I resolved them - eventually! - by uninstalling fp 9 and reinstalling to fp7. I found a version updated to 7.0.69.0.
I have just had to use system restore for another problem and, in the process, have lost my source for the Flash Player 7.0.69.0 stand alone Netscape and IE installation files.
Does anyone know where they are to be found? I have already spent hours and hours trawling Google searches and I know they're out there somewhere.
Many thanks.