can't download new Java version

I've read the current Java update threads from start to finish, and I have to confess that I'm still confused.
I'm in the process of downloading JRE 5.0 update 2 (as opposed to JDK 5.0 update 2, because I'm strictly a Java USER, not a developer -- is my rationale valid here?), for Windows Offline installation. OK, I take that back - apparently StarDownloader (my download manager) is not "approved" for downloading the file, so I'm not downloading anything just yet...
So first things first, I guess. Does anyone know if the Sun Download Manager is ad/spyware-free? I just tried downloading it, and I'm getting the same "cannot contact host" message that I got when I tried downloading the update itself. I have no trouble downloading anything else, so I doubt that it's my settings that are off. Suggested solutions to THIS problem?

 

rebecca--Try downloading jre-1_5_0_02-windows-i586-p.exe without using any download manager. (That is what I did.) If no problems, then just forget the problem you are now having using Star. It could just be some incompatibility specific to JRE or the sun.com site.

 

I'm feeling a bit stupid here, but I don't know how to de-activate my download manager. How can I get FF's own downloader to take over?

 

rebecca

using FF I can just click on the link and Save the file - from what you say your download manager has usurped that function?

Hmmm - cannot contact host + you can download other things. Perhaps their site on the blink, or overloaded with everybody else downloading at the moment

I tried it here just now & got through OK

I'm not sure how to unplug your download manager... but you shouldn't really need a download manager to get this file surely?

==

what happens if you try with IE?

With IE: click on link, choose "Save to Disk "

maybe I'm being thick and your download manager has taken over IE as well - if so, apologies in advance

best wishes, HJ

 

It is a moot point if you don't know how to deactivate the downloader. It must be somewhere in the properties of your program.
As for Firefox, it should be more or less an automatic setup. Check Tools|Options|Downloads.
As for Java, I ended up downloading and installing the developer's version. But, the properties of the Java, indicating an automatic download, which I got, without knowing, only three days ago. So, I uninstalled the developer version.
If you do not know how to check the properties of the automatic download go to Start|Control Panel|Other Control Panel Options|Java|Updates.
You can have an automatic download there, or you can do it manually. But, it will help if you had a version of the same kind, before. You should uninstall previous versions

 

Thanks, fellas!
If the icons on the main StarDownloader screen were any bigger, they woulda bitten me. All that was registering when I first contemplated it were the text choices (file, categories, downloads, view, help) - once I opened my brain as well as my eyes, I found an Options icon that let me change my "integration" settings - et voilà, download manager de-activated!
jre-1_5_0_02-windows-i586-p.exe file is now successfully downloading without any apparent problems.

Next question:
I uninstalled my last version of Sun Java, and ran RegSeeker looking for "Sun Java" entries (and deleted the single entry that showed up). But when I run "Search" for Sun Java, I still see the following:
1) a JAVA folder and a Sun folder in C:\WINDOWS;
2) a "Sun" folder in C:\WINDOWS\Application Data, and a "Java" folder within THAT (and a folders named "javaws" and "javapi" within the Java folder).

Should all of those folders/files still be there?
Thanks,

 

rebecca

glad you tamed the downloader thing & got the file - nice one

==

what you found left behind is the Java "cache" - plenty of discussion (and confusion) about that going on in other threads at the moment

trying to nutshell it for you: the cache contains the applets etc. which you have collected from browsing websites which use Java. These applets are saved on your machine, so that next time you visit these sites you don't need to download them again. A bit like Temporary Internet Files, if you like.

The applets held in the cache are left behind when you uninstall your old Java - the idea is that they will work with your new Java

the cache can be cleared out, or disabled altogether - which means that on a revisit to the sites you have to download the applets again. Which will slow you down a little bit.

The largest file I have found in my Java cache is ~70kB, so on my 56k dialup I "save" about 15 seconds by leaving the cache enabled, each time I revisit that website. Not a lot really.

(perhaps you might want to check the sizes of the files in your cache before deciding whether you want to run with it enabled or disabled)

==

It's not uncommon to find files in the Java cache which trigger AntiVirus software - these are "exploits" rather than viruses; their primary target is not Sun Java, but earlier versions of Microsoft Java.

such AV alerts are really "false positives" - because this exploit code has no adverse effect on Sun Java.

(people using Microsoft Java who have visited WindowsUpdate are also not at risk)

(people who use Microsoft Java but haven't been to WindowsUpdate are at risk of picking up scams like CoolWebSearch or worse... and end up posting HijackThis logs in the spyware forum)

HTH and best wishes, HJ

 

Hi rebecca,

I agree with most of HJ's reply to you except one important thing. Go inside your new Java & empty the cache & disable it because it has been the source of trojan infections (just by visiting sites without clicking) in past java versions & is the target of hackers to break again on the current version. On broadband you won't notice any difference. On dialup there may be as HJ said a small speed difference only when entering some sites (I think you may not even notice it & you'll be more secure).

Trojans that have entered PCs through the java cache enabled are quite dangerous. Their installer stays behind in the java 'sandbox' & is found by some ATs & AVs but even if you clean by deleting the cache, they can have installed other files that are now in different locations & not easily detected (including non trojan & non virus general malware).

 

I have no problem disabling my Java cache (well, with the concept of doing it, at any rate - actually doing it may be another story!). I don't often see the Java icon show up in my system tray, which I think probably means I don't use Java too often.
What I'm wondering, though, is whether I can just delete the aforementioned folders/files left over from when I uninstalled the last version. I haven't installed the new version yet, and when I do, I like the idea of starting clean. As far as I'm concerned, there's nothing I can think of that I would need to save from before... I just don't want to delete the files/folders, and then find out that I've somehow messed up my computer [yet again!].
Thanks for the feedback!

 

rebecca

although deleting the files and folders most probably won't hurt, unless you purge any references to them in your registry you won't have got your computer back to the same state it was in before the java was installed

so I'd advise against the "pruning" - there would be (at least) a chance that the new install would find old registry entries, which wouldn't be pointing at valid paths any more...

not saying that it would cause trouble - but if you wish to err on the side of safety, probably better to leave the old files / folders where they are

Think of the way the installer would be expecting to find your computer - either pristine, or with the (expected) leftovers from an older version...

..finding your machine the way it expects => best chance that things will go smoothly

best wishes, HJ

 

I believe you should delete them. I strongly doubt (without guarantee) any problem from that. At minimum, first open your old java & empty the cache.

 

rebecca,

If you're that concerned about deleting, then either rename, or move the folders/files to a temporary folder on your HDD. Once you see that everything is running as it should, then you can delete the leftovers from the last install.

Ramona

 

Excellent advice!