Flash Problem

[Judy]

I downgraded from Flash 9 to Flash 7. It works fine except when I go to certain flash pages, it automatically updates to Flash 9, without asking me.

[Constance]

Which browser are you using (please include version number) ?
Can you give the name of some of these websites ?
Is javascript enabled (for these websites) in your browser ?

[Judy]

IE 6
I have javascript enabled
The web site it did it on was Neopets.

[Constance]

Thanks for the info. I'll try to see if I can see the problem happen in a similar environment tomorrow afternoon.

[Judy]

I just went to this site, and it downloaded flash 9 automatically, without asking me.

http://www.ozzfest.com/news_2007.html

[Judy]

Another thing it does. When I remove Flash completely, using Adobe's updated Flash uninstaller, then re-start my computer, as soon as I go to a site that has flash, it installs it automatically.

[Constance]

Arf, I had completely forgotten about this. Will install a Virtual PC asap and test ^^

Edit : so, I installed Win98 in a virtual pc and updated it with IE6.
Then I went on the second site you gave (ozzthing...) and got this message you can see on that screenshot : http://pix.nofrag.com/9d/bc/26478729e257d171e939af78b188.jpeg

Sorry, it's in french, but there is a checkbox at the bottom that should be saying somehow "always trust content from Adobe Systems..." ... maybe you checked such a box while installing a previous version of Flash, thus deactivating the confirmation message and allowing the updates to be done without warning ?

I never checked such a box so I can't tell you where precisely in the IE settings you may disable such permissions once they are given.

[Judy]

I don't get that box. Nothing came up in my installations to click, or not click.

[XPY]

As far as i know an exe-file named "FlashUtil" (or "GetFlash" in older versions) is responsible for auto-update. Maybe it helps to block internet access for this program with your firewall, or just make a ZIP backup of this file(s), delete them and see what happens. Alternativetly, add the following two lines to your HOSTS file (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hosts_file):

127.0.0.1 e526.d.akamaiedge.net
127.0.0.1 fpdownload.macromedia.com

How to:
1. go to folder C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc
2. open the file "HOSTS" with any text editor
3. copy and paste the two lines above
4. save the file (without any suffix / extension!) to its original location

This procedure should block all access from your computer to the flash update servers. Good luck!

[Judy]

Thanks, but that didn't work.

This didn't work either.
1. go to folder C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc
(I only have C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers)
2. open the file "HOSTS" with any text editor
(There is no Hosts file)

[XPY]

I think you need to make your hidden files visible:

1. Go to My Computer
2. Select the Tools menu and click Folder Options
3. Click the View tab
4. Checkmark the "Display the contents of system folders"
5. Under the Hidden files and folders select "Show hidden files and folders"
6. Click Apply and then OK

Now the hosts file should be visible.

[locustfurnace]

The HOSTS file is stored differently on the different versions of MS Windows. The location given above is likely for Windows NT/2000/XP, while Windows 9x stores the HOST file under
C:\WINDOWS\

[Judy]

Under C:/Windows I have,
hosts, hosts.20040114-115220.backup, and HOSTS.SAM
The first one has something to do with spybot.

[XPY]

Ok. Please open the first one (hosts) with a text editor and then tell me if the content looks similar to this:

# Copyright (c) 1993-1999 Microsoft Corp.
#
# This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows.
#
# This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each
# entry should be kept on an individual line. The IP address should
# be placed in the first column followed by the corresponding host name.
# The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one
# space.
#
# Additionally, comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual
# lines or following the machine name denoted by a '#' symbol.
#
# For example:
#
# 102.54.94.97 rhino.acme.com # source server
# 38.25.63.10 x.acme.com # x client host

127.0.0.1 localhost

[Judy]

No, it just has this at the very bottom,

# Start of entries inserted by Spybot - Search & Destroy
# End of entries inserted by Spybot - Search & Destroy


The text you posted is in HOSTS.SAM

[XPY]

Ok. Now delete your content of "hosts" and then copy and paste the following three lines:

127.0.0.1 localhost
127.0.0.1 e526.d.akamaiedge.net
127.0.0.1 fpdownload.macromedia.com

Save the file to its original location and without extension.

[Judy]

Didn't work The same thing happens as before. :(

It's like it's coming from the site the flash is on.

[the gaffer]

have you checked the adobe website http://www.macromedia.com/support/documentation/en/flashplayer/help/help10.html#117408 bottom of the page refers to instructions for disabling updates notifications etc

[Judy]

Thanks, I tried there first. This is different. This is something that's embedded in the flash file on these sites. It doesn't happen with all sites. Thank you to all who tried to help me. It's been really great of you. :)

[XPY]

have you checked the adobe website http://www.macromedia.com/support/documentation/en/flashplayer/help/help10.html#117408 bottom of the page refers to instructions for disabling updates notifications etcOmg lol its so easy!


