Can't install adobe flash/reader

['putertutor]

I've got an issue with a computer and Adobe that I can't seem to figure out. Its a win7 64bit. After doing some basic malware removal I am attempting to reinstall Adobe flash and reader. Neither will install. I get the adobe install window, but it is blank inside and the install never starts.

Adobe shockwave installs, but not flash or reader, no matter the browser or installation file - I tried downloading the install file on another computer and transferring that to the problem one - same issue. Running that in reverse (downloading on the problem machine and transferring to good machine) that install works just fine. There is something blocking the install on my customer's pc and I can't seem to find it.

Not sure where to go here...

 

[mr m]

Can you install other applications like CCleaner or Malwarebytes? How about MS updates? I'm guessing they will all fail.

Try running tweaking's tool. The malware you removed probably screwed with Win 7.

 

[mr m]

I just reread your post and see that Shockwave installed. Try tweaking's tool anyway.

 

[NYJimbo]

Agree with above, make sure other programs can install.

Few thoughts:

Make sure no flash exists in installed programs.

run ccleaner -> registry clean, exit, run again, keep doing until nothing left to purge

Check for old folders (program files, programfiles86, program data) and delete all

reset IE via control panel (reset and then restore), then restart IE to let it come up and say "You got Internet explorer" or whatever it does when you first install then exit IE

check to be sure you are not in "selective startup", I see tons of machines coming in MSCONFIG in that startup mode and you can install some programs but not others.

check to see if windows defender can be started and updated.

that's it for now, gotta get to the beer distributor before the sun sets....

 

[frase]

Download Revo Uninstaller
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/revo_uninstaller.html

Uninstall all references to Adobe Flash

Resart

Install via
Goto actual adobe website http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/ - uncheck mcafee crap

Just curious have you installed .net 4.5 and updated Java as well? The later might be the issue as Java is not installed or version is out of date.

 

[TechPJC]

Did you use the Adobe Flash Player Uninstaller ?

http://download.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/support/uninstall_flash_player.exe

 

['putertutor]

Did you use the Adobe Flash Player Uninstaller ?

http://download.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/support/uninstall_flash_player.exe

No. I used geek uninstaller. I will go back in with their uninstaller and see if it does anything after I already uninstalled. Normally geek and revo catch everything, but maybe not this time.

Download Revo Uninstaller
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/revo_uninstaller.html

Uninstall all references to Adobe Flash

Resart

Install via
Goto actual adobe website http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/ - uncheck mcafee crap

Just curious have you installed .net 4.5 and updated Java as well? The later might be the issue as Java is not installed or version is out of date.

My standard process is to uninstall all adobe's and java, then reinstall. I normally use revo for that, but I am starting to like geek better, and that is what I used here. I always install adobe and java from their sites to make sure it is the latest, etc etc. After the problems popped up I tried different means, but always downloading from adobe.

Agree with above, make sure other programs can install.

Few thoughts:

Make sure no flash exists in installed programs.

run ccleaner -> registry clean, exit, run again, keep doing until nothing left to purge

Check for old folders (program files, programfiles86, program data) and delete all

reset IE via control panel (reset and then restore), then restart IE to let it come up and say "You got Internet explorer" or whatever it does when you first install then exit IE

check to be sure you are not in "selective startup", I see tons of machines coming in MSCONFIG in that startup mode and you can install some programs but not others.

check to see if windows defender can be started and updated.

that's it for now, gotta get to the beer distributor before the sun sets....

Hadn't thought about a selective startup issue, I'll check it out (+1). I've tried the install from ie, firefox, and chrome, all with the same issues, so I don't think anything in ie is the culprit. Also, other programs can and do install with no issues.

 

['putertutor]

So, I've run all the uninstallers (flash uninstaller, geek, manual scrubbing), cleaned out the registry, reset or reinstalled all the browsers, even ran a restore, and still no luck with this. All I ever get is a blank install window. Thinking a N&P is next

I'll do another round of malware removal, but I'm not holding my breath on that one.

 

[Slaters Kustum Machines]

Did you run the Tweaking all in one repair tool? It has worked wonders for me and if you're look at a N&P anyway what's there to lose?

 

[computergeek]

Have you tried using the full installer rather than the net installer?

 

[NYJimbo]

I may have missed it above, but create another account with admin rights, REBOOT the machine and then go into that account and see if you can do it.

