I have an x86_64 install of SuSE 10.0. I came across Flashplayer 7.0.63.0 and Firefox aboutlugins said I had a much older release 7.0.25. I downloaded the new tarball and tried the install which told me the installer doesn't run on x86_64. My firefox 1.5.0.2 was installed from a tarball so I'd think it is 64 bit. I did web due diligence and all I found implies that Firefox and flashplayer don't run 64 bit. I looked on my system to see what was there and got the following command line results:

fragos@linux:~> locate flashplayer
/home/fragos/.mozilla/plugins/flashplayer.xpt
/home/fragos/.mozilla/plugins/libflashplayer.so
/usr/lib/browser-plugins/flashplayer.xpt
/usr/lib/browser-plugins/libflashplayer.so
fragos@linux:~> cd .mozilla/plugins
fragos@linux:~/.mozilla/plugins> ls
flashplayer.xpt libflashplayer.so
fragos@linux:~/.mozilla/plugins> ls -l
total 2054
-rw-r--r-- 1 fragos users 856 2004-05-20 14:34 flashplayer.xpt
-rwxr-xr-x 1 fragos users 2096844 2004-05-20 14:34 libflashplayer.so
fragos@linux:~/.mozilla/plugins> cd /usr/lib/browser-plugins
fragos@linux:/usr/lib/browser-plugins> ls -l
total 2186
-r--r--r-- 1 root root 856 2005-12-08 16:44 flashplayer.xpt
-rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 2154768 2005-12-08 16:44 libflashplayer.so
-rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 63076 2006-03-15 05:34 nphelix.so
-rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 5086 2006-03-15 05:34 nphelix.xpt
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 52 2006-01-31 21:43 nppdf.so -> ../../X11R6/lib/Acrobat7/Browser/intellinux/nppdf.so
fragos@linux:/usr/lib/browser-plugins>

Two different versions of the flashplayer lib, one which is the same size as ver 7.0.63.0 that I wanted to use.

1. Which of those libraries is firefox using?
2. Are they 32 bit?
3. Can a 32 bit lib work with a 64 bit ap?
3. Can I just copy the lib from the new tarball to one of those directories?

I'm still new to an x86_64 machine and find the apparent mixing of of 32 and 64 bit software a bit confusing. I'd appreciate any help through my fog.

AFAIK, you cannot use 32 bit plugins with 64 bit apps. You should install a 32 bit Firefox if you want Flash.

Although I still seek answers to my questions, I tried an experiment and copies the new lib to the .mozilla firefox folder and Firefox still works. I tried aboutlugins and indeed the version was now 63. I went to the macromedia home page and their front page flash worked without a flaw.