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After installing "Java for OS X 2013-004" update, Java apps don't work anymore as expected

After installing "Java for OS X 2013-004" update, Java apps don't work anymore as expected.


Windows of Swing apps don't display all GUI elements.


After replacing System/Library/Java from a Time MAchine Backup, everything works normal again.


Is this update corrupted?

Java-OTHER, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4), Java for OS X 2013-004

Posted on Jun 18, 2013 3:19 PM

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40 replies

Jun 18, 2013 10:43 PM in response to hpp23

10.6.8 macbookpro

The "Java for Mac OS X 10.6 Update 16" has broken one of my important java-based programs, Geneious (DNA sequence analysis program). The company is working on a fix but there may be people on this list that can offer a solution (other than use TM).

Symptoms: only part of the start-up window appears, then buttons are missing on the main work window, noe of the visible buttons work, and then you can't quit, as the quit button doesn't respond. Just have to force quit to exit.

I tried the usual things: repair permissions (disk utility), restart, deleting files in cache (java pref pane option). Nothing worked.

Jun 19, 2013 3:53 AM in response to hpp23

Any time there is a Java update, old Java apps/applets that aren't written to modern specs may stop working. That's just one of the many hazards of using Java. In addition to the constant stream of vulnerabilities that cause Java in the web browser to be the number one source of malware, of course.


The recommendation from hpp23 to restore Java from Time Machine may work (I'm not 100% sure), but keep in mind that you will be using an older version of Java with vulnerabilities that have been publicly known about for quite some time now, and that have now been documented nicely in one gift-wrapped package (the update) for any hackers who want to attack outdated systems (and there are many of those). You would be well advised to avoid using Java in a web browser at all, if you can possibly help it.

Jun 19, 2013 4:08 AM in response to thomas_r.

"avoid using Java in a web browser at all,..."


Good advice.


"...old Java apps/applets that aren't written to modern specs ..."


The stand-alone Java Swing applications, that don't display their GUI elements after installing this update, have been written according to modern standards. With Oracle Java7, and with Java6 from Apple prior to this update, they run absolutely flawlessly.


This is absolutely Apple's fault.

Jun 19, 2013 4:15 AM in response to hpp23

This is absolutely Apple's fault.


Whoa, whoa, whoa! That makes no sense whatsoever. You do realize that Apple has absolutely nothing to do with Java, right? Java is Oracle's baby, this Java update is entirely Oracle's creation, and any problems you're having with a Java app or applet following the update are either the fault of the app's author or Oracle, or both, but not even remotely related to anything Apple has done.

Jun 19, 2013 6:25 AM in response to thomas_r.

I think you're talking about something else. The update that was installed and broke the swing apps was for Java 6, the version supplied by Apple under license from Sun. With version 7, they turned development over to Oracle. Previous to this, Apple engineers wrote all of the Apple-specific portions of Java. This also doesn't have anything to do with applets or browsers. The broken programs are Swing applications.

After installing "Java for OS X 2013-004" update, Java apps don't work anymore as expected

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