Thanks, I tried there first. This is different. This is something that's embedded in the flash file on these sites. It doesn't happen with all sites. Thank you to all who tried to help me. It's been really great of you. :)
I think its better you undo the hosts-file changes, just in case one day your comp needs to connect to these domains. Just delete the two lines.

[Judy]

"Originally Posted by the gaffer
have you checked the adobe website http://www.macromedia.com/support/do...10.html#117408 bottom of the page refers to instructions for disabling updates notifications etc"

I tried that twice and it didn't work.

I deleted what I put in the Hosts file as well. :)

[Constance]

Hmm I think I have found how you should be able to fix it.
The names might not be exactly the same as I say since I have only french versions of Windows, so I provided screenshot to help locating the things according to where the buttons are in the dialog boxes / which icons are present ...

So, I think you should do like this :
1 - Open Internet Explorer
2 - Menu "Tools", "Internet Options..."
3 - Tab "Contents"
4 - Button "Publishers" (or "Editors" or something ... )
5 - select any line containing something about Macromedia or Adobe
6 - Click Delete
7 - Close the dialog boxes with Ok :)

Screenshot : http://xs413.xs.to/xs413/07125/enleverautorisation.png

[Judy]

Thanks, but that didn't work either. This is so crazy. Everyone else gets a pop up, asking if they want to download it.

[XPY]

Another question, why do you want to use an old version? Im no security expert, but i think using an outdated version lowers the security level of your computer drastically. Browser, java, flash, shockwave, etc. should always kept up to date. In the worst case, if you (unintentionally) visit a malicious website, someone might gain access/control to your whole harddrive. Surfing with Internet explorer 6 is already dangerous enough, IMHO.

[Judy]

Flash 9 causes errors in internet explorer, and shuts the browser down.
I never had any problems with version 7. I've heard horror stories from friends, and all over the Internet on IE7. Even if I did have Flash 9, that wouldn't solve my real problem, flash downloading without prompting. :)

[locustfurnace]

I do not use IE or FLASH, but since this problem seems to still be going on, I will see if can add some help.
I am going to assume the OP does not want FLASH to auto upgrade?

Open IE's PROPERTY dialog. Which is as simple as right-clicking on the IE icon, selecting PROPERTIES.

Go to the TAB marked Security. a simple way to do this would be to click on Default Level. This in theory should solve some issues.

But, you probably will want to fine tune this, so click on the Custom Level. Then you can read down the list, and change your settings to Prompt for the ActiveX controls.

This should then ipop-up a window when you go to a website which wants to install something into your web browser.

If you want to disable that, you can do that as well by setting the options to Disable

There is also a setting to disable Install on Demand. Which is usually used by the web browser to upgrade FONTS and similar.

This is located under the Advanced tab.

[Judy]

"change your settings to Prompt for the ActiveX controls."

I have done that, and I do get my computers prompt. I also have Install on Demand disabled.

I was hoping to find out how to get the promp that every one else gets from Adobe, when a site wants to download an upgrade. There's obviously something on my computer that's prevents that prompt from showing. Thank you for posting though. :)

I'm also trying the forums on Adobe to see if they know. :)

[locustfurnace]

Maybe at some point in time, an Adobe program was getting installed and the prompt came up asking you if you want to ALWAYS TRUST ADOBE.
You may want to remove any security certificates from ADOBE.

[OldMan-V4.1]

I'm not 100 % sure but if you go to a page with flash on it and right or left click on the
flash window you'll pop up a small options window, it asks whether you want the microphone
or camera to be 'on' and it might ask if you want to auto download and install new versions.


Also I'm sure in Tools in IE there's a setting to download and install automatically programs
that present themself to your browser. You ARE using Internet Explorer right? < = You should
consider going to Opera or Firefox due to suseptability to hacking attacks and you'll find Opera
and Firefox MUCH more fun and easy to use.. but in IE you can choose to NOT have the browser
download and install new programs < = again Microsoft is made for the dumb mass of people who will
let themselves be subject (Like a British Subject) subject to the whim's of Microsoft. That's the best
reason to switch.

Hope those help. I'm sure you'll get better help in details.

[Judy]

Maybe at some point in time, an Adobe program was getting installed and the prompt came up asking you if you want to ALWAYS TRUST ADOBE.
You may want to remove any security certificates from ADOBE.

I removed the security certificate, and it worked!
Thank you, and everyone else who helped me. This is a great help forum. :)