Cannot load properly Flash Player

My son and I have tried repeaterly to be able to use the Flash player, it loads and we then reboot and then it loads again but we still cannot get it to play any videos. I am on a phone line but I still think I should be able to play videos even if very slow. My question is why will it not play when loaded and is there anything else I can check to see if it is set to play now, for it will not play even though it is loaded it says after loading!
Any help would be appreciated as it sure has got us beat and my son has checked all the settings he says and it SHOULD play them but will not, I am of cause on XP Prof. With thanks for any help, Roy (An old boy nearly 80!)

 

Have you tried running antivirus and/or antispyware scans? Spyware can cause problems like the one your describing.

 

Roy78--What is the file extension (last three letters) of the videos you are trying to play? Flash is used to play .swf files.
What is the source of the video files? From either email or internet try downloading the file to your hard drive and then playing it from there.
If none of the above helps,

Does that mean you have downloaded and installed it?
You need ActiveX controls to be allowed to run for Flash files to play.