Adobe Forums: So you Cannot Install Flash Player(Failed to Register ):Solution

badprogrammerCommunity Member

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So you Cannot Install Flash Player(Failed to Register ):Solution

Aug 31, 2009 10:49 PM

Hi to everybody

Today i had a rather nasty encounter with the dreaded error "cannot register" blah blah

It was an ordinary Flash Player update But it went BAD

So now what.

I went to the infamous 19166 page

I read the instructions

I downloaded the unistaller

I run the uninstaller-cleaner.....gues what ZERO

I searched more.....

I found the Reset ACL ....yupi this is the source for all my problems.

I downloaded ...i run it ....guess again.....ZERO

I still can install Flash player

I tried restarting the machine numerous times,cleaning the flash directory,cleaning the flash player directories in application but the result was a big FAT ZERO.

I know there are solutions:

1. Format the machine by yourself (this was the cure for another machine a couple months ago...luckily i am a PC Technician so no problem but restoring everything back it time consuming)

2. Contact a technician as i read somewhere and probably pay him to *again* reformat the machine or make a complete the restore

BUT fear not here is the solution

All you need is a wonderfull little utility called Regmon http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896652.aspx

and the offline Flash Player Installer (google it i cannot find right now)

Close everything that is running (it is not essential but it will help)

Run the program.

Now you have a very fast scrolling window that shows every activity...it is really fast but don't worry leave it working

Run the offline installer

It should try to register the Flash10c.ocx but (ofcourse) it won't and pop the error message

Fear not we are going to beat the damned thing

Close the installer

Remember the Regmon utility that is gather every activity.

It has a little button called "stop autoscroll" ....click it

Also it has a filter option somewhere

Go to the filter options and choose to show only the activities related to Flash installer...i put "Flash_installer"

Scroll down to the list and sometime you will see the region regarding the Flash Installer activity....it should be marked RED

Scroll down this area untill you will see in the columns "RESULT" the First "ACCESS DENIED" it points to a path of a registry folder this the source of all your problems ***

Fire up regedt32 (not regedit)

Find the folder in the registry ( in my case it was something like {CD@7xxxx} ....right click it give full permission to every user group you find and close regedt32

Rerun the Installer

YES it registers

Go to a flash site ....oops it asks again for flash installation ( at least it did in my case) no problem go through the online installation

and YES IT WORKS!!!!!!

After a good 2.5 hours i had again Flash.....

P.S i know it is not a very good guide but when i have time to make my web site i will have a complete guide with photos and everything.

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LittleHelp,

Sep 1, 2009 7:06 PM

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This worked for me. Took some work though.
First I had to figure out how to take ownership of the flash registry items as I could not change their permissions even though I was an administrator. In the registry editor, click on permissions, then click Advanced, pick the Ownership tab, and then select your user. Then I could add permissions.

I went through numerous iterations as the registry value showing "Access Denied" would change after each correction. At one point I noticed there were 10 different flash registry entries, each labeled with a 1-10 follower, so I changed each of their permissions before trying the install again. The RegMon program has a registry edit icon in the top right corner that I clicked on after selecting the item which was "Access Denied". The program took me right to the item for editing.

Link referred to in previous thread for the offline flash player.
http://www.adobe.com/support/flashplayer/ts/documents/tn_19166/Install _Flash_Player_10_ActiveX.zip

Thanks badprogrammer! I now know more than I want to about editing registries! All as a result of wanting my yahoo stock chart to be interactive. :-)

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badprogrammer,

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Sep 1, 2009 10:43 PM

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Glad i could help you.

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CSBruck,

Sep 2, 2009 1:08 PM

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Yes, this solution works. Found several other threads attempting to fix this, only this one worked for me.

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badprogrammer,

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Sep 2, 2009 10:44 PM

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Hehe when i fixed mine i just knew it that this was the SOLUTION.Glad i could help.

