Adobe and AOL issue

[DazzleKitty1]

Hey everyone,

When I turned on my computer today, I noticed in my task manager that an unknown program was running that wasn't running at all before (I monitor my start-up files closely). My brother had used the computer ealier, so I think he was responsible.
The processes belonged to a program called Viewpoint Flash Player.   I went to add/remove programs to uninstall it, but the processes were still running. I then went to my program files folders and deleted the last bit of it, which took care of those processes.   I noticed that I've had this program since 2005, but today was the first time it was running like that.

After restarting my computer, I opened AOL and got this pop-up asking me if I wanted to install some Adobe program. I selected install, but each time I open AOL for the first time after a restart/turning on the computer, I get that same popup. I'll select install, but it can't do anything since I'm not actually online at that point. After signing on, it still won't install.  We also already have Adobe and its updates on the computer, so I don't know why it would pop up like that.
I finally realized there were more options, so I selected 'installed all Adobe products without asking' (or something like that), so the pop-up doesn't show up anymore.

But, I really don't like those settings because I always like to be asked first. Is there any way I can get rid of it and change the settings back? Could uninstalling Viewpoint have something to do with this popup?  I'd like to know the cause of it if I can.  Thanks in advance!

[soybean]

Do you mean Viewpoint Media Player?  My Google search finds nothing on "Viewpoint Flash Player".

After restarting my computer, I opened AOL and got this pop-up asking me if I wanted to install some Adobe program.

What Adobe program?

We also already have Adobe and its updates on the computer ...

Adobe what?  Exactly what?

What's the status of Viewpoint in your system now?  Installed or not?

[DazzleKitty1]

Yeah, I meant Viewpoint Media Player. Sorry about that. It's uninstalled.  AOL works fine without it.

I think it was the Adobe video player of some sort. It would ask to install it every time I load AOL.  We already have all Adobe products on our computer, though.

[patio]

There is also a browser flash plugin written by Adobe...this is probably what it was as some web pages need it to load properly...

[DazzleKitty1]

I think we have that on here. I just noticed in the AOL settings that there is a thing you can select to have a warning if Viewpoint is not installed. I wonder if that popup was brought up from that?

As I said, though, I wasn't online when the Adobe install popup came up. It's on the sign-on screen.

When the installation thing came up, I selected to always install Adobe products, or something like that. Is there a way you can go back and undo that?

[DazzleKitty1]

Do you guys know if Viewpoint is probably the reason I was getting that installation popup? It started to happen right after I uninstalled Viewpoint.    
I selected for it to install any Adobe products in the future. Is there a way I can undo that? I like to be asked before installing anything in the future.
Sorry for the annoying questions, guys. I really want to know how to change this, though. There has to be some place on the computer where you can change that, but I can't find it anywhere on the control panel.

[CBMatt]

Although I'm sure you can undo the changes you've made, for the life of me, I can't think of how to do it.  But this popup you're getting is very likely related to uninstalling Viewpoint, as it's the graphics engine for a lot of AOL features.  I would suggest downloading Viewpoint or even reinstalling AOL if you have to.

[DazzleKitty1]

Although I'm sure you can undo the changes you've made, for the life of me, I can't think of how to do it.  But this popup you're getting is very likely related to uninstalling Viewpoint, as it's the graphics engine for a lot of AOL features.  I would suggest downloading Viewpoint or even reinstalling AOL if you have to.

Thank you for the link!
Is it very vital for AOL? I don't use AOL much, but my brother is the one who is doing this and brought the problem to my attention.
My brother used AOL this morning w/o Viewpoint and no problems occured. I'm just really confused as to why it would pop up before we even go online.

Does anyone know if Adobe and Viewpoint are somehow associated with each other?

I'm overly paranoid of computer issues. My last one had to be repaired all the time due to crappy hardware and viruses.

[CBMatt]

As far as I know, it's not very vital.  I think certain things just won't display properly on AOL.  I accidentally uninstalled Viewpoint on my old computer once and it caused the login screen to be gray instead of blue (so maybe the graphics on your login screen are screwed up in some way and that's why you're getting the popup).  But for the most part, I think things still worked.  But I still reinstalled it, just in case.

As for your other question...well, Viewpoint does come installed with certain Adobe products.  I'm not sure which ones, though.  But there does seem to be some sort of tie-in here.

[soybean]

Plenty of info out there: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Viewpoint+Media+Player&btnG=Google+Search

http://forums.spybot.info/showthread.php?t=373 says, in one post, "It's primary use is to assist with online games, if you do not play them, you can remove it along with WildTangent as well."  That same post contained a link to for rnemoval
instructions.

[DazzleKitty1]

I see. I guess I shouldn't worry about it, then. Thank you for your help, guys!

[CBMatt]

Well, certain things might not perform exactly as they should, but you shouldn't have anything to worry about and I doubt you'll really notice much of a difference.