Flash Player Issues :-(

[TurcoLoco]

UPDATE:

MyInstaller only removed the change/remove buttons and the entry remained in the Add/Remove Program list.

If an entry remains in the add-remove programs list after the uninstall process, that means the related program installation keys in the registry were jacked. The Add-Remove Programs entry, though, is nothing more than a listing key at the registry location I mentioned in the earlier post. Both programs I mentioned can handle the deletion of this type of so called 'invalid' entries in the Add-Remove Programs list. Both programs have the unsintall option which uninstalls the program looking at the related registry values created by the program itself during the installation process, the other option is Delete (both programs has it as a big red X) which you can use to get rid of it from the Add-Remove Programs list. Removing it that way, however, may not resolve your problem but definitely worth a try besides you wouldn't want invalid entries on the list so it also makes sense.

Revo Uninstaller appears to be a lot more thorough, but I have no clue as to what I need to delete there are a lot of entries. How would I know which one's to delete. I'd like to delete anything that reads; Adobe/Flash/Macromedia/Shockwave. Can I do that with effing-up my PC?

After I attempt to uninstall the entry I get the same message when I try to uninstall the entry which a Windows Installer error; unable to remove unless I go to the folder containing the installation package "install_flash_player_active_x[1].msi

I click OK and then click "Scan after uninstall"....that's where I can see all the entries that look like I can delete the corrupted files; which one's though?

Can I send you a list of the entries?
Thanks! Melissa[/b]

Use Revo and select everything it lists after the 'Scan after Uninstall' process but I always do and advise everyone to backup their registry prior to any fiddling in the registry. Use ERUNT if you do not know how to do a complete registry backup. This free program is efficient, fast and easy to use.
After Revo, manually remove all other related files that you know of such as that .msi installer package that was previously downloaded. The package might have gotten corrupted during download or might have been so at the source. Also make sure you download it from the legit MS site.
Afterwards, try downloading the new installer package and run the installation. If any errors occur mentioning the Windows Installer, then as Snoopy suggested, downloading and installing the latest Windows Installer could help. If there are still errors, make sure you capture them word-by-format and let us know.

[MelissaY]

If an entry remains in the add-remove programs list after the uninstall process, that means the related program installation keys in the registry were jacked. The Add-Remove Programs entry, though, is nothing more than a listing key at the registry location I mentioned in the earlier post. Both programs I mentioned can handle the deletion of this type of so called 'invalid' entries in the Add-Remove Programs list. Both programs have the unsintall option which uninstalls the program looking at the related registry values created by the program itself during the installation process, the other option is Delete (both programs has it as a big red X) which you can use to get rid of it from the Add-Remove Programs list. Removing it that way, however, may not resolve your problem but definitely worth a try besides you wouldn't want invalid entries on the list so it also makes sense.

Use Revo and select everything it lists after the 'Scan after Uninstall' process but I always do and advise everyone to backup their registry prior to any fiddling in the registry. Use ERUNT if you do not know how to do a complete registry backup. This free program is efficient, fast and easy to use.
After Revo, manually remove all other related files that you know of such as that .msi installer package that was previously downloaded. The package might have gotten corrupted during download or might have been so at the source. Also make sure you download it from the legit MS site.
Afterwards, try downloading the new installer package and run the installation. If any errors occur mentioning the Windows Installer, then as Snoopy suggested, downloading and installing the latest Windows Installer could help. If there are still errors, make sure you capture them word-by-format and let us know.

The Geek Squad Tech took 3.5 hours and could not remove the entry from the Add Remove Programs list. The programs you mentioned only delete the buttons that say "change or remove" in the Add Remove Programs list, but the entry is still there. When I select uninstall with both programs I get the Windows Installer error prompt previously mentioned. When I select remove entry the "change or remove" buttons in the Add Remove programs list are deleted but the entry is still there.

I'll check out ERUNT in order to get my registry backed-up. Thank you.

I liked Revo, it gave a very deleted list of everything, I'm just deathly afraid of jacking things up more by deleting something I shouldnt (even with the registry backup).

The Windows Installer package; may I just remove that via Add Remove Programs, then reinstall direct from MS? I have no clue as to what a Windows Installer is or what it does; but I think this is the reason why the Flash Player is corrupt and unremovable.

I can not thank you enough for helping me, really. I appreciate your patience with me. Ciao! Melissa

[MelissaY]

If an entry remains in the add-remove programs list after the uninstall process, that means the related program installation keys in the registry were jacked. The Add-Remove Programs entry, though, is nothing more than a listing key at the registry location I mentioned in the earlier post. Both programs I mentioned can handle the deletion of this type of so called 'invalid' entries in the Add-Remove Programs list. Both programs have the unsintall option which uninstalls the program looking at the related registry values created by the program itself during the installation process, the other option is Delete (both programs has it as a big red X) which you can use to get rid of it from the Add-Remove Programs list. Removing it that way, however, may not resolve your problem but definitely worth a try besides you wouldn't want invalid entries on the list so it also makes sense.