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Iluvmykidz,

Sep 3, 2009 2:17 PM

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i have tried to do this but when i install the offline flash and it says complete. I found it in system 32 but nothing changed. I am still being asked to install and I am still getting the first error. Icould not use regmon because it would not work on my vista but I was referred to something called Procomon. I don't know if this helps but when it is running i don't see anything that says failed. any other suggestions.

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badprogrammer,

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Sep 5, 2009 1:46 PM

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For Vista you should work with Process Monitor
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896645.aspx

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badprogrammer,

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Sep 6, 2009 8:09 AM

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It seems that i cannot edit my 1st post so i post here,
If my solution works for you reply to this thread so that it won't be "burried" and the people who have this problem find a solution easy

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eidnolb,

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Sep 6, 2009 11:17 PM

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Did you miss BWolfe Adobe employee post of 9/4/09 with subject "TECHNOTE ANNOUNCEMENT?" Adobe is well aware of the problems
and are working on it. BWolfe has important information listed there; there are two separate issues, Please read this latest TECHNOTE
ANNOUNCEMENT. Thanks.

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badprogrammer,

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Sep 7, 2009 5:41 AM

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I don't know if you are replying to me but the TECHNOTE at least to my eyes is a different case.At least thankfully i haven't encounter it.

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midnightmoonwolf57,

Sep 13, 2009 5:50 PM

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Hi.. I had Adobe Flash Player 10..it was accidentally deleted and have not been able to re-install...I have been trying everything that has been suggested in here to no avail as yet...Unfortunately ..it is beginning to become too technical for me and I dont know what to do...is there any chance you could please help me understand step by step what I need to do to reinstall the flash player?? I would so appreciate it..It is beginning to drive me nuts as I have spent the last 4 days on this and I am beside myself with frustration....I have contacted adobe support but get no reply...I need some help as I really need to get the flash player back, up and running....thankyou..pls keep reply bullet point, simple step by step for computer dummies such as myself...tytyty....

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badprogrammer,

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Sep 14, 2009 11:41 AM

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Right now it is a bit difficult to make a dummies guide.
I know my guide is a bit difficult but it is not so hard.
At first gather the required tools (Regmon or Processmon),the regedt32 is already in your window system.
Run the program
Scroll up and down.Go to the menus.
Find the button that stops the scrolling(helpfull)
Find the Filter menu.Try to make a filter.Look at the help file
Run the offline installer.Run the monitor program.Find the entries
Go to registry.edit the permissions ....everything OK
If you still find all this too hard untill the end of the week i have my hands full.
Hopefully if there is some more demand i will make a"visual" guide.....but if you don't do the basics it won't do any good.

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tjgj3,

Sep 16, 2009 7:53 AM

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thanks for trying, but i do not get any flash activityin the regmon program. several other suggestions in the forum did not work either, i did all updates available, but sp3 will not install. some of the other suggestions i came across are too technical for me. but i don't give up easily so i will continue. just to note, i went back to firefox and it installs with no problem! However not all sits support firefox, and explorer still won't install

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badprogrammer,

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Sep 16, 2009 10:58 PM

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Well this is weird.
Maybe you should a simpler way (?)
Try this
Let the Regmon Running....ok....but nothing else is running
Hit the Flash Offline Installer and just let it do its effort to install
It will stop saying "It cannot register" bla blah.
Go to Regmon.
Hit the Save Button...it is just a big .txt File
Open it with notepad ( or whatever you have)
Search for "install_flash"
If it finds it then u scrolled too fast and and you missed it

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badprogrammer,

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Sep 17, 2009 4:17 AM

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Because some people find it hard to use the Filter of Regmon here is my filter( This is what i used in order to get the area that referes to Flash Player HighLighted).........WELL i must admit there was an error on the filter i used ; the correct word for filter is "install_flash"....sorry

Attachments:

Filter.jpg (40.6 K)

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tjgj3,

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Sep 17, 2009 2:04 PM

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thanks i found the correct filtered items and corrected registry, I think, but still no go . No time today, but i will persevere

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cb1rb1,

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Oct 3, 2009 5:24 PM

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10-3-09

For what it is worth I had exactly the same problem - "failed to register". After searching the web and trying to get Adobe support (what a hopeless and frustrating task that was) I found this post. I followed it to the letter and 'bingo' it worked. You folks are geniuses.

