I tried installing Adobe FlashPlayer 11.5 and it keeps crashing and won't install. Time-out.

You need Adobe Flash to play videos in a web browser. Don't uninstall Shockwave though, there are still a few things that use it.

Windows Media player is for playing videos outside of a web browser. Unless they have changed things since I last used Windows, it isn't bundled with web plug-ins. Those should have come with your browser. Try running Windows Updates and see if it helps.

That's my problem. Flash Player won't install. I hate computers.

Are you trying to install it directly from the Adobe website or just doing it when a video or something wants it? And, what happens when you try to install it?

Also, something I should have should have thought to ask before... Are you working with a new computer that never had the plug-ins, or did videos suddenly stop playing in web browsers?

not all videos use flash most are trying to move away from flash and use newer technology, most you tube videos are no longer flash.
What is the program that might help determine what is causing the problem.

MY favorite player since you mentioned windows media player is the free VLC player it plays pretty much anything you can throw at it. I have it on all of my computers including linux. It will put a plug in into your firefox plugins so you might try it.
VLC

I honestly don't remember if I used to be able to watch videos before or not with FF. Chrome is my main browser and they work perfectly there.

I downloaded the VLC Raven, but the videos still down't work. Do I have to do something? As an example the videos on Yahoo news don't work,(just a black screen) nor do my tv online site that I use. With FF it wants me to download them, but I never download, I just watch/stream the shows. Regardless, the shows don't work, anyway. Just a black screen.

I have Java 6 disabled, if that makes a difference, why they don't work.

This post was edited by jasdip on Sun, Jan 27, 13 at 15:55

if you have java 6 you are seriously out of date and at risk. if you are going to keep java on the PC it is essential that you get the latest version directly from adobe, 7.11 earlier versions must be removed, this is very serious. And a warning, there's currently malware masqueradeing as a java update which is why only get the update from adobe or by going info control panel, java, update tab update now. Then check to make sure all older versions are removed, in your browser plugin as well as in you add remove programs area.
This java security issue is the most dangerous right now.
I urge you to do this asap.
Then only turn on and use java on a site by site basis and only if you absolutely trust the site.

The site that I must use Java on, only works with Java 6. That's why I kept it on my computer.

I sure would not risk that. I would contact them and ask them to update their site to the latest technology, they will lose visitors if they keep that up and it will make that site extremely dangerous because that means they are not keeping the site updated either so it is open to the new hacker kits.
How important is that site? Is there somewhere else that can be used in place of it.
In fact firefox will block the use of older versions now.
Be sure you are using the latest version of firefox too they just updated to 18.1 I believe.