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 I’m currently having issues with Flash Player and Javascript. YouTube won’t play videos unless I have the new Flash Player downloaded and I need to turn on my Javascript. But when I try to download Flash 10 it almost completes but then says it can’t authenticate user and stops. It doesn’t just affect videos. I can’t use the poker app on Facebook or anything that is Flash based. I tried to delete it and download from scratch, but it won’t even delete. What can I do to fix it?

I am going to take you through each of the steps for solving this problem. Complete them one at a time starting with the one at the top. Once you do so, you should be able to view YouTube videos and play Poker on Facebook.

Uninstall Previous Version of Adobe Flash Player

Since you have a partially installed version of Adobe Flash Player 10 on your computer, you need to uninstall it completely before moving on. Since Adobe has customized their Adobe Flash Players in a particular manner, you need to use their uninstaller to remove completed or partially-installed versions of Adobe Flash Player from your computer. Visit this link, Uninstall Adobe, at Adobe’s website in order to access the uninstaller. You’ll have to download it. Be sure that you select the one that you need for your computer’s operating system. Specific directions are provided on that page and you should follow them exactly.

Prepare the Computer for Downloads

The best strategy to take whenever you are going to download a new application is to prep the computer first. Clear out all the excess garbage such as unwanted documents and photos and empty the trash bin. Next, make sure that all other programs are closed when you begin the download and installation of the programs that you want.

Install Adobe Flash Player

Visit Adobe’s website at this link, Adobe Flash Player and install the latest Adobe Flash Player.

Install Java

In order to install Java, you need to visit their website at Java Downloads. Just click on the big, bright blue button that says, “Free Java Download.” Follow the prompts and make sure that you select the right download for your operating system. Next, you need to enable Java on your web browser in order for it to work.

How to Enable Java on Internet Explorer

1)      Open up your Internet Explorer.

2)      Search for “Tools” and click.

3)      Select “Internet Options.”

4)      Select “Advanced.”

5)      Navigate to the option for “Enabling Java” and mark off the box.

6)      Select “OK.”

7)      Restart your computer to enable the settings.

If you aren’t using Internet Explorer for your browser, you’ll find alternate directions at one of Filetonic’s other articles: How to Enable Javascript.

Within the last two weeks when I get something that has to be downloaded; the download time is very long and slow. Any ideas why? Recently a download took over 20 minutes!

There could be a lot of things that can cause slow downloads, so let’s do some troubleshooting.

Slow Internet Speeds

Are you finding that your overall Internet has slowed, or is it just the downloads? If you are finding that the Internet is slow, you can do a few things to try to speed it up. To test your Internet connection speed, you can use a program like the McAfee Internet Connection Speedometer, or go to the Internet icon at the bottom right of your computer and put the mouse over it. This will bring up a screen that will give you Internet information. If you get around 80% of the ISP’s advertised speed, then you are doing pretty well.

Delete Cache and Cookies

Close all of your web browsers. Go to Start and Control Panel. Go to Internet Options and then to the General tab. Click on Delete Cookies. Then choose Delete Files and put a check by Delete all offline content. Click Ok and then Close.

Virus Programs

It’s possible that a virus is causing your slow download speeds - it’s also possible that it is your antivirus program itself that is causing the problem. First, make sure your antivirus program is updated and then run a full scan. If you suspect that it is the antivirus program itself, you can temporarily turn it off then go to a trusted site and try a download. If it is much faster, you will either need to adjust the security settings or try another antivirus program. Norton in particular is known to cause download speed issues.

Registry Problems

It’s possible that something in the registry is causing slowdowns on your system. A program like RegCure will monitor and clean up the system and may result in faster download speeds. There is a free trial, and it isn’t a bad idea to run it in any case.

Internet Problems

To do an in-depth line test, you will need to call your service provider. Once you have them on the phone, the can test the line to make sure that it is nothing on their end.

Accelerator Software

If your Internet is running fine and there are no other problems, you can try a program like Download accelerator plus. These often speed up your downloads so that you can avoid partial downloading of programs and timing out.

