Can't Install Java

[Branjor]

I tried to download Java but got a message saying that Windows had blocked the download because it could not verify the publisher of the software (!). I have Windows XP Home. I am puzzled. I thought Java was pretty commonly used. Is there any reason why I should heed this message and not download Java? If not, what should I do?

Thanks in advance!

[Branjor]

1. Kick n/t

[RoyGBiv]

2. Question ...

From what site are you trying to download the Java runtime environment? If it's not the Java website itself, it should be.

http://java.com/en/download/index.jsp

Regardless, what do you mean when you say "Windows blocked the download"? Was this blocking done by the web browser, the firewall, or what? Did you by chance get a notice that the security certificate was invalid.expired, or was the download itself completely blocked in the sense you weren't allowed to download it? And by blocked, do you mean you were prevented from downloading and saving it to disc, or did choose the option to execute/open the file, at which time you got the message about the publisher?

Do you by chance have MS anti-spyware running? If so, turn it off, trash it, and get something else. Using it will result in an "unknown publisher" error with Java and prevent its installation unless you jump through some hoops. (MS anti-spyware has other problems, but that's enough.)

Windoze doesn't like you to install drivers and other sorts of software packages that it doesn't officially endorse, and some of these may prompt a "warning" about publishers, particularly if you're about to replace something Windoze does endorse. I get this all the time when I update my graphics drivers, which are 3rd party and not endorsed either by Windoze or ATI but which are perfectly valid and work better than anything delivered by those companies.

I know that's a lot of questions with no real answers, but there's something missing from your description of the problem.

[karlrschneider]

3. Doesn't XP install Java by default? I thought it was included with IE

maybe I'm wrong, I don't use XP...

[RoyGBiv]

4. I don't remember ...

IE does have Javascript support by default, but that's different.

I recall having to install Java runtime to get full java support of some utilities and various web apps, but I don't remember exactly what they are now or what the cirumstances were. Sun Microsystems has a download for Java runtime specifically for Windoze, which suggests this is different than anything Windoze installs by default.

[karlrschneider]

5. I'm sure you're right, I forget the distinction.

I use Netscape which seems to have included it by default. But maybe there are Java components it neglects...

Am I imagining it or are you also in Okla? I have that impression...I am too, if so...just north of Wagoner on Ft. Gibson lake.
;-)


edit: Never mind, just looked at ur profile, IC UR in OKC.
:D

Love your 'comment'...
:evilgrin:

[charlie]

6. Yes, sort of

Their creaky old Java 1.1 came with SP1 until early 2003. SP1 and SP2 since don't have it, but won't remove it if already installed. For a quick check, type 'jview' at the command line. If Java's there, you'll get the arguments list.

[Branjor]

7. I tried to download it from java.com

All spyware was turned off. I do have a firewall but have no idea whether or not this blocked the download.

The message was headed "AOL-Security Warning" and underneath that it said "Windows has blocked this software because it can't verify the publisher. Name:jinstall-1_5_05windows-1586.cab, Publisher: Unknown Publisher."

The software was blocked before it could even download. I use Windows XP Home.

[Branjor]

8. Kick n/t

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

9. Java has an interesting history (may have a small bearing)

Java was created by Sun Microsystems, and set up for cross-platform use (this means it can be run with equal ease via Windoze, Mac, Linux, etc.). Microsoft at one point began rewriting the code so it would work only within Windoze, but due to the original licensing Sun sued the pants off of Bill "What, me worry?" Gates, and so in a hissy MS declared Windoze would simply no longer support java, and they stopped including it in their installs. They stopped supplying their so-called "virtual machine" which is just another name for java.

So now the easiest way is to download it directly from Sun.

Since you're using AOL, I don't doubt you're having trouble (AOL is nothing but a gigantic virus all by itself). Here's the trick: after you log on, simply minimize AOL and open up Internet Explorer. Yes, it still works, even via AOL. You can then go to the download site and download it via IE, bypassing all the AOL guardian crap.

Once downloaded, you can shut IE and log off AOL, and then install the package.

[Branjor]

10. Hi....

Thanks for answering. I tried what you said - minimized AOL and attempted the download via internet explorer. IE also stopped the download - a "yellow information bar" on the top of the page said "To help protect your security, Internet Explorer stopped this site from installing an AciveX control on your computer. Click here for options..."

One of the options was to install the ActiveX control anyway, but I do not want to do that until I know exactly what I am doing, why this may be a "threat to my security."

When I had my old OS, Windoze ME, I apparently had java. The only reason I want it now is to play on this old website I used to play on called Kaleidoscope Painter, http://www.permadi.com/java/spaint.html.

The funny thing is that I also did "AOL Computer Checkup" and the results of that directed me to the java webpage from which the download was subsequently blocked!

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

11. Not a problem

Go here: http://www.java.com/en/download/manual.jsp and download the Windows Offline Installation file, which is the full 15.67mb package. There should be no active-x control involved, as it's a straight download (I proved it just now by doing the download. No active-x warning appeared.)

Personally, I would just allow the installation of the control, because you're not going to get anything bad from the Sun Microsystems web site. It would honk off a LOT of people worldwide.

[Branjor]

12. Yay!!

Finally, it worked! Thank you! Kaleidoscope Painter is operational. I did the Windows Offline installation.

Anyway - what, pray tell, IS an ActiveX control? Why would the website install it if it is not necessary to the operation of the file being downloaded? Do I lose anything by not having it?

This is my first computer and I have been learning everything from scratch. When one knows nothing at all about computing, it is scary to get 500 warnings about how some download may harm my computer or threaten security - scary enough for me to stop and ask for advice. I am slowly learning what to pay attention to warning wise and what not to.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

13. See this site for a quickie definition (with links)

http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/A/ActiveX_control.html

ActiveX control

A control using ActiveX technologies. An ActiveX control can be automatically downloaded and executed by a Web browser. ActiveX is not a programming language, but rather a set of rules for how applications should share information. Programmers can develop ActiveX controls in a variety of languages, including C, C++, Visual Basic, and Java.

An ActiveX control is similar to a Java applet. Unlike Java applets, however, ActiveX controls have full access to the Windows operating system. This gives them much more power than Java applets, but with this power comes a certain risk that the applet may damage software or data on your machine. To control this risk, Microsoft developed a registration system so that browsers can identify and authenticate an ActiveX control before downloading it. Another difference between Java applets and ActiveX controls is that Java applets can be written to run on all platforms, whereas ActiveX controls are currently limited to Windows environments.

Related to ActiveX is a scripting language called VBScript that enables Web authors to embed interactive elements in HTML documents.