GL_VERSION

I am trying to program Java3D, however I get exceptions on the GL_VERSION (which is 1.1, where i need 1.2+).

Does anyone know how to capture this error or indeed how to prompt the user to download any resources?

Curiously, when im writting Java3D I get this error, but every example applet i run works fine... why?

TIA

[343 byte] By [Triptronicxa] at [2007-10-3 4:00:00]