Hopefully, one of these solutions will help you out - if you need further assistance, please let us know.

I keep getting these pop-ups saying need Java and/or ActiveX. I can’t play any games at all.

With a lot of online games, you need to have Java and/or ActiveX installed on the computer as well as set up to run (enabled). Fortunately, you can set this up at no cost. Follow the directions offered here in order to do so. Although it isn’t a difficult task, it helps to be able to complete the job without any interruptions. Just make sure you have a bit of quiet time and close out all other applications before you begin.

What is Java?

Java is an application that allows us to do quite a few activities on the computer including playing games and using 3D imagery. Once you have it installed on your computer, you should be able to play your games.

How to Install Java

In order to obtain the installation you need, just visit Java’s website at Java Downloads. You’ll see a bright blue button in the center of the page labeled “Free Java Download.” Click on it and another page will be generated offering Java downloads. Read through the list to ensure that you are at the proper download page for your operating system. This particular page is for Windows. If it isn’t the correct operating system, then you can click the link directly below the blue button. Just follow the installation instructions and soon you will have installed Java onto your machine. Remember that once you download this application, you also need to enable it to run, so follow the next set or instructions.

How to Enable Java on Internet Explorer

1. Open up Internet Explorer.
2. Look for the section labeled “Tools” and click to open.
3. Select “Internet Options” from the choices.
4. Select “Advanced.”
5. Navigate to the option for enabling Java and mark off the box.
6. Select “OK.”
7. Restart the computer to enable the settings to apply.

If you are using a browser other than Internet Explorer, you can find alternate directions at one of our other articles: How to Enable Javascript.

How to Enable Active Scripting, ActiveX, and Java in Internet Explorer

1. Open up your browser, “Internet Explorer.”
2. Select the option for “Tools” from the menu.
3. Select “Internet Options”.
4. Select the option for “Security.” The option for “Internet Zone” should be selected.
5. Select “Default Level.”
6. Select “OK.”

I keep getting a message along the lines of “Internet Explorer has encountered a problem and needs to shut down.” It then restarts and returns to the home page. This can happen at different frequencies.

Troubleshooting Internet Explorer Has Encountered an Error: Scanning for Malware

With this type of problem, one of the first strategies that I suggest is to run a virus and spyware scan. Quite often spyware and viruses infect a computer and can lead to problems such as Internet Explorer cannot display the page. The best strategy here is to run an anti-virus/anti-spyware application to remove the problem if it exists. Once this occurs, Internet Explorer usually goes back to its normal working order. If you have such an application, check to see if any updates exist and run it now. If you don’t have such an application, you can try Anti-VirusPLUS, which is a reliable anti-virus/anti-spyware program.

Troubleshooting Internet Explorer Has Encountered an Error: Updates

It is possible that you need to obtain the latest update for Internet Explorer. If you haven’t updated in a while, this becomes even more possible. The latest version is currently IE8. If you already have this version, use the next set of directions to repair it. If you don’t have this version, try uploading it now and see if that helps any.

Troubleshooting Internet Explorer Has Encountered an Error: Repair IE

Quite often, computer users can resolve Internet Explorer errors simply by resetting it. Take these steps to repair your Internet Explorer:

1)      Open your Internet Explorer application.

2)      Immediately select the option for “Tools.”

3)      Select “Internet Options.”

4)      Select the section for “Restore Advanced Settings.”

5)      Select “Reset.” If you are lucky, this strategy worked.

Troubleshooting Internet Explorer Has Encountered an Error: IE Reporting Tool

Typically a small dialog box appears that offers you the chance to report the IE error. Many people don’t realize the value of this option. If you select this option to “Send Error Report,” the “Internet Explorer Error Reporting Tool” will first check to see if the problem has been resolved. If it has been resolved, this tool will direct you to the appropriate webpage to fix the problem. Typically, this involves downloading a patch or workaround for that particular problem.