My experiences if I may. When I tried to download Regmon I was directed to Process Monitor. I downloaded it and it worked fine. I was able to find the registers to audit by doing a control F and searching for 'denied'. I ran rededt32 and changed the permissions as instructed. However, after changing all the permissions and running Process Monitor I got what looked like the same error! It was the same except CLSID was at the end of the string. I had to expand the register entry and change the CLSID permissions as well.

Changing all the permissions took close to an hour but it was worth it.

Thanks again.

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ken_murali1,

Oct 7, 2009 12:05 AM

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good solution, worked great, thanx

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midnightmoonwolf57,

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Oct 7, 2009 1:54 AM

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No worries Ken, thanks for letting me know...I stumbled across the solution and I regard myself pretty much computer illiterate!! Sometimes the simple things really are the best...cheers..Wolf

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matteast,

Oct 8, 2009 12:41 AM

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Hello from Australia.
I'm having the same problems as described below.
I've gone right through all of the steps BadProgrammer has stated below.
But I'm stuck on this one: "Fire up regedt32 (not regedit)"
What does this mean?
Also, I can't find where to change permissions on the registry on procmon.
I couldn't get the Regmon.
If you could help me out that'd be great.
Cheers

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ken_murali1,

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Oct 8, 2009 1:57 AM

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Fire up regedt32 means go to Start --> run --> type regedt32 --> OK, by this regedt32 will load the registry editor similar to regedit. U need to use Regmon to check the flash installer access to registry, this is the reason why u need to run regmon before starting the flash plugin installation. when the installation fails as usual, the regmon will have the log of for which registry strings the access is denied. u need to locate those strings in regedt32 window, (may be u r missing here) inside the registry editor window locate those strings --> right click on that --> permissions then enable the permissions for your id. get back for further assistance

have added regmon with this post

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Pat Willener,

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Oct 8, 2009 2:56 AM

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matteast wrote:

But I'm stuck on this one: "Fire up regedt32 (not regedit)"
What does this mean?

I don't think there is any difference - regedit will execute regedt32 on 32bit systems. (Regedit was originally a 16bit app.)

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ken_murali1,

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Oct 8, 2009 3:14 AM

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not able to upload regmon, google for sysinternals regmon

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Pat Willener,

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Oct 8, 2009 3:49 AM

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Regmon is no longer available on the Sysinternals site; try alternate download sites such as Download.com, Majorgeeks.com, or Filehippo.com

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midnightmoonwolf57,

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Oct 8, 2009 6:06 AM

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Ken, thankyou so much..still sounds like double dutch but will follow your clear instructions and see how we go..thanks again..cheers...Wolf

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badprogrammer,

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Oct 8, 2009 11:46 PM

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Well some clarifications
Regedt32 vs Regedit
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/141377/en-us

Regmon was retired 1st Sep 2009 thats why u have trouble finding it but Process Monitor does the job equally well

When u find MY SOLUTION helpfull reply in order for others to know its working and keep it hign on the forums.

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midnightmoonwolf57,

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Oct 9, 2009 2:12 AM

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THANKS BADPROGRAMMER...MUCH APPRECIATED..

