That site just tests Shockwave Player not Flash Player.

Try the Global Settings Panels using IE.

Let me know.

Thanks,

eidnolb

Report · Apr 02, 2011

Disabling Silverlight doesn't make any difference.

Yes, everything works just fine in IE8, but nobody in their right mind uses that browser.

This site doesn't work either: http://www.louisvuitton.com/uk/flash/index.jsp;jsessionid=00SNZPHFPUSRICRBXUDVAFYKEG4RAUPU?direct1=cate_w&direct2=cat10139

Message was edited by: Xircal

Report · Apr 02, 2011

Hi, I just went to liveleak and can't watch any videos with IE. That's the only browser I use tho. It appears there is some conflict with the site and FF4.0. That is probably the first site I've ever encountered that I can't watch a video!!! I didn't see any help section on the site either.

I didn't have any problem with the latest site you linked to.

I'd check with the FF forum to see if other users are having an issue with that site. The issue must be with FF4.0 and the sites you are having a problem with, at least that is what it appears to be. You might want to post on their Forum and see what response you receive.

Then you might want to think about Installing Safari and see if that works.

Did you check the Global Panel Settings with IE? You need to try that, since FF clearly isn't working for that.

In Post#8, you indicated that you couldn't see the Flash Player logo?

You may want to go to C:\Windows\System32\Macromed\Flash Open Flash and post back your files. The NPSWF files will need a right click to Open, then click on Properties to obtain the version numbers.

That Shockwave Flash plugin, is it the same version of Flash Player that is Installed?

Thanks,

eidnolb

Report · Apr 02, 2011

I'll have a look at the FF forums like you suggested later this evening. As you say, there might be similar issues appearing there.

Strange that you can't see liveleak on IE8. I've noticed that installing it via the install_flash_player_ax.exe doesn't work, or at least on my system it doesn't. I have to install it by downloading it with IE8 and then running the installation from within the browser.

Still no joy with the global settings panel even after configuring it with IE8. And no, I can't see the flash animation as mentioned in #8.

In FF4, the following plugins are installed

Shockwave for Director is v11.5.9.620

Shockwave Flash is v10.2.153.1

Quicktime plugin v7.6.9

Java v1.6.0.24

Oh, and MS plugins which we can't get away from.

In C:\WINDOWS\system32\Macromed\Flash contents as follows:

FlashPlayerTrust (folder)
NPSWF.DLL = version 10.2.153.1
KB923789.inf - 24-Aug-06
Install.log - 14-Oct -10
flashplayer.xpt - 02-Apr-11
FlashUtil10o.Plugin.exe - 02-Apr-11
Flash10o.ocx - 02-Apr-11
FlashInstall.log - 02-Apr-11
FlashUtil10o_ActiveX.dll - 02-Apr-11
FlashUtil10o_ActiveX.exe - 02-Apr-11

The FlashPlayerTrust folder contains these:

agi-trust.cfg - 12-Feb-10
PSStore.cfg - 28-Oct-09

Thanks for your help once again.

Message was edited by: Xircal

Report · Apr 02, 2011

Hi, I was able to see the liveleak site, but no response when I clicked on any of the video sites. That was strange for me too.

Your Flash files for IE & FF are correct.

You said:

I've noticed that installing it via the install_flash_player_ax.exe doesn't work, or at least on my system it doesn't. I have to install it by downloading it with IE8 and then running the installation from within the browser.

Are you speaking of Installing Flash Player for FF using that Installer? You know what I'd do if I were you? I can post the procedure for an Uninstall/Install of Flash Player that I give users. It is the Manual Method and the links don't have the "extras" like McAfee/Google Toolbar, etc. It may be worth a try.

Let me know and I'll get that for you. I know you are in a different time zone so will try to get that to you asap if you want.

Thanks,

eidnolb

Report · Apr 02, 2011

Actually, I was talking about you not being able to see videos on liveleak when I mentioned installing Flash via the browser. In that respect, I was talking about IE8.

I use the manual method myself i.e. uninstall it with uninstall_flash_player.exe then reboot and then run install_flash_player.exe which I downloaded previously. There doesn't appear to be an uninstaller for Shockwave for Director (?)

I'm now posting the problem on Mozilla's FF4 support. I'll update this thread again later.

Update

I've just posted the problem @ https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/questions/805877?new=1

Message was edited by: Xircal

Report · Apr 02, 2011

Oh, ok thanks. I've never had any problem Installing Flash Player, either manually before I had the notification set in the Global Panel. I like the notification method which Flash Player just pops up a window saying it's available. You'll be able to do that also if we ever get the Global Settings working:-) It is Sooooo much easier. Flash Player Uninstalls and Installs in under 2 minutes:-) I love it. I did have to Uninstall/Install manually after Installing the SP3 for XP. I do take my own advice that I give others

One of the differences in the Manual method that I recommend is disabling the Anti-Virus after that Uninstall/Reboot. Many of the AV's will re-enable themselves and then block the Install of that ActiveX Control for FP. (for IE of course) Now with the non-IE Install of FP, bit defender can cause an issue with that Shockwave Flash plugin. They may have fixed it now, but I know it did before.

Hope you get an answer on the FF Forum. You are computer literate so you'll know when a suggestion doesn't make sense over there:-)

Thanks,

eidnolb

Report · Apr 02, 2011

Hi, just read your Update. Will take a look a little later, getting ready for Dinner soon in my zone.

Thanks,

eidnolb

Report · Apr 02, 2011

Hi, I took a look at your thread there earlier. Nicely stated:-) I just did a search, which may be helpful.

https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/search?os=1&fx=1&q=Shockwave+Flash+Plugin+not+working

If I find anything else, will let you know.

eidnolb

Report · Apr 03, 2011

Sorry, I should have mentioned it, but I've already been through those steps. In the "about:plugins" folder, everything is listed correctly. Neither do I have the Adobe DLM installed.

Racking my brains though, I recall experiencing similar problems surfing the Web a few years ago before I started using Firefox even. On that occasion, I traced the problem to an app called sQusi which blocked trackers, web bugs etc. You'll find details of it here: http://download.cnet.com/sQusi-Tracking-Blocker/3000-7786_4-10605281.html Even after uninstalling it, it left many registry entries which seemed to remain functional and continued to interfere with IE6 or 7. After deleting all those, I was able to surf normally again.

That led me to recall that I'd installed a Firefox add-on called Ghostery which functions in a similar way (I'd forgotten about the lesson I'd learned with sQusi). But after reading that the developer (David Cancel) had sold it to an advertising agency I uninstalled it. See http://blog.evidon.com/2010/01/19/better-advertising-acquires-ghostery/

I wondered if perhaps Ghostery had also installed itself somewhere in the registry, but I've been through it this morning with a fine toothcomb and can't find any reference to it.

I've also run a Sysinternals utility called Autoruns, but can't find anything in it which shouldn't be there.

So at this moment in time, the issue remains a mystery.

Message was edited by: Xircal

Report · Apr 03, 2011

Fixed it!

Damn firewall blocking access to FF's plugin_container.exe. It never occurred to me earlier to check that because of course I could play some Flash videos, but not others.

But somehow or other, the firewall had blocked access to everything that utility needs to access in order to work.

Just in case somebody else encounters the same problem, here's a screenshot of what was happening prior to making the change: http://img8.imageshack.us/i/firewallresettoallow.png/

All those settings in the "Block" column, with the exception of the top one need to be listed in the center "Allow" column.

Anyway, thanks very much once again for taking so time to try and help me.

Message was edited by: Xircal