Troubleshooting Internet Explorer Has Encountered an Error: “System Restore”

Another workaround that might work for you is to complete a “System Restore” to place your computer back to a time when IE was working properly. This strategy might or might not work for you.

Troubleshooting Internet Explorer Has Encountered an Error: Add-ons

This strategy is usually one that works if you have recently included any add-ons for your Internet Explorer browser. Try running it without the add-ons and see if the problem continues. Go to Start> Programs> Accessories > System Tools> Internet Explorer with No Add-ons. If it works properly, then you can experiment with each add-on one at a time until you discover which one is creating the problem for you. Do this by going into the regular Internet Explorer and clicking Tools > Manage Add-ons. You could also try uninstalling the latest add-on to see if that makes a difference for you.

I am trying to register for online banking but on one of the screens I can’t get to the bottom of the screen to press submit. Can you help me?

Oversized Web Forms

This sounds like the Web form is larger than your screen. You are only seeing the top portion of the form and it appears as though there’s more but it is running off your screen, correct? This is definitely an annoyance. It could be a problem with the programming of the Web site or your Web browser may not be compatible with the Web site.

Browser Compatibility

Web developers typically create their websites with specific Web browsers in mind, usually taking advantage of the latest browser versions and their technologies. While this is terrific for users who use the browser version that the site was designed for, it’s not so great for users of older or alternative browsers.

The first thing that I would try before switching or updating browsers is the zoom utility. If you have Internet Explorer, look at the bottom right corner of the window. See the magnifying glass? Click the down arrow and choose 50%. This will shrink the entire Web site, including the oversized Web form. You should now be able to see and click the Submit button.

Updating Web Browsers

Hopefully the submission form is the only part of the Web site where you will have to shrink the page. If you find that your online banking site doesn’t work very well with your browser, then consider updating to the latest version or trying one of the alternative Web browsers such as Mozilla Firefox.

Internet Explorer Update

The most current version of Internet Explorer is IE 8.0 as of this writing. One of its new features is a compatibility view mode. When Web pages are not displaying as they should, such as text running off the screen, clicking on the Compatibility View button allows you to view sites that were designed for older Web browsers. So, if you’re running Internet Explorer 8.0 and your online banking page isn’t displaying properly, it’s likely not designed for the version of Internet Explorer. In this situation, you would click the Compatibility View button (it’s to the right of the Address bar) and the site should display properly.

I tried to download Javascript and I am getting error that ActiveX is not functioning. Where do I get ActiveX or is part of my system that is not working?

Enable Javascript

In order to view content written in Javascript, you must enable your computer’s Web browser to do so, so let’s start there before moving on to ActiveX. Go into Internet Explorer and click Tools > Internet Options. Click the Security tab and then click the globe. Choose Custom Level and find the Scripting section. Find Active Scripting and choose Enable. If you use a different Web browser, view this article about enabling Javascript for more details.

What is ActiveX?

ActiveX is indeed a part of your Windows operating system. ActiveX controls are like small chunks of code that are shared between Microsoft programs. For example, if you are using Internet Explorer and encounter a Web site that contains .wmv video files, a built-in ActiveX control pulls up the code for Windows Media Player and plays the file directly in the Web browser. Similarly, an ActiveX control is responsible for playing Flash within the Web browser rather than launching the Flash Player directly.

ActiveX Settings

ActiveX is often restricted by default in Internet Explorer due to security issues. Viruses and Trojans have tricked users into installing them by posing as legitimate ActiveX controls. Of course, they weren’t legitimate. To protect against such intruders, several layers of security have been implemented. You may need to adjust your security settings to get the ActiveX control that you need working properly.

Again, you will go into Internet Options and click the Security tab. Click Customize and find the ActiveX control section. Look for “Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins.” Is it disabled? If so choose “prompt” or “enable.” There are other ActiveX options, but this is the one that is most likely blocking your installation. Be careful about enabling any of the options for “unsafe” or “unsigned” ActiveX controls. When in doubt, go for “prompt” instead of “enable.” By choosing “prompt” you will be notified on a case-by-case basis about whether or not to run the script.