Confused re Sun Java

Hey y'all!
I have been cleaning up the mess in my computer over in Malware, and I am having problems with Java. I'm supposed to "empty the Sun Java cache". I don't know what that is, but I located the coffee cup icon in Control Panel and clicked on it. Nothing happened. I rightclicked and said Open. Nothing happened. When I closed Control Panel there was a message that said C:\ProgramFiles\Java\jre.1.6.0_07\bin\javacpl.exe couldn't be found. When I asked Chaslang he said the file should be there (I had uninstalled all the old versions and downloaded the newest one, I think) and to look for it. When I did a search, the file came up. When I tried to open it, it said I had to extract all the compressed files to make the program work. So I said yes, and chose all the defaults. When it finished, I had a folder called BIN. I went back to Control Panel and tried to open the icon, and there was the message again. Chaslang also suggested I uninstall and then reinstall, or try the new Beta version.

Finally we get to the actual question!!

What is this Beta thing? I don't know ANYTHING about it. When I went to Sun Java's website, I didn't understand anything they were talking about.

I have Windows XP, SP3, with an ordinary computer, i.e. no fancy hardware and basic software.

I have uninstalled whatever Java it was I had, and need some advice. Is it OK to install this Beta thing? Or what other Java thing should I install? JDK 6 Update 7, or JRE 6 Update 7?

Thanks for any help!
Legolass

 

I've got the JRE 6 Update 7, no issues.Win XP SP3.

"Experimental JDK Tools and Utilities
NOTE - The tools described in this section are unsupported and experimental in nature and should be used with that in mind. They might not be available in future JDK versions"

The above from Sun Java Site

http://java.sun.com/javase/6/docs/technotes/tools/index.html

Cheers....

 

Beta indicates a product that's still in testing status. I'm inclined to think you should not install it. You just need the regular Java plug-in for your web browser. You can get it at http://www.java.com/en/ Once successfully installed, you should see Java(TM) 6 Update 7 in your Add or Remove Programs list.

And, it seems you will need to use the removal tool MarkTrent posted to remove remants of previous versions, since you're having problems. I've always just installed the update to Java, which simply adds it in Add or Remove Programs in addition to the previous version, and then removed the old version. I've never had problems with that.

 

Thanks to y'all for your help. I did use the uninstall tool that Mark gave me - it worked! Just in case this is useful to others:-

I still had problems downloading Java - IE told me it had to close, Dr. Watson had to close, then my computer hung. I restarted, tried again, got the same problems, and found the Send Error Report box. I sent it, and it told me I was missing some stuff and sent me to Update. I did that, tried again, and this time it worked.

So now one further question. Chaslang's sticky recommends "emptying the Java cache". I opened Java from the Control Panel (which is what started the whole mess with Java in the first place) and this time (because it's finally installed correctly!!) I got the file to open. But I didn't see anything about a Cache. I don't want to mess around in there because (and you've probably guessed this already) I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I'M DOING and I don't want to mess anything up. So.... how do I empty the Java cache??!!

Thanks for any help!
Legolass

 

I believe the "cache" is the Temporary Internet Files. If you open the Java Control Panel and select the General tab, the lower section of the panel is titled Temporary Internet Files. Click on Settings. Then, click on Delete Files.

I've never used that technique to clear Java cache. I have CCleaner installed and I presume, but have not actually verified, that it clears Java's Temporary Internet Files. However, I seldom visit sites that use Java. If you visit such sites frequently, then perhaps you should use the technique explained my first paragraph.

 

THANK YOU!! I tried that, and it worked. I don't think I use Java much myself, but who knows what my husband does. He's the one that installed it, so I guess he needs it.

Thanks again to y'all. Don't know where I'd be without MG!!

Legolass