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Updating Java for Windows

The SSL vpn@ucsf service works better with the Sun Java software. Problems with the Microsoft Java software include certificate errors and browser crashes. If you are running an old version of Sun Java or are running Microsoft Java, it is recommended that you upgrade to the latest version of Sun Java.

What version of Java am I running?

Web Java Test

The OAAIS website provides a quick test to verify the version of Java currently in use by your web browser. OAAIS recommends that you use this service before continuing with the instruction below. http://help.ucsf.edu/custom/ip_test.jsp

Microsoft Java Virtual Machine                                 

If you are running the Windows 95, 98, ME, or 2000 operating system or have upgraded your machine to Windows XP from one of those operating systems, your PC already has the Microsoft Jave Virtual Windows (JVM). If your PC was shipped with the Windows XP operating system, you may not have the MS JVM. To determine if your PC has the MS JVM:

  1. Click on the Start menu button.
  2. Click on the Run… menu option.
  3. Type "cmd" in the dialog box and click OK (if "cmd" produces an error, try "command" instead).
  4. In the window that opens, type "jview" and press enter.

The Microsoft JVM is installed on your computer if you see the jview command’s usage text and command options. The Microsoft JVM is not installed on your computer if “jview” is not recognized as a valid command. If you see an error similar to this

C:\>jview
‘jview’ is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file

then the Microsoft JVM is not installed on your computer.

Sun Java Virtual Machine (JVM)

Many versions of Windows do not include Java as part of the install. Rather, it is installed by one of the web browsers when it is needed. Other times Java is pre-installed by the computer manufacturer or a support department. Usually when this is the case Sun Java is installed. To determine if your PC has the Sun Java Virtual Machine (JVM):

  1. Click on the Start menu button.
  2. Click on the Run… menu option.
  3. Type "cmd" in the dialog box and click OK (if "cmd" produces an error, try "command" instead).
  4. In the window that opens, type "java–version" and press enter.

If Java is installed on your system you should see a dialog similar to the following:

C:\>java –version
java version “1.5.0_07”
Java(TM) 2 Runtime Environment, Standard Edition (build 1.5.0_07-b03)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 1.5.0_07-b03, mixed mode, sharing)

If Java is not installed on your system, you will see an error similar to the following:

C:\>jview
‘jview’ is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file

Java is not installed on your computer.

How to Install the Sun Java Virtual Machine

To install the Sun Java Virtual Machine (JVM) on a Windows PC you must first download the installation application for the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) from http://java.sun.com/j2se/. (You do not need to download the Software Development Kit (SDK) or the J2SE which contains the SDK).
Note: You will need Administrator or Power User privileges to install Java.
To install the Sun JVM:

  1. Download the JRE application from http://java.sun.com/j2se/.
  2. Double-click the executable file, which ends with .exe, within the download.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions.

How to Set the Default Java Virtual Machine for Your Browser

When Sun’s Java Virtual Machine (JVM) is installed on a Windows PC, it becomes the default JVM for Internet Explorer. This setting occurs even if Microsoft’s JVM is already installed. You can control which virtual machine is used by the browser through the Control Panel. If Microsoft Java becomes the default JVM, you will need to follow these steps to switch your web browser back to Sun JVM.

Windows XP and 2003 Server

When using Internet Explorer on the Windows XP and Windows 2003 Server operating systems, ensure that the Sun JVM is enabled on your system before following these steps

  1. Launch an Internet Explorer browser window.
  2. Select the Tools menu and choose Internet Options.
  3. Select the Advanced tab.
  4. Scroll to the Java (Sun) section. A check mark in the checkbox next to the Use Java 2 vx.x.x for <applet> option denotes that Internet Explorer is using the Sun JVM. If no check mark appears, select the checkbox to enable the Sun JVM.
  5. Click the OK button to save your changes
  6. If you enabled the Sun JVM you need to restart your system before the changes take effect.

Windows 98, 98SE, ME and NT (Server and Workstation)

  1. Close all open web browser windows (logout of the SSL vpn@ucsf service if you are currently connected).
  2. From the Start menu, choose Control Panel.
  3. Open the Java Plug-In Control Panel
    1. If you are using version 1.4.1 of the Sun JVM, from the Control Panel window, choose Other Control Panel Options. Under Pick a Control Panel icon, double-click Java Plug-in to launch the Java Plug-in Control Panel.
    2. If you are using version 1.4.2 or newer of the Sun JVM: From the Control Panel window, choose Java Plug-in to launch the Java Plug-in Control Panel. Note that if you do not see the Java Plug-in control panel, then your PC does not have the Sun JVM and you do not need to continue.
  4. In the Java Plug-in Control Panel, click the Browser tab and then:
  5. Uncheck Microsoft Internet Explorer to stop using the Microsoft JVM as the default for Internet Explorer.
  6. Check Microsoft Internet Explorer to start using the Sun JVM as the default for Internet Explorer.
  7. Click Apply, and when the confirmation dialog opens, click OK.
  8. Re-launch your browser and connect to the SSL vpn@ucsf

For assistance or more information contact OAAIS Customer Support
customersupport@ucsf.edu
(415) 514-4100, option 2

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