Solution? CS 3/Windows 7- 64 bit installation problem

Question

I found an answer for at least one of the MAJOR issues installing CS3 on Windows 7-64 bit ...
The problem: CS3 installation goes smoothly, but when trying to open Photoshop, you get a blank Photoshop window and an endlessly spinning curser. Also, no other programs will open, yet if you check the program files, they seem complete. You may even discover that one of the non-working programs is actually open (but not accessible to you) somewhere in the depths of your computer. An error message may eventually appear (if you are lucky), which reads something to the effect: "You cannot use this product at this time. You must repair this product by uninstalling and then reinstalling this product or contact your IT Administrator or Adobe Customer Support for help."
Check this link for the solution, which worked for me after four weeks of frustration and three Adobe problem tickets that were declared closed without resolution of this problem:
http://www.megaleecher.net/Flexnet_Licensing_Service
Short form is that the Flexnet licensing feature for Windows 7 is not set properly and prevents CS3 from registration/activation. It must read "start" and "automatic" - not "stop" and/or "manual." You get to Flexnet Licensing as follows: Start Menu>Run> (type in) services.msc>enter
Then double click FlexnetLic in the menu, change the Stop to Start (by clicking on the word) and the Manual to Automatic. Click save. Restart computer and launch any CS3 program. This should bring up the rest of the installation process beginnning where you enter your serial number(s). From that time on, for me, everything was operational and still is (Whoopee!!!!!!)
Side Note to Adobe: When I first encountered this problem FOUR weeks ago, I talked three different times with Technical Assistance personnel. The second of these three could have solved the problem - he had the right information, as I can now see. The problem: I could NOT understand his English. His accent was very heavy and the phone connection was terrible. He struggled as I did with such simple things as the word "start" where he had to literally spell it out four times before I understood what he was saying. We eventually got to the Flexnet screen and possibly could have solved the issue right then. But the communication process was so labored that it didn't work. I'm guessing now that a step was missed somewhere, because now all is okey dokey, after using the information in the above link.

Answer 1

Pat, thank you for your very prompt response.
Regarding my FLF files I will try the VLC Media Player as you suggested, thank you.
Now regarding the Flash Player being a browser add on in my IE, I checked through Tools / Manage add-ons / All Add-ons and it displays only Adobe Shockwave Object from the Adobe range of products. Adobe Flash Player is not an Add-on in my system.
By uninstalling it (when I was trying to install a standalone product), did I delete this Add-on from the available Add-ons from my IE?
And if I did that, how do I reinstate it? (As you said a standalone Flash Player would have its limitations).
I would appreciate your advice.