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kazg71,

Oct 12, 2009 2:19 AM

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Hey!!
thanks for your solution..but im having trouble with the registry bit!! any chance you can put up some screen shots???ive gotten up to the part where you find the error through regmon (well not that one..another one!) but as far as changing the permission....NO IDEA!!!
thanks again
Kaz

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badprogrammer,

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Oct 12, 2009 3:20 AM

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Well i can't remember whicj key was but the procedure is the same
Fire up regedt32
Lets say that u want to change permissions for the folder Flash 10
Right Click permissions
You press add
You write "everyone"
You press OK
You assign "Full Control"
Press Ok
That's all
I hope it is clear now and works
If someone would send me the log files from Regmon maybe i could make a better guide....if i have time.....
Well there is restriction for 3 files so follow the next post

Attachments:

P2.jpg (20.1 K)

p3.jpg (30.9 K)

P1.jpg (19.7 K)

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badprogrammer,

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Oct 12, 2009 3:20 AM

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Continued fro mthe above

Attachments:

p4.jpg (22.4 K)

p5.jpg (31.9 K)

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tjgj3,

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Oct 12, 2009 1:22 PM

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To all and anyone. I had trouble with flash player. I tried several of the suggestions, including the regmon program to find the install errors. I found the errors, and corrected them ( I think) No Luck. I tried to update to explorer 8, would not install. Tried to install service pac 3 for XP. would not install. After the second try It told me I was missing windows installer files. Thereafter microsoft site had me in a loop. . downloaded and installed missing files, sent me back to updater, told me i didn't have windows installer files. I worked with windows programmer (through e-mail. including links to installer files, and sending files and screenshots of error messages.
They sent me to a systems person.
At this point I was pretty sure how I would solve this, so I made sure I removed anything I wanted on the computer. At this point windows was definitely not working properly, because I had trouble sending files to CD or memory stick. Luckily I uploaded all photos to Kodak Gallery so I would not lose those I still had on My computer.
At this point the systems person sent me a separate link to download another version of the installer files, and wanted me to install it in safe mode. Well the computer froze upon installation, and would not reboot.
To make a long story short , I ended up reinstalling My system disc from Dell, Including replacing Windows XP. Dell was great and helped me install several drivers I needed.
It's like I have a new computer again.
I DO NOT KNOW IF THIS WAS CAUSED BY SOMETHING I DID IN TRYING TO REPAIR THE INSTALL OF FLASH OR POSSIBLY THE FAILURE OF THE SERVICE PAC 3. MAKE SURE YOU BACK UP IMPORTANT STUFF ELSEWHERE IN CASE THIS HAPPENS TO YOU.
PS
PS. AFTER REINSTALLING WINDOWS, ALL UPDATES INSTALLED WITHOUT ANY PROBLEM. AND FLASH PLAYER WORKS GREAT.
THIS IS AN EXTREME MEASURE, BUT MAY BE THE ONE FOR YOU!
THANKS
TJGJ3

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midnightmoonwolf57,

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Oct 12, 2009 7:31 PM

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Hi Kaz, you would be better off asking baprogrammer as I have no idea...I am pretty computer illierate but stumbled across the google chrome solution...Im sorry, I cant tell you anything else...cheers..Wolf

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midnightmoonwolf57,

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Oct 12, 2009 7:32 PM

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thanks mate..badprogrammers guide for dummies is up and running....cheers

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TucuTar,

Nov 20, 2009 3:26 PM

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Muchas gracias!!! Funciona.
No solo me solucionó el problema de Flash Player, sino tambien de otros similares.

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Don550,

Feb 18, 2010 1:44 PM

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BadProgrammer,

You solutions totally worked for me... I have flash once again!

Just for a recap:

The Problem I was having was that when the Flash Installer went install the OCX if would fail...Here's my steps to fix the issue:

I downloaded the Process Monitor from Sysinternals
Started Process Monitor
Started the Flash Installer (It failed)
Closed the Flash Installer
Did a search for Access Denied in Process Manager
Chose the First Acces Denied error for Flash
Right Click on the error and choose properties
Took note of the Registry location for the error
Opened the registry editor and found the specific registry key
Right Clicked on the registry key and select permissions
Gave full permissions to the Adminstrators Group
Reran Flash installer and Successfully installed Flash

Hope the steps help the next person in line get past the Install

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