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View Full Version : HOWTO : Install Adobe flash for Firefox and fix sound issues (Ubuntu Dapper 32-bit)


epennings
October 12th, 2006, 05:36 AM
Important notes :

edit :
Most of the information in this guide can also be found here:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RestrictedFormats#head-c268ba69c6b38af1dc31ea09701c7d296cf971c3
You should try installing Flash using that guide first.

This HOWTO is meant for the 32-bit version of Ubuntu Dapper. I cannot garantuee it works for other versions of Ubuntu.

I assume you use the default Ubuntu version of Firefox. If you have another version make sure you know the installation path.

I use the manual method to install Flash. Installing the flashplugin-nonfree package never works for me. You should uninstall it before using this HOWTO.


Before installing

Make sure you have enabled universe/multiverse repositories : HOWTO (http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Dapper#How_to_add_extra_repositories)

Update you system :
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get dist-upgrade

Flash requires 2 fontpackages to be installed :

sudo apt-get install gsfonts gsfonts-x11

Dowloading and installing Adobe Flash

Download the latest installer from Adobe :
wget http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/install_flash_player_7_linux.tar.gz

Extract the files from the archive :
tar -zxf install_flash_player_7_linux.tar.gz

*** You have to close your browser for the next 2 steps ***

Run the installer :
sudo install_flash_player_7_linux/flashplayer-installer

When asked to enter an installation path enter the path where you browser is installed (/usr/lib/firefox by default)
Please enter the installation path of the Mozilla, Netscape,
or Opera browser (i.e., /usr/lib/mozilla):/usr/lib/firefox

The installer should complete without errors. To confirm that the plugin is installed correctly start Firefox and type the following in the navigation bar :

about:plugins

You should see something like this :
Shockwave Flash

File name: /usr/lib/firefox/plugins/libflashplayer.so
Shockwave Flash 7.0 r68

MIME Type Description Suffixes Enabled
application/x-shockwave-flash Shockwave Flash swf Yes
application/futuresplash FutureSplash Player spl Yes

If you dont see it you probably installed the flash plugin in the wrong path.


Fixing (sound) issues

Most issues I had with Flash are related to sound. Possible issues are :
- Firefox freezing/crashing while/after viewing a flash movie
- No sound in flash
- Very bad syncing
- Movies on Youtube or Google video stop playing afer 1/2 seconds

The most common fix is this one :
sudo ln -s /usr/lib/libesd.so.0 /usr/lib/libesd.so.1

Flash expects /temp/.esd to exist, to fix this type :
ln -s /tmp/.esd-1000 /tmp/.esd

To prevent having to retype this everytime you start your computer you could add the above command to rc.local :
sudo gedit /etc/rc.local

If the sound still isn't working properly you could try the fix discribed here (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=255422&highlight=flash)

Another fix is discribed here (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=186594&highlight=flash)

end of HOWTO

I hope this helped you to get Flash working correctly. If you have any additions/corrections to this guide please let me know. I'd also like to know if it worked for other versions of Ubuntu and/or other browsers.

PriceChild
October 12th, 2006, 06:27 AM
It is important to note that you should first attempt this wiki:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RestrictedFormats#head-c268ba69c6b38af1dc31ea09701c7d296cf971c3

TrendyDark
October 12th, 2006, 09:28 AM
The sound problem can be fixed by simply making firefox/Flash use AOSS for sound. Takes about 2 seconds :)

dannyboy79
October 12th, 2006, 09:47 AM
do these instructions work for Opera? Firefox is way to slow on my P MMX 266mhz 128mb ram running Xubuntu. Opera just flys. I was able to install Adobe Reader from scratch, next gonna try flash but was wondering if I should follow this? Thanks for any suggestions.

epennings
October 12th, 2006, 03:48 PM
The installer is compatible with Opera, just install it in the right path.
I'm not sure your computer has the minimum requirements for Flash, it will probably run a bit choppy.

desperado666
October 12th, 2006, 04:06 PM
If you encounter flas sound problems with opera start opera with this argument
"aoss opera"

you may need to install

* alsa-oss

Further instructions can be found here

http://wiki.ubuntuusers.de/Opera/Multimedia
and here
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/OperaBrowser?highlight=%28opera%29#head-801db7120330e998f5a482a4c5b7629458c6f32f

steveneddy
November 5th, 2006, 02:34 AM
I manually downloaded flash version 9 beta for linux and manually installed in correct folder and it looks beautiful and acts more predictably than the version 7.

No probs and no issues.

NOTE-you need to do this with Firefox off, not open.

-SE

Deeman
July 25th, 2007, 01:42 AM
OK, I will probably not get a reply because I just have to vent.. I am new, totally new and after installing Adobe Flash I have no sound at all! I am trying not to get frustrated but I will admit that I think I am losing the battle. I have tried this fix and no dice.