I keep getting messages suggesting that I need to install flash to see content
on sites, but I have it installed already. I've installed the standalone
version but it hasn't helped- many other sites just redirect me to install
flash- like they can't tell that it is installed. Some sites give the little
pop up blocker signal so I can disable it on them, but others don't give the
pop up so I can't allow content from those sites. Any suggestions?:confused;

I belive it's a bug everyone has been having trouble with and is taking a while
for Macromedia to fix.
My advise to you is do not try any more trouble shooting steps on your
computer if you are using Internet Exploer as it will be a wast of your time
like it was for many others having same problem.
It is not you nor your computer it is Macromedi's bug in the software.