Note: If you are looking for information on Error 1714, then please see "Error 'The feature... is on a network resource that is unavailable' or 'Error 1714' when you update or install Acrobat or Adobe Reader on Windows" (TechNote 320310).
What's covered
Due to recent Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) updates to the Windows Internet Explorer (IE) browser, Adobe Flash Player movies may not play as desired.
The following list describes the most common reasons Flash content fails to display on a computer with a Microsoft Windows XP (SP2) operating system.
- Adobe Flash Player is disabled.
- Pop-up window blocking is set to high.
Flash Player disabled
One of the new features of Windows XP SP2 is that you can better manage IE browser add-ons. Specifically, you can disable and enable certain ActiveX controls. The graphic icon shown in the image below indicates that the ActiveX control used on the current page has been disabled.
If you browse to a page that has a Flash movie, but you have disabled the Flash ActiveX control, you will see this icon in the right corner of the IE status bar.
Solution: Enable the ActiveX control
Follow the steps below to enable an ActiveX control that has been disabled in IE.
- In IE, choose Tools > Manage Add-ons.
- Look for Shockwave Flash Object under the heading Disabled.
- Select this entry and choose Enable at the bottom of the dialog box.
- Click the Update ActiveX button.
- Click OK to exit the dialog box.
Pop-up windows are blocked
This section provides instructions on how to disable the pop-up blocker in Windows IE and Mozilla Firefox.
If you are running a third-party script to block pop-ups, then refer to that product's documentation for instructions on how to disable the pop-up blocker.
Windows IE
When pop-up blocking is set to medium, IE automatically blocks pop-up windows that are created by other windows or scripts. When pop-up blocking is set to high, IE will also block pop-up windows that may appear because you clicked a link.
When IE blocks a pop-up, you will hear a warning sound and the gold-colored information bar will appear. You should also see the following icon in the status bar:
The options in the information bar allow you to temporarily allow pop-up windows, always allow pop-up windows from this site, or change your pop-up blocking options. If you don't see the information bar, you can change your settings by choosing Tools > pop-up blocking from within IE.
If you are still experiencing issues with installation or playback, then please visit "Troubleshoot Adobe Flash Player installation for Windows" (TechNote tn_19166).
Mozilla Firefox
To disable pop-up windows in Firefox, from the main menu choose Tools > Options > Content. There will be a check in the checkbox next to Block Pop-Up Windows--click the checkbox to deselect Block Pop-Up Windows.