Adobe flash player and pdf reader installation on Win8

11 years ago

I have a new Win 8 touch screen laptop. I've been using both Internet Explorer and Firefox. No matter which browser I use, I haven't been able to install the Adobe flash and pdf readers (the free download ones) , so when I browse sites many of the boxes that contain videos or other information just appear blank, or have notations inside that say I have to install Adobe flash.

I called Adobe and found they do not offer any sort of support at all. So no luck there. I called Microsoft and got the same story. I've called Lenovo and got the same response...

When I try installing everything seems to download correctly, I can see the install files in the download folder, etc. I click to install and it goes through it's paces, then afterwards it's like nothing installed, and I get the same messages as if I hadn't already tried to install it.

This is happening on a virtually new laptop. The only thing I've installed since new is Firefox. So there shouldn't be any program conflicts happening. I'm very frustrated as I don't think I should have to spend hours figuring this out on a brand new laptop. It's not worth anyone's time to have to go through this...

Any advice on how to get Adobe installed and working? This is just one more in a long list of Win8 laptops I've given up on and either sent to the landfill or given away because of problems like this. Any help would be appreciated.

Featured Answer

mikie_gw

11 years ago

Flash is built in Internet Explorer, its updated by windows updates automatically - you can not manually update flash player anymore in IE.

New windows 8.1 has a built in reader that reads PDF fine. You normally wouldn't need adobe reader.

New windows has built in Defender... you don't need a 3rd party anti-virus.

I use IE, there are some video's that don't show up and I can usually simply click the round blue circle with the hash thru it, in the address bar - to allow blocked content. Usually those are video's hosted on another server or website rather than the website the webpage is on.

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Comments (8)

aputernut
11 years ago
I have 2 PC's with W8.1 and I use Adobe Reader and Flash and Java, no problem downloading either one?? what AV do you use? Norton is a problem often will block downloads, it takes over your PC, one good reason to be rid of it ASAP then download a good Free one. like AVG2015 or AVAST
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Bejay I can understand your reluctance to install things but there are precautions you can take to protect yourself. One is coming to places like this forum. Remember if I deliberately gave you false information others would immediately jump in and tell you not to take any notice of my suggestion. This is a huge built in safety factor for anyone who frequents these types of forums. Second. Download from reputable sites. Of course you do not know all of them but filehippo.com - download.com - pcworld.com - tucows.com are a few to start your list of safe sites to visit. Others will add more I suspect. Third. Google your choice and see what comments are out there. Look for the first 4 or 5 pages to see if they all heavily promote the program. If so probably best to stay away because those places get paid for each download and have little interest in whether the program is good, bad or indifferent. Look instead for reviews. Fourth. Learn how to create a Restore point. Then before any install create that Restore point so that if you are not happy with your new program you can simply restore to the point prior to the install.
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Obviously...whatever is going on...it's not simple. As you didn't post what system you have...any pertinent facts about it...what version of Windows you're running...what anti malware/anti virus programs you're running...I'm really at a loss what to advise you at this point, Shaddy. Actually...my best advice would be to send you to a computer repair shop that you know and trust. Recommendations are difficult because I know nothing about your geographic location. I live in the northeast and wouldn't hesitate to use the local Staples computer repair service if my private source was no longer available...or if I couldn't root out and correct the problem myself. But beyond that...I'm of little help. The fact that all your PDF files are now zipped is a concern. I do hope that you have backed up your files...have them stored in a secondary location. The corrective answer to your systems problem may be simple. You could have a series of unrelated small glitches that together are causing a major issue but it's nearly impossible to discover it or them and/or help with it given the information known so far...and not being able to have a hands-on approach. I could recommend that you do a clean install of whatever Windows [or other] program you're using...if you have the original program disk...but in doing so, you'll lose all your files. If you've backed them up prior to this...you can always add them back into your system once you've done the re-installation. I'm sorry, Shaddy...but I suggest the best approach now is to seek hands on professional assistance if you don't want to re-install your system.
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DA_Mccoy
11 years ago
Mikie is correct as to IE Flash.

As to non-IE Flash be sure you are using FF when trying to do so. To make the download and install the easiest go to Adobe.com. On the lower right corner off the homepage amongst others you will see an offering for Flash Player. Click on it. In the appearing window uncheck the optional offer for McAfee Security Scan Plus. Finally, click on Install Now. I have V8/8.1 and this works every time.

DA
aputernut
11 years ago
I would never put 100% faith in defender, it never proved worthy to me, I will stick with either AVG2015 Free or Avast after install defender will turn off. And my Adobe Flash has updated on my W8.1's and I still like Adobe Reader.
hald
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks for the responses and help. I am not using antivirus and removed the the antivirus before my Adobe problems. I checked/installed updates to Windows and IE. I went to Adobe.com and installed/reinstalled.
This morning the issues seem partly fixed. When I am on a web page, such as Yahoo, whether in IE or FF, some of the boxes display and some don't. If I go to a web page page, like Yahoo's tech page, that has mostly boxes that have videos in them, I see the text in the boxes but they are otherwise blank. If I click on the box a video then starts playing.
I know this isn't how it's supposed to work, but it's better than it was yesterday. Maybe if I wait till the next Adobe or Windows update it will sort itself out?
Thanks for the suggestions. If you think of anything please let me know. I think I will put this laptop away for a week or two and use my Win7 laptop instead. I'll check on updates the next time I get it out and hope for the best.
hald
Original Author
11 years ago
I want to add - whatever is going on with this laptop is weird. Right after my last post I went to sfgate.com, which is the portal for the San Francisco Chronicle. The page displays the banner and navigation bar across the top, and the latest news section that runs down the right side of the page. Everything else on the page is blank. Weird...
DA_Mccoy
11 years ago
If you have the FF add-on AdBlockPlus disable it and try the site again.

Also, a new version of non-IE Flash Player, v16.0.0.305, was released today.

DA

This post was edited by damccoy on Thu, Feb 5, 15 at 18:18
haldd
11 years ago
Today's news on Yahoo Tech has several articles saying Lenovo preinstalled malware on several models of laptops it sells. I am all but certain the issues I was having is due to the malware. I called Lenovo this morning, and the Tech I spoke with claimed they know nothing about the malware. I told him to read the articles online and to give a message to Lenovo upper management that they should all be fired because they ripped me off for $1500 for a laptop they delivered infested with malware...I won't be buying a Lenovo product for a very long time after this.
The articles on Yahoo contain lists of Lenovo laptops that are infected...

Adobe flash player and pdf reader installation on Win8

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