Silverlight update for Netflix using Firefox on MacBook Pro 10.5.8?

Hello, I just wanted to post my problem and solution so that other inexperienced, non-techie, Netflix-lovers could find a solution quickly. It took me about a day and a half. Like to save time for others if I can. Please post any related solutions for other Mac products or OX if they differ from what I have suggested.


MacBook Pro / Mozilla Firefox / Netflix / Silverlight Update solved - DON'T DOWNLOAD FROM NETFLIX


I solved this problem tonight. I have a MacBook Pro with 10.5.8. I know, it's old. But I love my Netflix and I recently noticed that Firefox plays Netflix much better. Then I suddenly got this message that I needed to download the latest Silverlight - it only takes 30 seconds! - WRONG. However, after much searching, I finally did the steps in order and it worked.


This was after repeatedly downloading Silverlight from the Netflix site without success. So here's what I did:


1. Went to http://www.microsoft.com/getsilverlight/Get-Started/Install/Default.aspx

2. Followed the directions. I felt like such an idiot for not doing it right before.

3. Go to your hard drive and search for "Silverlight" to locate ANY existing Silverlight files: .dmg, etc.

[also check your Libary/ Internet Plug-ins, but the above search is faster]

4. Drag it all to the trash and empty it.

5. Go back to the Get Silverlight page and click on the Install on that page, not the Netflix site.

6. Note the steps for Safari or Mozilla Firefox - I wanted Firefox, so I follwed those instructions.

7. Once it's installed, close all the browsers and Restart that bad boy. Right away.

8. Open a browser, go to Netflix and proceed to joyfully rot your brain with Netflix content. Yay!


Don't forget to re-open the Get Silverlight page to VERIFY - it's a good feeling.


User uploaded file



Get Microsoft Silverlight


The version of Silverlight installed is:
Silverlight 5 (5.1.30317.0)
You are ready to use Microsoft Silverlight


  1. Verify your system requirements

    Make sure you are running a Silverlight-compatible Macintosh operating system and browser and that you have uninstalled any previous version of Silverlight.
  2. Download Silverlight

    For Apple Safari users:

    Once the download is finished, the browser will warn you that Silverlight.dmg contains an application. To proceed with the installation, click Continue.

    For Mozilla Firefox users:

    Save Silverlight.dmg to your hard disk. Once the download is finished, click Open. Double-click Silverlight.pkg.

  3. Install Silverlight

    The installer will warn you that "This package contains a program that determines if the software can be installed." Click Continue.

    On the Introduction page, click Continue.

    On the Select Destination page, select the destination volume for Silverlight, and then click Continue.

    On the Installation Type page, click Install.

    You will be prompted to authenticate. Enter your Administrator user name and password. Click OK to continue.

    On the Finish Up page, click Close to exit the installer.

  4. Restart your browser and Verify

    Some browsers must be restarted before activating new plug-ins. Restart your browser to complete the installation.

    Verify your installation by experiencing the Silverlight site.

    For installation support, visit our support page.

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.8), Solution Netflix Silverlight

Posted on May 2, 2014 1:00 AM

Reply
5 replies

Jun 11, 2014 8:14 PM in response to Melophage

Thanks for the link, Melophage. That link above yielded the same results when I tried it via Firefox: download went through, no glitches, but what downloaded was only an alias, and the file as it appeared on my hard drive clocked in at 92 bytes.


However: I retried downloading Silverlight from the Microsoft site via Safari. And this time, to my surprise, it worked. I must not have gone to the official MS site for the download, in my earlier efforts on Safari.


So between you and CGC above, I got the end result I wanted: I am now able to stream Netflix on my shiny new MacBook Pro. Thanks again for the help!

Jun 11, 2014 10:52 AM in response to CleverGirlCreative

CCG, yours was the most recent of these threads I could find, and your go-to-the-source procedure worked for me in my old MacBook--the 10.5.8. one. I can now stream Netflix over Firefox on that machine just fine. Thanks!


But I can't make it happen in my new MacBook Pro, 10.9.3. I go through all the install steps, no problem. But all I can open afterward is a Silverlight Preferences dialogue box. In my hard drive it shows up as a Silverlight alias. And when I try to return to the Microsoft page to verify installation (as CCG suggests in conclusion, above), there's no recognition of the plugin--just the same "download now!" message I saw the first time around.


Massively frustrating! Isn't newer = better? I guess I won't be recycling the old white one with the bulging battery anytime real soon. Anyone with hints for making Silverlight run on a newer MacBook, please give a shout.

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Silverlight update for Netflix using Firefox on MacBook Pro 10.5.8?

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