Use Revo and select everything it lists after the 'Scan after Uninstall' process but I always do and advise everyone to backup their registry prior to any fiddling in the registry. Use ERUNT if you do not know how to do a complete registry backup. This free program is efficient, fast and easy to use.
After Revo, manually remove all other related files that you know of such as that .msi installer package that was previously downloaded. The package might have gotten corrupted during download or might have been so at the source. Also make sure you download it from the legit MS site.
Afterwards, try downloading the new installer package and run the installation. If any errors occur mentioning the Windows Installer, then as Snoopy suggested, downloading and installing the latest Windows Installer could help. If there are still errors, make sure you capture them word-by-format and let us know.

When I went to remove the Windows Installer 3.1 (KB893803 V2) I got a message prompt that read; Setup detected the following programs on your computer. Then there is a huge list of programs in a box. Below that the message continues; If KB893803v2 is removed these programs might not function properly. Do you want to continue?

I clicked NO because that freaked me out. The list inside the box noted everything from software pograms, security updates and hotfixes, IE7, my Personal Firewall and Antivirus protection, Windows Service Pack 2, all kinds of Windows stuff that looks kind of important.

I'm super frustrated because I dont know if I'll mess up my computer. It seems like in order to remove the corrupt Adobe ActiveX entry I have to remove something else that's corrupt, the Windows Installer, but if I remove the Windows Installer, I might be making all other programs and stuff worse;
What do I do?

Thanks. Melissa

[TurcoLoco]

Sorry, I have been re-organizing my office and computers so it was a bit crazy plus I had no connection the whole day. I am just settling in so bare with me.

To start with, it is normal for Windows to give you that warning when you try to remove (uninstall) Windows Installer but since you will be re-installing it, those programs that were listed to not work, would be alright but here is my dilemma, how did you come to conclusion that Windows Installer was the problem, I somehow missed that part and I do not remember suggesting the removal of Windows Installer?
I thought the main problem was that you couldn't play flash videos because IE would state Flash was not installed even though it already was and I mentioned that it was more than likely caused by one of the system updates and workaround would be to use Mozilla Firefox.

So, at this point, before going any further, clarify what the exact problem is. If it was indeed the Flash issue, then you shouldn't do any of the things you attempt to, more importantly re-installing Windows Installer will not resolve the issue!

[MelissaY]

Sorry, I have been re-organizing my office and computers so it was a bit crazy plus I had no connection the whole day. I am just settling in so bare with me.

To start with, it is normal for Windows to give you that warning when you try to remove (uninstall) Windows Installer but since you will be re-installing it, those programs that were listed to not work, would be alright but here is my dilemma, how did you come to conclusion that Windows Installer was the problem, I somehow missed that part and I do not remember suggesting the removal of Windows Installer?
I thought the main problem was that you couldn't play flash videos because IE would state Flash was not installed even though it already was and I mentioned that it was more than likely caused by one of the system updates and workaround would be to use Mozilla Firefox.

So, at this point, before going any further, clarify what the exact problem is. If it was indeed the Flash issue, then you shouldn't do any of the things you attempt to, more importantly re-installing Windows Installer will not resolve the issue!

Thank you again. I know you're busy and I patiently wait your reply, no problem here.

The error message I keep getting when I try to remove the entry is a Windows Installer error message prompt. The I read an MS article (ID 898628) that Windows Installer fails silently after you upgrade to Installer 3.1 which would cause any programs to fail with the corruput Windows Installer. It's like having a flat tire; the flat tire is the issue but patching the hole is really the problem.

The workaround (using Mozilla which I tried a while ago and dont like it) is allowing the entry to stay there when it shouldnt. I dont want the Flash Player entry there I want it removed. I dont want Flash Player on my computer at all, I want to remove it completely. Flash Player is what I've been using; it stopped working on MySpace Videos, then MSN NEWS Videos, then Youtube Videos. Finally, I'm saying eff-it, take it all out and now I cant.

GeekSquad tried to re-download Flashplayer 9 and the same Windows Installer error prompt comes up when trying to remove the old version entry. I'm as clueless as the professional at Geek Squad, really at this point, this one little entry cant be so corrupt that no one can remove it; the bigger issue is somewhere behind it. No?

Thanks again, looking forward to your reply.
Ciao! Melissa

[MelissaY]

The second GeekSquad tech was able to resolve the issue. Thank you for the replies, time and consideration. The issue seems to have been all the residual Adobe registry entries that were left over and needed to be deleted. I could not have done it myself, I would have effed it up. Once the broken registry entries were removed, the listing was easily removed. THANK YOU!

[TurcoLoco]

It did sound like registry left-overs but as confident as I am, I am hesitant to walk someone who is not that savvy through the process of registry cleanup which could very easily bork the system despite my best efforts.

Well, bottomline, I am glad you found a tech who was able to resolve the problem. Thank you for the feedback as well.