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Adobe Flash Player Install Failure

I am brand new to Macs, had my MBP 13" for one week and everything has so far gone so smoothly. However, I just had my first problem. Adobe Flash Player install failed right at the last steps. I wish these things came with an instruction manual. I am old school. What do I do with the thing showing in my download stack on my dock for this flash player and also what do I do with the same that is showing in my finder window for same.

My first thought would be delete and try again but I am so afraid of making a mess out of my MBP tht has so far just worked so well. Please advise what should I do and THEN if I should try again for the Flash Player install. Oh and I am trying from the Adobe site.

Please help and thank you.

MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Feb 3, 2013 2:25 PM

45 replies

Kurt Lang

Level 9

58,308 points

Feb 4, 2013 7:35 AM in response to IpadinParadise

Download and run the Mac Flash Uninstaller. Then try again installing Flash.

Feb 4, 2013 7:51 AM in response to Kurt Lang

I have been on the phone with Apple Support and we went thru the process of trying to get it installed and it failed the same way. The error message is appearing in the window as the blue line shows the download percentage. Gets to 55% everytime and stops. Apple says my machine is set up correctly and to call Adobe and tell them the problem.

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Feb 4, 2013 8:00 AM in response to IpadinParadise

If Adobe told you the problem is at their end, then you should believe it. It's not uncommon for their distribution network to get screwed up.

Feb 4, 2013 8:14 AM in response to Linc Davis

I got that info from an Adobe forum. I talked to Apple Support this morning and they checked several settings out and then had me restart my computer after holding down shift, control, option. Then we went thru the Adobe Flash download again and it failed again. Apple guy said to call Adobe. So I called Adobe, they said their technical help is not free and it would cost anywhere from $99 - 149. Soooooo I wont have Adobe Flash Player but very disappointed since I cant get it on my Ipad either but I'll live with it.

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Feb 4, 2013 8:20 AM in response to IpadinParadise

Please describe exactly what you did with Apple Support.

Feb 4, 2013 9:08 AM in response to Linc Davis

They had me check for software updates, there were none.

They checked in Sys Pref under Security and had me change download from “Mac store and authorized developers" to “Anywhere".

And then had me shut down, hold down shift, option, control for 1 second and then power back up. I am doing that 3 finger touch from memory but know I got it right at the time.

Then went thru the Adobe download (me describing what screen and button I pushed). It downloaded again to 55% and then I got “general installation failure" right underneath the download bar.

Apple support said to contact Adobe since there was nothing wrong on my Mac. I could call him back but that wouldnt solve anything.

One thing earlier I forgot was that Adobe said they would need to remotely access my desktop in order to see what the problem was. Said that was the reason for their fee. Also muttered something about 10.8.2 has promblems with it.

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Feb 4, 2013 9:29 AM in response to IpadinParadise

Please read this whole message before doing anything.

This procedure is a diagnostic test. It’s unlikely to solve your problem. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.

The purpose of the test is to determine whether your problem is caused by third-party system modifications that load automatically at startup or login.

Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards. Boot in safe mode* and log in to the account with the problem. The instructions provided by Apple are as follows:

Shut down your computer, wait 30 seconds, and then hold down the shift key while pressing the power button.
When you see the gray Apple logo, release the shift key.
If you are prompted to log in, type your password, and then hold down the shift key again as you click Log in.

*Note: If FileVault is enabled under OS X 10.7 or later, or if a firmware password is set, or if the boot volume is a software RAID, you can’t boot in safe mode.

Safe mode is much slower to boot and run than normal, and some things won’t work at all, including wireless networking on certain Macs. The next normal boot may also be somewhat slow.

The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.

Test while in safe mode. Same problem?

After testing, reboot as usual (i.e., not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of the test.

Feb 4, 2013 10:02 AM in response to Linc Davis

Ok, shut down and restarted in safe mode, entered password and then retried download, failed again.

Restarted normally, tried again and failed again.

The failure comes in the Adobe Flash Installer window, when the download bar gets to 55% I get the general installation error underneath that download bar. There is a button at the bottom FINISH - when I click that I get a download Unsuccessful msg. If I do nothing everything just sits there so I know the install is unsuccessful.

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Feb 4, 2013 10:04 AM in response to IpadinParadise

I still don't have a clue what you're doing. Please post a screenshot.

Feb 4, 2013 11:54 AM in response to Linc Davis

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Feb 4, 2013 1:41 PM in response to IpadinParadise

Triple-click the line below to select it:

~/Library/Logs

Right-click or control-click the highlighted line and select

Services ▹ Reveal

from the contextual menu. A Finder window should open with an item selected. There may be a file in there with "Flash" in the name. If there is, double-click it. The Console application should open. Copy the text in the window and paste it into a reply -- the text, please, not a screenshot.

Feb 4, 2013 4:33 PM in response to Linc Davis

Linc - I thank you so much for your patient help. This is all just above my head. What I have done at this point is download Google Chrome as I have been told that has a built in Flash. I shall see I guess.

Feb 8, 2013 7:25 AM in response to IpadinParadise

FWIW, I encountered this same problem today on both my MacBook (Mountain Lion) and my iMac (Lion), both up-to-date. Repeated attempts to reinstall (including uninstall and reinstall) failed with the same "General installation error" during the install phase.

On a whim, I tried the process using Firefox instead of Safari. This time the installer completed successfully.

Just based upon this, this issue appears to be specific to Safari.

jthale76

Level 1

0 points

Feb 8, 2013 7:13 PM in response to IpadinParadise

Hi IpadinParadise -- the problem seems to be with the extra-small Adobe Installer that wants to "set up a download." On my system, this installer always fails with General Installation Error.

The Adobe troubleshooting docs points you to an alternative "direct" installer. This is good except the particular link they give you is to a version ending in 146. This doesn't work. Apple wants you to have the very latest, the one whose version number ends in 149. Luckily there is a direct link for that one, too:

http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/pdc/11.5.502.149/install_flash_player_osx.dmg

Running this installer worked for me, Safari 6.0.2 on OS X 10.8.2

Kurt Lang

Level 9

58,308 points

Feb 9, 2013 7:47 AM in response to IpadinParadise

There's another thread on these forums where the user found if they did the download and install through Firefox rather than Safari, it worked. Doesn't really make sense why that would make a difference, but it can't hurt to try.

Adobe Flash Player Install Failure