Why does't Flashplayer work after I agreed to an update from an Adobe pop-up box prompt?

Question

I had problems last year when Flashplayer stopped working suddenly.  After months of seeking help, I received instructions that fixed the problem...until the other day.  A pop-up box from Adobe appeared indicating an update was available.  I agreed to installing the update and the Flashplayer has not worked since.  I referred to my notes from the "fix" last year and made one adjustment in the Active-X settings, but this did not help.  Flashplayer still does not work.  Help!  I just don't think I can go through this for several months again.

Answer 1

Hi,
I am going to try reorganizing my reply first and
just forwarding to you before I try to recover a
message.  I think the problem may be that I
provided answers within your text instead of
separately.  Your system may not like the format
I tried.  So here goes....  I have pulled my
answers out of your message and they appear in
the order of your inquiries below.
“Check the Windows system tray carefully to make
certain no applications are still in memory which
might possibly use Flash Player.” –a statement
from the Adobe Un-install link article.  I don't
know what “in memory” means.  The only things I
have that may use Flashplayer that I know of is
the Weather Bug.  Windows Mediaplayer is also
listed in my programs, but I have never used it.
Also, there is no mention of Norton here, but
Norton Internet Security ’09 is what I have installed.
1. No Firefox.  MSN Exlorer is listed among my
Programs, but I have never used it.  It was
likely installed by Dell when I purchased the computer.
2. Norton Internet Security '09.  Bell Internet
Security - Alert is listed in my programs (with
options, including uninstall) but this is the first time I have noticed it.
3. Norton Internet Security has a firewall with
it that I understand is way better than Windows.
4. There is a Google toolbar, Norton toolbar and
a bunch of stuff listed in the Manage Add-ons
like Skype, Adobe and Sun Java Console which I think are add-ons.
Java Webstart is listed under Accessories in
Programs.  In Programs is Adobe Distiller 6.0,
Adobe Acrobat 6.0 Standard, Adobe (which is
empty), Adobe.com and Adobe Reader 9.  I did not find DLM or GetPlus.
I found no listing for Shockwave Flash
Object.  You did not ask this and I don't mean to
get ahead of you but in case there is relevance,
I looked in Internet Options, Security, Custom
and saw a number of reference to Active X and
plug-ins, some of which are disabled; others enabled.
From reading in your posts to mlmarg, I saw the
instructions for finding the Flash folder and
used them.  I used Explorer to access My
Computer,, C Drive, Folder 1386, Folder System
32.  There are 2 items in it from 2002 but not
what I think you want.  The 2 are SMSS.EXE and
NTDLL.DLL.  If this is not correct, I will need your instructions to locate it.
  I will ask because I don't always understand
what you are asking of  me.  Thanks.
>Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 14:23:36 -0500
>To: [email protected]
>Subject: Re: Flash Player Why does't
>Flashplayer work after I agreed to an update from an Adobe pop-up box prompt?
>
>Hi,
>My comments are within your text below.  Let me
>know what I missed or misunderstood.