Java Upgrade? Now what?

Java 2 Runtime Env. SE Version 1.4.2_03

Upgraded to:

Jave 2 SE Runtime Env. 5.0 Update 1

I installed the update but have not uninstalled the former. Everything appears to be working all right. Should I leave well enough alone? Thanks.

 

James,

It's best to uninstall the existing version before installing the update. However, you can go ahead and uninstall the 1.4.1_03 using Add/Remove.

Once you uninstall, check your Java settings to ensure that the correct Version is shown. The General | About Tab will give you the Version #.

Start | Settings | Control Panel | Java
Click on the Advanced Tab
Expand the <APPLET> Tag Support and check both IE and Mozilla/Netscape


Ramona

 

Oh no... I think I'm ******* now. I uninstalled the older version of Java and then opened the settings and did as you mentioned, Ramona. It says that it is unable to change browser settings and to check that Mozilla is installed on the system and to check if I have sufficient permission to change the settings. I'm the only one to ever use the computer.. it has only one profile... and Firefox is certainly installed.

So... should I just ignore it and forget about checking the Mozilla setting in the Applet? Or do I have to uninstall and re-install? Or should I forget about the whole she-bang! Oyyyyyy

 

James,

Have no fear, you're just fine. Since you have Firefox and not Mozilla or Netscape, Java is whining... To ensure that it is working, go to this test site: http://java.com/en/download/help/testvm.xml
Scroll down the page a bit until you see "The Duke ". If Java is working then you will see the Duke boogie!

If he isn't dancing, then do this:
Copy the following files from: C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0\bin

NPJava11.dll
NPJava12.dll
NPJava13.dll
NPJava14.dll
NPJava32.dll
NPJPI150.dll
NPOJI610.dll

and paste them into your Firefox plugins folder here:
C:\Program Files\firefox\plugins

Ramona

 

Thanks, Ramona. Unfortunately it didn't work. I guess it means uninstall and re-install?

 

still doesn't work...even after uninstalling and re-installing. This really stinks.

 

James,

When you uninstall then do you reboot your PC? By doing so, it allows the system to update the files. Uninstall Java, reboot, install again, copy the *.dll files I listed to the plugins folder, then start Firefox.

Clear the Location Bar, and type: aboutlugins
Is Java listed?

Now do the Java test.

Ramona

 

I know nothing about Netscape/Mozilla/Firefox, but offer the following comments about Sun's Java--based on no great undestanding of it, either.
1) The Sun download sites are very confusing as to what version of Java a person should download.
2) The latest version of the 1.4.2 series of Java JRE (Java Runtime Environment) is 1.4.2_07 and you get it here
http://www.java.com/en/download/windows_automatic.jsp
My understanding is that the 1.4.2 series is for the casual user.
3) If you are a developer, the latest JRE version is 5.0 (AKA 1.5) and can be gotten here
http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.5.0/download.jsp
((4) Going back to statement one, look at all the other Java versions and platforms you can download
http://java.sun.com/downloads/index.html )
Perhaps James would be best off by uninstalling whatever Java JRE he now has and downloading and installing JRE 1.4.2_07--unless, of course Netscape/Mozilla/Firefox requires something else.
If I have said something incorrect, I would welcome being educated.

 

Thanks, Ramona and Welshjim

I did exactly what Welshjim suggested.. uninstalled the 5.0 and downloaded and installed 1.4.2_07. Everything is now working... finally. Thank you so much.

And you're right, Welshjim. Sun's site is extremely difficult to understand and navigate.

 

Jim,

Thanks for the excellent advice!

James,

Is your OS Windows XP SP2? Just curious, as Java 5.0 didn't work for you.

Ramona

 

Hi Ramona

Yes... Win XP SP2.

 

James --Thanks for posting back. Always good to learn what works. Just a lucky guess on my part.
I hate to admit it, but I run JRE 5.0 (AKA 1.5.0) on Internet Explorer 6.0/XP SP2 and it works fine. And I am no "developer ". Most importantly, if JRE 1.4.2_07 works for you, I see no reason to "update" further.

