Java versions

Question

Java versions

My laptop is running MacOS 10.5.8. When I go to the terminal window and type "java -version", it tells me I am running Java 1.6.0_17.

My desktop is also running MacOS 10.5.8. When I go to the terminal window and type "java -version", it tells me I am running Java 1.5.0_22.

Both computers are of fairly recent vintage (desktop is about 1 year old, laptop is about 6 months old), and both have been kept up to date with Software Update.

When I go to Java Preferences on the desktop, I see Java SE 6, and the box next to it is checked.

Why the difference?

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Apr 5, 2010 5:51 AM

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Answer 1

Apr 5, 2010 10:48 AM in response to Robert Grossman

HI Robert,

Perfectly normal. Information here re the Java 1.6.0_17 update

http://support.apple.com/kb/dl972

The Desktop... go to your Apple Menu / Software Updates.

As long as your Macs are running ok, you're fine. Apple will tell you when a Java update is available.

When I go to Java Preferences on the desktop, I see Java SE 6, and the box next to it is checked.

That is correct.

Carolyn 🙂

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Answer 2

Apr 5, 2010 6:04 PM in response to Carolyn Samit

I asked this question because my desktop and laptop are behaving differently with respect to an applet.

On my laptop, running MacOS 10.5.8, Safari 4.0.5, if I go to http://128.163.140.67:9080/epoch-plugin/public/mechmarvin.jsp, the applet there fails to load. In the Java console, I see a java.lang.ClassNotFoundException.

However, on my desktop, running MacOS 10.4.11, Safari 4.0.5, if I go to the same site, the applet loads successfully.

Both my desktop and laptop successfully load exactly the same applet at http://epoch.chem.uky.edu/epoch-plugin/public/mechmarvin.jsp. One difference between the two sites is that one server is running Tomcat 6, the other is running Tomcat 5.

My desktop has only up through Java 1.5. My laptop has through Java 1.6. I tried to disable Java 1.6 in my laptop through the Java Preferences/General panel, but it had no effect, even after I emptied the Java cache and the browser cache.

Any ideas what could be going wrong on my laptop?

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