Flash Player on a PowerPC eMac

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Level 1

79 points

Flash Player on a PowerPC eMac

I have a PowerPC-based eMac running OS 10.5.8. Recently, I've started getting the same error message at the top of my browser page (Firefox 3.6.28) saying that some Plug-Ins are out of date. Flash Player is the main problem. I'm now also getting similar messages in the body of the browser page on many sites that I visit. I currently have installed Shockwave Flash 10.1.102.64 (10.1.r102). Firefox's Plug-In check site says this is in need of updating. When I click on "Update", I get taken to Adobe's Site where I can, and have, downloaded versions 10.3r183_7 and 11.6.1r629. When attempting to install these, an error message states that these versions require an Intel-based Mac. As then suggested on the Adobe Site, I go to their Archive Site and, from the list displayed, I identify the most recent version applicable for my system . This turns out to be 10.1.102.64 (10.1.r102) - which is what I've already got installed.

The only way I can get rid of the constantly re-appearing error messages on my browser pages (no matter what sites I'm visiting) is by DISABLING Shockwave Flash in my Plug-In list in Firefox (See:- Tools>Add Ons>Plug-Ins). But this means I can't watch any videos.

Does any one have a solution to this problem? Do I have, in fact, the latest version applicable to my system? If not, where can I find the latest version which is compatible with a PowerPC-based eMac ?

Thanking you, in advance, for any assistance.

eMac, Mac OS X (10.5.8), PowerPC G4. 1 GHz. 1 GB

Posted on Jun 21, 2012 3:19 AM

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Answer 1

Allan Jones

Level 9

79,790 points

Jun 21, 2012 8:14 AM in response to Figgy

Flash v10.1.102.64 is indeed the highest version taht can run on a PPC Mac regardless of Mac OS version. Adobe gave up on PPC support about the same time as Apple.

If it's Facebook that is the big concern, there is a third-party hack that tricks sites like FB into "thinking" you have a newer Flash version. NOTE: be aware this is a HACK and may not work. USE at you own risk.

Info here:

http://lowendmac.com/ed/royal/12sr/flash-11-and-powerpc.html

As most video is no longer optimized for the PPC processor, the playback is unlikely to be smooth but the hack should let the videos load.

There are some other references aroudn her eto a similr hack but a search of teh forums failed to provide a link. If I find it later, ill post it.

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Answer 2

Figgy Author

Level 1

79 points

Jun 22, 2012 1:29 AM in response to Allan Jones

Allan:- thank you for your reply. At least I now know I have the highest version available for my system.

Facebook is not the problem, since I don't use it. There are two (2) matters arising from your reply.

1. The problem worrying me relates to playing or streaming videos from "regular" websites like, say, news websitesor from You Tube. I know I don't get the best video experience, but often enough these videos play ok.

My problem and worry is that Firefox's Plug-In check site says that continued use of Shockwave Flash 10.1.102.64 involves a security vulnerability. Do you know what the nature of that vulnerability is ? How worried should I be about this vulnerability ? Would it be best to disable Shockwave Flash 10.1.102.64 and, therefore, be unable to watch any videos ?

2. Also, would the third-party software you refer to work so as to "trick" my system / Mac into thinking I had a newer version of Flash for all purposes, so that I could use the "tricked -up" version of Flash on the "regular" websites and on You Tube, as described above, or is that suggested workaround applicable only to Facebook?

I won't do anything until I hear back from you, should you be kind enough to reply.

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Answer 3

Allan Jones

Level 9

79,790 points

Jun 22, 2012 10:00 AM in response to Figgy

Thanks for the follow-up, which leads me to opine that Flash is not your problem.

I think you are seeing the rather amazing range of video codecs used in uploaded videos. Some work for PPC Macs, some "sorta" work" and some simply refuse to cooperate.

The newer codecs are no longer optimized for the PPC processor so, for many sites, you've lost before leaving the stating gate. The only G4 Mac we have in our stable that "almost" deals with web video is a last-gen eMac 1.42G. Its video chipset is the ATI 9600 64MB VRAM, so has Core Image hardware support that older eMacs lack. Still, although watchable, most videos still show some choppiness.

I'm not familiar with other third-party solutions, although I suspect none can completely overcome the conflict between video codecs and a processor family that has been out of favor for over 6 years.

I'm hoping some people with more experience with the third-party stuff comes forth.

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Answer 4

Figgy Author

Level 1

79 points

Jun 24, 2012 1:07 AM in response to Allan Jones

Allan:- Thanks for all your help. It realy is an excellent thing to have experts such as yourself willing to help other Mac users who find themselves in difficulties.

Out of interest my video chipset particulars are :

________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________

ATI Radeon 7500:

Chipset Model: ATY,RV200

Type: Display

Bus: AGP

VRAM (Total): 32 MB

Vendor: ATI (0x1002)

Device ID: xxxxxxx

Revision ID: 0x0000

ROM Revision: 113-xxxxx-116

Displays: eMac:

Resolution: 1024 x 768 @ 89 Hz

Depth: 32-Bit Color

Core Image: Software

Main Display: Yes

Mirror: Off

Online: Yes

Quartz Extreme: Supported

Built-In: Yes

Display Connector:

Status: No Display Connected

________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________

I have no idea what any of this means. I imagine it confirms what you said in your last post.

Unless there is something in the above that leaps out at you, there is no need to reply.

I'll adopt what you say in your last post and simply accept that I've been left behind by the newer technologies.

No more shacky / choppy videos for me. After reading the nature of the "security vulnerabilities" on Adobe's website, I'm disabling Shockwave Flash.

Thank you once again for your assistance.

(I meant to click the GREEN star but mistakenly clicked the ORANGE one. I'll try and fix it in the edit phase of posting this reply to you).

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