SWF files will not open

[Jeep7955]

Hi,
I'm running XP Pro, IE 7, OE 6.0, Comcast cable, Adobe Flash Player, Adobe shockwave, AVG Free and Zone Alarm Pro. Also run SpyBot and Ad-aware 6.0 frequently. Everything appears to be working well; however, SWF files will not open. I uninstalled IE 7, reverting to IE 6, but no help. Downloaded and reinstalled IE 7. No change. I had no trouble opening SWF files two weeks ago, but have no idea now what is causing the problem. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[gavm99]

Might sound like an obvious one but why not try using System Restore to how your PC was 2-3 weeks ago?

 

[linney]

What actually happens when you try to open an .SWF file, do you see any sign of life?

Have you made Internet Explorer the default program to open them? What does the Icon representing a .SWF file look like, is it similar to the IE icon?

Is any of your Security software blocking the running of ActiveX controls?

Have you tried to open a .SWF from Safe Mode?

 

[BadBigBen]

1. Reinstall Adobe Flash Player, best download the latest version from Adobe, and then install, make sure that you get the version for IE...

2. Do the same for the Adobe Shockwave plugin...

3. navigate to a .swf file, right-click and do an 'open with', then choose IE, and make sure that the CHECK BOX is activated 'Always open with ...'

and see if that helps any...

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[Jeep7955]

Thanks Linney and Big Ben. Will advise results as soon as I can get back to the problem.

 

[Jeep7955]

Linney,
To answer your questions, when trying to open an .SWF file, the result is a blank white screen with a yellow triangle in the lower left corner and the IE blue globe just to the right of center.
Two examples of files that previously opened are copter.swf and parachute.swf. Each has a miniature IE blue globe icon. Right-clicking and going to Properties, Type of File: Shockwave Flash Object - Opens with: Internet Explorer.
Trying to open in Safe Mode produced same result.
As for Security Software, will take another look there but don't think that is the problem. My recollection is that all are set to Enable or Ask. However, that raises a second issue which has developed in the last day or so and that is that Internet Options will not open in IE Tools or from the Control Panel. It appears to open momentarily but too fast to read.
As for Big Ben's suggestion, I have uninstalled and reinstalled both Adobe Flash Player and Adobe Shockwave, which did not help. Perhaps I should do that again, as well as IE 7, which will automatically revert to IE 6, update it, then reinstall the Adobe's, and see what happens. Maybe I'll luck out and fix both problems.
Thanks.

 

[linney]

What happens if you click on this file, C:\Windows\System32\inetcpl.cpl, do you get any errors. In IE7, the size of the file for me is 1.73 MB (1,823,744 bytes). What do you see via the Properties?

Try running ChkDsk to check your drive for errors. Right-click your Drive icon/ Properties/ Tools/ Error Checking. Select both boxes.

Run the System File Checker program from the Run Box by typing.....Sfc /Scannow in it and have your XP CD handy.

If they don't work you could try repairing windows by running it over itself. You will lose all your windows updates but your files will be untouched.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP (Q315341)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q315/3/41.asp

 

[Jeep7955]

Linney,
Properties for inetcpl.cpl show Size: 1.73 MB; Size on disk: 1.74 MB. No error messages.
Have run ChkDsk several times, most recently following your message. No change in .SWF files or Internet Options.
As for running System File Checker, tried that and was advised that files on the PC were newer than files on the disk, so cancelled the operation.
I think now that my best choice will be to do an Acronis system restore. The only problem with Acronis is that my last backup was on 5/19 and I have done a lot of Website work since then. But I can backup a few folders to CD and later bring the restore results up to date. I think that will be my best choice at this point. I don't know where that will leave me regarding the .SWF files but at least I should recover Internet Options. Many thanks for your help.

 

[Jeep7955]

Problem solved! Did an Acronis full backup of my system this morning. Next restored a 5/19 Acronis full backup, which set everything back to 5/19 but included IE7, Adobe Flash Player and Shockwave. After rebooting, brought up Internet Options from IE Tools and from Control Panel, and all .SWF files opened normally. Finally, restored selectively from the backup made this morning to bring some older files/folders and OE up to date, and I am one happy clam. Many thanks to all for your efforts.

 

[BadBigBen]

Glad you got it fixed, albeit having to go through an ordeal...

and thnx for posting it here...



Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."