New HD failed.... could it be related to Jave problems? And uninstalling really old java files...

Ensatina wrote:

I was having problems with freezing aps so I ran disk utilities.

A lot of Java permissions were not working so I tried to fix them, but they could not all be fixed.

Were any of them listed in Disk Utility's Repair Disk Permissions messages that you can safely ignore?

Shortly after that, my new 2 mo old hard drive failed. Could the two be related?

No.

since I didn't know what I was doing.... ( a while ago) I have a lot of old system folders in my document folder and there are old java files: java class & java JAR and JavaScript scripts in there....the oldest is 1996!!

How did they get there? Normally they would be in a folder at the root level of your hard drive called "Previous Systems". In any case, I can't imagine that any of it could be in use while they are in a Documents folder, so I would trash them.

is there a better way to uninstall old java items?

I've never run across any old java items, except for the afore mentioned Previous System folder.

Ensatina wrote:

I was wondering about an uninstaller in case there are some invisible files...

If you mean an uninstaller for Apple Java, no there isn't any. In fact it's almost impossible to remove all of it, especially in older OS X's where it's tightly integrated with the System files. Each time you update Java most, if not all of it is replaced. Best to leave it alone, up-to-date and disabled if you don't need it.

If you mean some other software that use those old java files, an uninstaller would not be able to find them after you moved them into Documents.

If you must use Java do so with caution and only with trusted sites.

The full story:

Apple barred Java from running on Macs, leaving companies that rely on Java plug-ins out in the cold.

Apple blocked Java 7 Update 11 by adding it to the banned list in XProtect.

This was the second time in two weeks that Apple has blocked Oracle's code from running on Macs. This time Java is blocked through Apple's XProtect anti-malware feature.

Java has come under fire as the means by which hackers have been able to gain control of computers. In April 2012 more than 600,000 Macs were reported to have been infected with a Flashback Trojan horse that was being installed on people's computers with the help of Java exploits. Then in August Macs were again at risk due to a flaw in Java, this time around, there was good news for Mac users: Thanks to changes Apple has made, most of us were safe from the threat.

Unwilling to leave its customers open to potential threats Apple decided it's safer to block Java entirely.

Macs running OS X Snow Leopard and beyond are affected.

UPDATE for those running Lion or Mountain Lion:

Oracle on Friday February 1 released a new version reportedly addressing vulnerabilities seen with the last build.

Apple disabled Java 7 through the OS X XProtect anti-malware system, requiring users to have at least version "1.7.0_10-b19" installed on their Macs. The release dated February 1 carries the designation "1.7.0_13-b20," meeting Apple's requirements.

Oracle "strongly recommends" applying the CPU fixes as soon as possible, saying that the latest Critical Patch Update contains 50 new security fixes across all Jave SE products.

Update for Snow Leopard users:

Apple have issued update 12 for Java for OS 10.6:

http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1573

Note: On systems that have not already installed Java for Mac OS X 10.6 update 9 or later, this update will configure web browsers to not automatically run Java applets. Java applets may be re-enabled by clicking the region labeled "Inactive plug-in" on a web page. If no applets have been run for an extended period of time, the Java web plug-in will deactivate.

Further update:

Apple issued this Java related security update No. 13 on February 19:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5666

How to remove Java - and why:

http://www.macworld.com/article/2028900/how-to-disable-java-on-your-mac.html#tk. nl_mwhelp

Klaus1 wrote:

How to remove Java - and why:

http://www.macworld.com/article/2028900/how-to-disable-java-on-your-mac.html#tk. nl_mwhelp

Just for the record, I think that this is overkill and likely to cause more problems than it solves. Apple has provided adequate protection now by disabling the dangerous parts of Java automatically. Chances are that new users have installed Java because they need it now, so following these instructions will just complicate their lives unnecessarily.

Don't worry about that - you're welcome! 🙂

Ensatina wrote:

I do like knowing as much as possible so that I can make up my own mind.

Then be sure to read the comments under Rich Mogull's article since most agree that it's unnecessary.