Start in safe mode. Run msconfig.exe. Look for the flash service and turn it off under the startup tab. Restart. Go to add/remove programs, uninstall flash. Then go to the Flash site and download and reinstall flash.
No, I was under the impression couldn’t get the computer to start w/o crashing. So if the crashing is coming from a service, start in a mode where the service isn’t running and nuke the service.
FWIW my brother just texted me and told me he is having this very issue on his laptop and his desktop. Both running XP. He says the Flash thing is not IN his startup items…hmmmm…
I’m having the same crash. It doesn’t take the system down, or even really slow anything down.
I think Mangosteen can probably just uninstall and reinstall the app.
Tried to use regular start up. Ran msconfig.exe went to Services ( not start up ) and found Adobe Flash Player Update. It was “Stopped”. Clicked on it to erase the check symbol. Hit Apply. Window appeared, “An access denied error was returned while attempting to change service. You may need to to log on using an Administrator account to make special changes.”
Never use MSConfig to deal with services. Use services.msc–just type it into the start menu or Run dialog box.
And, yes, you’ll have to be an administrator. Programs and Features (what Add/Remove Programs is now called in Windows 7’s Control Panel) also won’t work if you aren’t an administrator. Despite technically not being necessary, Flash has always required Administrator privileges.
This is a big reason why I don’t like forced automatic updates. Sure, you need to update, but they should tell you why and let you choose whether it’s worth it to risk bugs like this, or just wait a bit and see how things shake out. The security hole has been there for a while, a couple more weeks won’t hurt.
Particularly with a company like Adobe with their abysmal track record on these things. They aren’t Google, that’s for sure.
This was happening to me with a recent update. Flash would either crash or the Update service would give the error message you posted. However, the recent update 11.3.300.265 fixed the problem.
See what version you have and if it isn’t 11.3.300.265, update from "Step 4"and see if that fixes the problem. No need to uninstall or do msconfig.
Many people running XP SP3 are seeing recurring crashes of the latest FlashPlayer updater. Until Adobe fixes this, here’s a simple workaround that works great:
I just went to restore computer to earlier date, before I installed the new adobe flash and that worked. When adobe asked to install new update I declined.