Also blow out all the logs, reboot and let it sit for 10 minutes and then go back through the system, application and setup logs and look for anything weird, even if it doesn't seem related to the problem.

Check drivers for bangs or anything weird, especially hidden ones, yeah I know, but its just one more thing to try.

I really hate when you are so close to being done and then something stupid like this causes you to do a N&P. I had something similar with Java on a machine a while back and the customer needed Java. NOTHING I did fixed it. I even asked the customer if I could keep it for a few days just so I could leave it on during the day and just do drive-by repair ideas when I had time.

Ended up doing a N&P. Wasted so much time, but I guess once in a while its going to happen. I wish computers were more like cars, you replace something and its fixed.

 

['putertutor]

I may have missed it above, but create another account with admin rights, REBOOT the machine and then go into that account and see if you can do it.

Also blow out all the logs, reboot and let it sit for 10 minutes and then go back through the system, application and setup logs and look for anything weird, even if it doesn't seem related to the problem.

Check drivers for bangs or anything weird, especially hidden ones, yeah I know, but its just one more thing to try.

I really hate when you are so close to being done and then something stupid like this causes you to do a N&P. I had something similar with Java on a machine a while back and the customer needed Java. NOTHING I did fixed it. I even asked the customer if I could keep it for a few days just so I could leave it on during the day and just do drive-by repair ideas when I had time.

Ended up doing a N&P. Wasted so much time, but I guess once in a while its going to happen. I wish computers were more like cars, you replace something and its fixed.

Yeah, I hate N&Ps, so I'm willing to swing a dead cat over my head if I think it might work. Customer's out of town until Tuesday, so I've got a little time to find some cats.

 

[katz]

As Jimbo mentioned - create another account...although I suspect this is a system wide thing. Did you run autoruns and look for anything out of the ordinary going on?

I remember having this exact issue a year or more ago with a Win 7 PC. I seem to recall right clicking on the file and running as administrator to get adobe installed. Going from fuzzy memory here, but I'm almost positive that is how I did it. I may have disabled the AV/Firewall at that time too.

 

['putertutor]

Holy crap!! So I created a new account, and thought that buttoned things up, I was able to install reader and flash, no issues. Then, for kicks and giggles I tried to run another install of reader, same problem, hung at the install window. The first install after creating the new account asked for os, and language. All installs after that knew the os and language preferences. Nothing out of the ordinary in autoruns and nothing else off that I can find anywhere.

Reader and flash work, but simply can't be updated. He needed the machine back today, so I gave it to him, let him know what was going on and that if something pops up we will just have to resort to an N&P at that point.

 

['putertutor]

Holy Hannah! So the I gave the customer his computer back a week or so back as he needed it for a few days. He promised to return it so I could sort this out. I got it back and started to do an N&P (I really had no other ideas). A full clone and N&P later, plus all updates, and I have the same issue with the installer initiating, but never installing. WTF?!? Ok. Restore to before updates and try again. Same thing. Ok, This time I totally wipe the drive including the recovery partition, just for kicks and giggles. Same deal.

Down to hardware now, yeah? Memory reseated. No change. Memtest says no problems. Hard drive checks out ok. Mobo and all caps look good. I unplugged and replugged every connection on the board and any drives.

I have no idea where to go from here. I can install anything and everything, except Adobe Reader and Flash. This little inspiron is having its way with me and I don't like it.

 

[carrcomp]

Give this a try and see if you get an error message.

https://ninite.com/reader/

 

[NYJimbo]

Replace the ram, even if it tested ok.

 

['putertutor]

@NYJimbo New memory. Nope

@carrcomp and @computergeek Off line installers work, but not the net installer. I thought I mentioned this earlier, but as it turns out I only thought that I mentioned this. Problem is, most customers, including this one, aren't familiar with that process and will still think something is wrong if they can just go to Adobe and upgrade their software. And there is something wrong if they can't do that. The upgrade process, even after the full install, still doesn't work.

 

[Moltuae]

Since you've practically ruled everything else out, my guess would be some obscure conflict with something hardware-specific, most likely a driver or a driver application. Have you tried using good 'ol msconfig? Load the bare minimum you need for the installer to work.

 

[katz]

Very strange...I almost get the feeling that a Windows update is buggering something up with this unique mix of hardware/software. What AV is running? Windows/other firewall?