Flash player issue on YouTube

[BruceUK]

I believe this is a recognised issue but I could use a bit of advice.

Until recently I was able to play YouTube videos with no problem. Now I'm getting the following message on the YouTube site:

"Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Macromedia's Flash Player. Get the latest Flash player."

Well I definitely have Javascript enabled in Internet Explorer 8. My installed programs list is showing that Version 10.0.45.2 of the Adobe Flash Player ActiveX control was installed on 15th March. However, various websites that I visit are now giving a message that they "want" to install the Flash player, so I'm not sure whether my current installation is corrupted in some way.

On that theory, I visited the Adobe site to download the Flash Player installation file, but their site states that, on 64-bit Windows, the Flash Player can be used only with a 32-bit browser. (They are apparently working on a version with full 64-bit compatibility.) I have the 64-bit version of IE8, so it seems I can't use Flash player unless I want to use a different browser.

So this has left me somewhat confused. I assume that my installation of Flash Player back on the 15th March has caused this problem, but I'm not sure how it can be resolved in view of this 64-bit compatibility issue.

Can someone give me some guidance on this please? Any suggestions will be gratefully received!

 

[bastones]

I read a thread on here that Flash 'as of now' only works on the 32bit version of IE, so Flash likely is installed and working but you will need to use the normal version of IE that doesn't have the ending (64-bit) and Flash should work .

 

[osholt]

Hi, I've got 3 nuggets of help to offer you today.

The first nugget is to try running YouTube in compatibility view (click that broken piece of paper next to refresh). If this doesn't work please try the next two nuggets of help.

The second nugget is to install Google Chrome, you can use Google Chrome until Adobe start supporting Flash for IE8 x64 or any other browser for that matter.

The third nugget is if YouTube is the only flash site you want access to, as long as you have Google Chrome installed, you can run YouTube in HTML5 not flash thus removing the flash problem element entirely. You can opt into YouTube HTML5 by going to YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. .

You could also have a look at running IE x86, there is a thread about how to do that at http://www.sevenforums.com/browsers-mail/1879-flash-player-64bit-ie-3.html .

As for YouTube working previously, I have no idea

I hope this is of some use.

Oli

 

[BruceUK]

Hi, thanks for the suggestions. Actually, I've realised that my computer also has the 32-bit version of Internet Explorer 8 already pre-installed, and that works fine for YouTube.

In fact, I'm now wondering what benefit I'm getting from using the 64-bit version of IE8 - can someone explain where the 64-bit version has an advantage?

 

[osholt]

Hi, thanks for the suggestions. Actually, I've realised that my computer also has the 32-bit version of Internet Explorer 8 already pre-installed, and that works fine for YouTube.

In fact, I'm now wondering what benefit I'm getting from using the 64-bit version of IE8 - can someone explain where the 64-bit version has an advantage?

The only real advantage is a small speed boost as well as being more stable on Windows 7 64bit . As said in the thread I sent to you, a browser is only as good as its plugins.

Oli