No audio in 32-bit version of Flash Player, but 64-bit version works fine?

Question

Hello,
I have a story similar to the one posted here: http://forums.adobe.com/message/4274606#4274606.  The main difference with my issue is that, since it began last summer, it has never worked.  I have no audio when running Flash-based content in any 32-bit browser (IE9, Firefox, Chrome, Safari).  I typically use YouTube as my testbed.  If I am simply using programs on my computer or if I use the 64-bit version of IE9 to access YouTube, I can hear audio without a problem.  Another site that gives me the same problem in 32-bit browsers, but works fine in the 64-bit version of IE9, is Amazon's Cloud Player for Web.  My son also plays games using Steam, many of which are Flash-based, and he sees significant performance issues when playing these.
I've been all over the web and tried just about everything I've been able to find that sounds viable and legitimate.  I tried the solution identified as "the answer" to the issue in the link above but when I perform step 4, attempting to delete files and folders in C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash, I am unable to delete the file "Flash10w.ocx".  I have tried several times in the past to delete this file and have never been able to.  I have Malware Bytes Pro with FileAssassin, which is supposed to delete unwanted files during a reboot and it isn't even able to kill this file.
Does anyone have any ideas?  I am very suspicious of the "Flash10w.ocx" file and wonder if it is malware masquerading as a legitimate file.
Thanks in advance,
Tim

Answer 1

Try a clean install of Flash Player, as follows:
Download the current 64 bit uninstallerUninstaller for 64 bit Operating Systems
Close all browser windows and run the uninstaller
Restart Windows
Delete all remaining files and folders located in the following directories.  (tip: copy and paste these paths into the path bar in an Explorer window)
C:\Windows\system32\Macromed\Flash
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash *
%appdata%\Adobe\Flash Player
%appdata%\Macromedia\Flash Player
Verify that the file “FlashPlayerCPLApp.cpl” in C:\Window\system32\ for 32 bit systems or C:\Windows\SysWOW64\ if you are using a 64 bit system, has been deleted.
Download
the 64-bit installer for Internet Explorer
the 64-bit installer for other browsers
close all browser windows, then run the downloaded installers
*) If you are still unable to delete that old OCX file, try Unlocker to remove that file.