 

Thanks again, Welshjim. You say you are using IE 6. How come? I'm just curious... given its limitations, why would you choose to run IE as your browser? I'm also curious.... if you do use a Mozilla browser, which one do you use? Have you thrown in the towel on Netscape?

 

James--I only use IE now. Some years ago, I tried Netscape. It was always freezing up.
I know that now it is fashionable to use Firefox, but
1) I have set up many security settings/programs installed and practice safe surfing and emailing
2) You need IE to use some sites (most importantly Windows Update)
3) Now that Firefox is becoming more popular, it, also, is becoming the subject of spyware infiltration, etc.
4) I see very few limitations in IE and am comfortable with it, but since I have not tried anything else for years, maybe I do not know what I am missing.

 

Thanks, Welshjim. It was just a curiosity of mine. Obviously you're more knowledgeable than I and I try to learn from those who have more expertise (i.e. Ramona) than I. I've bookmarked a site that will enable me to beef up the security on IE 6 in order that when I do have to use it, I'll at least be relatively secure.

I really rely on tabbed browsing so I would miss Netscape/Mozilla/Firefox (whichever). I also love being able to skin these browsers to an extent and adding some extensions. What I'm really waiting for is the day that I can re-install Netscape 7 and feel relatively secure in using it on a daily basis. Until then I use Firefox but only begrudgingly.

Thanks for the information.

 

James,
you should have heard, by now, that Netscape7.2 is not going to be brought up to snuff by AOL. The new Netscape Browser which is in Prototype or beta phase, will be based on Firefox1.0. But, I dread to see the final product.

 

This really is a crusher, Westside. I had not heard this. Seriously... I thought that a patch would be forthcoming for the vulnerabilities but now you say... no way?! I tried to apply for the Netscape prototype but arrived too late. So, I imagine I am stuck with Firefox until the prototype becomes available for the public OR it's download the Mozilla suite (which as you know, I've avoided). Besides, 1.7.5 is supposed to be upgraded soon so why bother? Right?

So... we're back to the old question... just how vulnerable is someone who continues to use Netscape 7.2? I see many in the "other" forum with Netscape 7, 7.1 and 7.2 who don't appear to be all that concerned. If I were to do my banking with Firefox... my purchases with Firefox... couldn't I use Netscape 7.2 and be relatively safe?

 

AOL owns Netscape, and they do not aloow, as it seems, the release of the files necessary to make any changes. You have to face, Netscape is more than a branded Mozilla. Apparently AOL, after shedding its Netscape division, does not have, aboard, people who could modify an existing Mozilla (1.7.5). The policy of Netscape has never been to issue patches, although, in some cases, this should be possible, but rather go for the entire download. So, if AOL does not think much in a future for a later Mozilla suite, why should they bother?
But, apparently, they recognized that there is merit to the idea of developing a Netscape Browser, based on Mozilla Firefox. A separate Mail Client, probably based on Thunderbird should come next. And, all this work is being contracted out to a third party software company. And, efforts are made to make this program capable of handling all sites like IE, if necessary (I suggested this to AOL two years ago when they were developing an AOL based on the gecko engine, but no one knew how to do it, so AOL went IE-based all the way). The purists do not like the feature, but it is necessary, in some cases, and it works.
As for vulnerability, what can I say? I am not concerned, mainly because I present a moving target, using any of Netscape, Mozilla1.7.5 or Firefox1.0.
And, I don't store any critical information on my computer. Vulnerabilities exist, but, I said this before, it does not mean that anyone has even attempted to hit such browsers with malicious intents. I use any browser,to bank, entering the information, and I am not concerned since the transactions are encrypted. If the bank site is hit, nothing would help, and I would not be responsible. By the way Moz1.7.5 has the same engine as Firefox1.0, both of which should be update, soon, to included an extremely useful anti-phishing fix.
As for our mutual dislike of the Mozilla dragon, there is no problem. Just add -quiet to the shortcut target, and you will avoid any splash screen (the yellow-orange is also ugly). I use the Skypilot theme, so I don't need to see the dragon either. You will find a few icons on the hard drive, but you do not need to seek them. Firefox1.0 is my default browser.
I think that this should cover it!