Magento: product images and product image browse and upload buttons disappeared from backend

I have installed some extension yesterday ( via ftp). it caused some errors so i flushed the cache ( manually and via backend). problem persisted, so i removed the extension ( file by file and folder by folder). however, it appears that it has already left an issue that proved to be difficult to solve. The issue i am having now is that product images backend under prodcut images tab are gone (not visible). also the "Browse" and "Upload" buttons have also disappeared. however, product images under products grid and in the frontend are still visible with no issues. I have googled this issue and read some support forums with some suggested solutions like fixing folders and files permissions, running the command line via SSH, reindexing and clearing the cache over and over via backend and manually. all solutions fell short. i already have Dull Uploader installed but i don't want to use it because it conflicts with some other more important extension that my website relies heavily on. so i really need the images back and I really need the buttons of the flash "Browse" and "Upload" to reappear again. I know that the solution shouldn't require major coding or customization, hence the budget is not a lot. thanks for bidding ( Please see attached screenshots for reference)