Question About A Java Download

[Mitchell]

Dear Myriads,

I would appreciate if you could help me with a question about a Java download. I know that Java is required to get into the chatroom, and it seems that my java is working okay, and I am able to get into the chat. Today, as I was working on my computer, and left it for a little bit, as it went into sleep mode, I received notification that it wanted me to do a Java 2 runtime environment download, which is the normal application required for me to get into the chat. I tried doing the download, and the computer would not do it. I had to abort, and thought maybe it would affect my being able to get into the chat. I tried getting into the chat, and was still able to get in there. My question is this: Why, if I did not ask for a java download, or seek one out from Sun Microsystems, as I do when my Java goes bad, would I receive notifcation requesting a download, if all my applications are working fine, I do not seemingly have any java problems, and can get into the chat? Iam completely clueless, and any advice that you, Jeff, or any of the tech staff can give me regarding this issue, would be appreciated. Thank You.

Mitch

 

[Myriads]

No idea. Computers often decide they want something on their own. Probably a scan detected some error and it asked you to update. My attitude is if it still works then I leave it alone!

Myraids

 

[venray]

Same thing happened to me 2 days ago. I hit the link to the chat and my java prompted me for a DL and then added an icon to my tool bar....

That has never happened before....

Mitch...are you on aol? It may be something to do with that...

 

[Mitchell]

Thank you for the feedback, Myriads, and venray,. Ray, to answer your question, yes, Iam on AOL. In fact, my AOL went bad a few days ago, and I was forced to reformat and reload the AOL program via a disk. It seems fine now, but perhaps what Ray suggested could be the problem.
Thanks again to both of you. The problem I had seems ok the last couple of days since I posted this, but I didnt have a clue why it did happen, so I figured I would inquire from someone who might know better then me about this issue.

Mitch

 

[venray]

Mine went down a bit today Mitch so I did a sys restore and everything is fine again....

 

[Mitchell]

Glad to hear everything is fine, ray. System restore is needed sometimes. Pesky computers! LOL! Take care.

Mitch

 

[cinnabar]

Check out this url, this might help...

http://www.java.com/en/download/help/java_update.xml

It sounds like the Java auto-updater thingie, when you install Java it will automatically check every once in a while to see if you have the latest version of Java installed, and if not, will ask you if you would like to update.

 

[Mitchell]

Thank you, darkgem. Those screens shown in the demonstration, are exactly what the screens I got on Thursday looked like. I ignored them, but may download an update at some point. That is a good link for me to have, should I ever need it. Thanks again.

Mitch

 

[cinnabar]

Thank you, darkgem. Those screens shown in the demonstration, are exactly what the screens I got on Thursday looked like. I ignored them, but may download an update at some point. That is a good link for me to have, should I ever need it. Thanks again.

Mitch

No problem, glad to help! From what I understand it really is just to keep your Java version up to date, kind of like the Windows Update thing.

 

[MistressValerie]

I disable automatic updates whenever possible because they often cause problems.

At one tech forum I frequent, they recommend that when a new Java release is issued, it's best to uninstall your current Java (from Add/Remove Programs), reboot, download the installer from their website, http://java.sun.com/j2se/ and then run the installer from your desktop to ensure a clean upgrade. Following this procedure has resulted in the least amount of trouble for me.

Cheers,
V

 

[Mitchell]

Thank you, Valerie. Your advice is appreciated. I will check out what you suggested.

Mitch