Newbie needs general help w/Java Updating
Hi,
I don't use Java (as far as I know) too often, but right now I've got Java 5_6 update on my computer. I've been told that's unstable and I should update to Java 6. I was also told I should remove 5_6 Update with add/remove programs before doing so. I was also told I should remove the three Java "objects" in the Downloaded Program Files Folder before doing so (which is an IE thing, right?). But I was also told to go and download Java 6 directly from the Sun site and install, but I'm not sure if that's necessary or the way I want to do it, because I have the option to check for updates in the Java Control Panel that comes up when I double click the Java icon in my Control Panel folder.
Questions:
1. The three java objects in the downloaded objects folder are in a folder that's part of IE, is that right? I don't use IE (except for Windows Updates), I use Firefox. So where are the objects kept for Firefox?
2. Do I really need to also remove these objects in addition to add/removing 5_6 Update? If so, for both IE and Firefox?
3. When I go to my Control Panel, there is an icon for JAVA. When I double-click this icon, a JAVA CONTROL PANEL opens up. If I remove 5_6 Update and those objects, will that also remove this control panel? The control panel was part of my system when I got my laptop.
4. If the Java Control Panel is retained, then why can't I just go to the second tab which is for Updates, choose "Update Now" and get the Java 6 update that way? (And this would be AFTER I remove 5_6 -- and any objects, IF that's necessary.)
It's my hope that I can just update to Java 6 (after removing the 5_6 update and objects, if necessary) by using the update feature in the Java Control Panel instead of downloading Java 6 from the Sun site. If this is not a good idea, I would like to understand why.
Any help is appreciated -- thanks!
Don't install or update anything.And find the "someone" who keeps giving you this sort of advice and kick them in the pants for advising people on stuff they don't understand.
Thanks for the post. So J2SE Runtime Environment 5.0 Update 6 (which is apparently what I have now) *is* stable, and it's false that it has security holes that can be exploited, and there's no reason for me to update in any way (using the Java control panel, even without removing anything first)?
Just want to verify... thanks!
> Thanks for the post. So J2SE Runtime Environment 5.0
> Update 6 (which is apparently what I have now) *is*
> stable
It's reasonably stable. There are bugs in it, of course. There are always bugs in software. Unless you're having problems with them, however, you don't automatically need to update.
The list of changes between that release of Java 5 and the latest (1.5.11 at the time of writing) is given here:
http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.5.0/ReleaseNotes.html
> , and it's false that it has security
> holes that can be exploited
That's a completely different question. I can't promise you that there are no security flaws that have been fixed since that particular update. However, unless you're running a server or downloading applets or otherwise running in a security constrained environment there's not much point in worrying about it. Again, if there is a specific reason for you to worry check the bugs and enhancement lists here to see if your concerns are addressed:
http://java.sun.com/javase/6/webnotes/index.html
Either way you don't update just because someone says you should unless you have reason to believe they know what they're talking about. I suggest you ask your original source to explain why they think you should upgrade and to provide you with the evidence to back up their assertions.
> Either way you don't update just because someone says
> you should unless you have reason to believe they
> know what they're talking about. I suggest you ask
> your original source to explain why they think you
> should upgrade and to provide you with the evidence
> to back up their assertions.
Okay, I was provided with a link to the security issue:
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/22085
...so with that in mind, I guess I should update? If so, it would be great if you could answer the questions in my first post, so I can know exactly what I need to do and why.
Here's a couple more:
5. Somone else told me that I should update first (I don't know if they meant through the Java Control Panel) then remove 5_6 in add/remove programs. Is that okay and/or better?
6. Is there any way to check to make sure I haven't been "compromised" in any way from this vulnerability? Or should I just not worry about it?
Thanks for the help -- looking forward to hearing back!
Okay, I got it all settled and installed. 6 is up and running.
Are you using JVMs to run Applets? If not don't bother. If you are, just upgrade to the latest 1.5 JVM (1.5.11).
I don't know what I'm using it for. I don't go out of my way to use it. I was told that many websites and message boards use it and that I should have it (since I was considering just removing it not installing the newest version).
I have already removed 5_6 and downloaded and installed 6. Should I have not done that? Why is 5_11 better?
I did read that Firefox (which is what I use) had some issue with versions of 5 and that it was supposed to be fixed in 6. When I went to the test page in Firefox, with 6 installed, I had no issues.
Thoughts?
What is the difference between Java Runtime Environment Version 5.0 Update 11 and Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 6?
In addition, can you also let me know about this:
http://forum.java.sun.com/thread.jspa?threadID=5153207&tstart=0
Thanks so much!
Message was edited by:
caffeine_free
