Boardworks

Microsoft have now released the updated Flash Player plugin for Windows 8 and above, it is KB3099406.

No problem, the distribution link is also a bit more useful for this forum so thanks for that. Windows 8 and above will need to wait for Microsoft to publish the update via Windows Updates which should be tonight.

A quick update, Adobe have just released a new Flash Player plugin which fixes this issue, the version is 19.0.0.207. You will need to update your ActiveX version of the Flash Player plugin which you can download from here https://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/otherversions/ - selecting "FP19 for Internet Explorer – ActiveX" from the second selection box.

To clarify, there's a conflation of issues in this thread. If you are encountering an error message saying 'some controls cannot be activated' when opening a presentation then this is not caused by the current issue with ActiveX Adobe Flash Player 19 (19.0.0.185). This error message is a symptom of a number of different issues, of course we will try and offer support here but if you do encounter this issue then emailing [email protected] with your school name in the subject line and a description of the issue will mean we can support you directly. The bug within Flash Player 19 leads to corrupt presentations which say they need to be Repaired when they are open (as the Flash objects have not been embedded properly). If you need to edit and save presentations with embedded Flash then rolling back to Flash Player 18 is the only workaround, though as Flash Player updates include security fixes, you need to be aware of the implications of doing this. If you just need to view the presentations and not edit them, then Flash Player 19 works fine. This morning Adobe have said they have resolved the issue in Flash Player 19 and the fix will be in a beta release of the plugin today. If everything is OK, we would expect the fix to be rolled in to the stable update of the plugin, which will be next Tuesday.

If the two md5 hashes do not match, then the files are not the same. Could you try copying over the presentation from the old location to the new location and see if that copy works, it should do if it is exactly the same file and the original file works.

Morning CHiLL, are the files on the two different network areas the same? Could you create an md5 hash on the two files and make sure that they match? Unfortunately, since the update to Flash Player 19 (specifically 19.0.0.185) on the 21st September, Adobe have introduced a bug to Flash Player where presentations which have flash embedded are corrupted when they are saved. If the files your staff are using have been edited & saved since the update to Flash 19, then the presentation will be broken. However, I wouldn't expect the error to be the "some controls in this presentation cannot be activated", it would more likely be reporting that the file has become corrupt and needs repairing (clicking the Repair button unfortunately fails). If you would like to send over an example of a broken presentation to [email protected] with your schools name and post code in the subject line I can take a look to see if this is the issue.

Just a quick note to let you know that Adobe did resolve the issue with embedded Flash within PowerPoints in the last version of 14 before they moved on to 15, so there isn't a need to stick on the LTS version of Flash for our presentations any longer. We're keeping our eyes peeled for any regressions now they've moved on to a rapid-release cycle.

@samwells1234 if the software is asking for a product key then it will be quite an old version that is incompatible with Windows 7 and above. If you get in touch with support at boardworks.co.uk with your school's postcode I can take a look at the software you have and get some updated versions (which don't require a product key) sent out to you.

Sorry for not picking up on this thread earlier. If you've followed the suggestions on the Troubleshooting page (on the UK site*) then I would suspect that the file isn't one of our published presentations. This error sometimes occurs when the PowerPoint is edited, usually when slides containing flash are pulled in from a number of presentations. The process of embedding flash within PowerPoint can be quite delicate, the best advice is to save the PowerPoint after every single edit and hopefully the flash will stay embedded correctly. You also need to be using a version of Flash the same or higher than that which was used to create the PowerPoint. If this isn't the case please feel free to email over one of the presentations to support at boardworks.co.uk and I'll take a look at the file to see if there is another issue. * Thanks for pointing out the outdated advice on the US site. Personally, I've never actually seen the manual registering of Flash work (that advice was written quite long ago now) and that page should reflect our UK troubleshooting site. I'll get on to the relevant people about that now.

All Boardworks' resources can be stored and accessed via a VLE as long as they are only accessible to students and staff of the school that purchased the software (i.e. They have to log in to the VLE to access them). This is true for our VLE and non-VLE versions.

@SamBrooks - Without knowing your school details I can't be sure, but from your description it certainly sounds like it is a version that isn't compatible with Windows 7/Server 2008. If you'd like to get in touch with us directly on 08450 300400 or email [email protected] we will certainly be able to help in getting this working for you. @Steve21 - I understand the need to secure Macros and ActiveX within Office. What we suggest, if you are running Office 2007 or above, is to add the location of the presentations to the Trusted Locations within Office's Trust Centre. This will enable Macros and ActiveX for PowerPoints in these specific folders but keep them disabled for all other locations.

If you haven't done so already, please feel free to get in touch with our Technical Support department by calling 0845 0 300 400. Good luck with it!

We're still taking applications for this post so please get your applications in to [email protected]!

Thanks for your application. If you sent it to [email protected] we will have received it. If your application is successful you'll hear from us after the deadline.

Boardworks is an Oxford-based publisher of digital teaching resources. Our market-leading software is used in over 85% of UK secondary schools! We have an exciting full-time position available for a Network Administrator. The successful candidate will provide strategic management of the network and will have proven experience of the following technologies: Windows Server 2003 Active Directory, DNS, DHCP Exchange 2003 Enterprise backup solution (preferably Backup Exec) Windows XP/7 Experience of the following would be beneficial but not essential: ISA Server SQL Server Avaya IP Office Blackberry Enterprise Server With a deep understanding of IT services, you will be experienced at providing network and systems administration, hardware maintenance and technical support. Working alone, you will be supporting the development team and reporting to the operations department. You will be able to work proactively and independently, and will be able to prioritise your own workload. As well as possessing a high level of technical expertise, you must be efficient and have the ability to communicate clearly and professionally with colleagues and customers alike. To apply, please send a CV and a covering letter stating your current salary to [email protected] by Friday 30th September.