Topics: What is Java VM? | Which Browser is best for this DVD? | Windows® XP and JVM | How to get JVM | JVM Options | JVM Downloads | Sun® JVM | Microsoft® JVM | Updating Sun® JVM | Updating Microsoft® JVM | Switching JVM in Internet Explorer® System Requirements - Technical Data This DVD is designed to be as cross platform compatible as possible. You will need the following minimum computer set up to run this DVD. 1. An IBM® compatible computer running Microsoft Windows® 98SE (Second Edition) or later, with Microsoft Internet Explorer version 5.x or later; or Netscape 7.x or later. You will also need Java Virtual Machine (JVM) version 1.3.x or later browser plug-in with Java enabled on your browser and computer. 2. A MAC® using the following configurations: (See the Information File for more on this.) MacOS X: This DVD must be run in Netscape® 7.1 or Later (Available from: www.netscape.com ) with Apple® Java (Available from: http://www.apple.com/java ) MacOS 9.2.x: This DVD must be run in Netscape® 7.0.2 or Later (Available from: www.netscape.com ) with Apple® MRJ 2.2.6 (Available from: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=120209 ). MacOS 8.x.x - 9.1.x: This is not supported, however a work around does exist. 1) This DVD must be run in Microsoft Internet Explorer® 5.1.7 or later (Available from: www.microsoft.com ) with Apple® MRJ 2.2.6 or later (Available from: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=120209 ). 2) Run the Start.htm file from Microsoft Internet Explorer® , If you receive double characters when typing, simply click into another open application and back to Microsoft Internet Explorer®, the double characters will go away.  3) We recommend upgrading to MacOS 9.2.x for complete compatibility. 3. A DVD-ROM drive (auto start should be enabled).  Run start.htm. 4. This DVD has also been tested in the following browsers: Mozilla 1.4 and Opera 7. What's a Java VM?  Why do I need it? You need a Java Virtual Machine (VM) for your browser if you want to run Java applets, such as the search engine used on this DVD. A Java VM provides a standard runtime environment to run Java programs safely.  A Java program (such as a Java applet) should be able to run on any computer provided a VM is available. If a Java VM is installed in your browser and activated, then clicking here should show a pretty swirling pattern on the top-left of the page. Which browser is best for this DVD? To use the Search Utility on this DVD you will need to have a browser that runs Java, such as Microsoft Internet Explorer version 5 or later, or Netscape Navigator version 7 or later. For some common browsers such as Internet Explorer, installation of the Java Virtual Machine (VM) is optional. If not installed, then an attempt to run the Search Utility may prompt the installation of Java. See below for details of how to get the Microsoft or Sun Java VMs. Of the mainstream browsers, Microsoft Internet Explorer is generally better for two reasons: It runs much faster, which is important when accessing larger search databases. Internet Explorer versions 4 or later let the Search Utility do word highlighting with navigation arrows. Why doesn't Windows® XP include a Java Virtual Machine? Windows® XP does NOT include the Microsoft Java Virtual Machine (VM) for Internet Explorer. A future service pack, SP1b may include the Sun Java Runtime Environment VM. Microsoft says it has done this because the settlement of the Sun Microsystems litigation provides for a phase-out of the Microsoft® VM. Whatever the politics of the situation, the fact that a VM is not provided by default for Internet Explorer will make Java programs such as Spy-CD less easy to use. Provision of one or more VMs on the standard XP distribution would certainly be a step forward. How to get a Javaª VM Java VM options Some browsers originally came with a built-in Java VM.  For browsers such as Netscape® 7 and Opera®, you usually have the option of including a Java VM in your download. However, Microsoft Internet Explorer does not now include a Java VM, so you must download one. Although Microsoft® has withdrawn their Java VM, you can update or possibly install it from Windows® Update. If you have a Java VM already, then you may need to update it.  For example, some old Microsoft® Java VMs have problems running search applets on CDs/DVDs.  See below for upgrade instructions. Java VM downloads If a Java VM is not bundled with your browser installation, these are your download options: Sun® Java VM The Sun® Java Plug-in is a Java VM for Microsoft® Internet Explorer, Netscape® 6/7 and other browsers. Download the Java Plug-in from Sun®, approx 7-9MB.  If automatic detection does not work, manually get the appropriate Java Runtime Environment (JRE). Installing this Plug-in optionally installs the Java VM into both Internet Explorer (IE) and Netscape 6/7 (N6,N7) / Mozilla.  Close all browser Windows® and restart your browser. Windows® only: The Java VM Plug-in can be configured in the Control Panel. This displays the Plug-in version and lets you activate/deactivate the Sun Java VM in Internet Explorer and Netscape. After installing the Java Plug-in and restarting your browser, go to a page containing a Java applet (e.g., here). You should then see the Sun Java logo in the taskbar notification area. If you double-click on the taskbar logo, then the Java Console window appears.  As shown below, this also tells you the Java Plug-in version, ie 1.4.0 in this case.  Some Java applets will add further information to the Java Console which may be useful if diagnosing runtime problems. If the Sun® Java logo is not in the taskbar, you probably need to enable it in the Java Plug-in Control Panel - select "Hide console" to show the taskbar logo but hide the console itself until you want to see it. If installed in Opera®, select menu "Window+Special+Java Console" to see the Opera Java Console window. Microsoft® Java VM Microsoft® no longer distribute their Java VM, although you can update an installed Java VM as described below. See here for details of this policy.  The XP SP1 CD contained the Microsoft® Java VM; however SP1a does not.  A future SP1b will contain the Sun® JRE. For some versions of Windows®, Windows® Update Catalog will let you download a VM installation/update - do an advanced search for "VM". Apple Mac® Apple Mac® OS X includes a Java VM. For Classic Mac 9, download the Mac® OS Runtime for Java (MRJ). For further information, see Apple's® main Java site and their developer Java site. Updating your Sun® Java VM To check for updates, open the Java Plug-in Control Panel, select the Update tab and click on the "Get Java Update" button. Your browser will now open at the Sun® web site and tell you if there is an update available. Alternatively, get your current version number by opening the Java Plug-in Control Panel or the Java Console, as described above.  Compare this against the latest J2SE version listed here. If you need to do an update, download the latest version and install it.  You do not need to uninstall the previous version first, although it might be tidiest to do so. Updating your Microsoft® Java VM If you already have the Microsoft® VM installed then you can update it at Windows® Update. This is the preferred option as it will by definition be up to date. To find your current Microsoft VM version, select menu "View+Java console" in Internet Explorer. The version is the last number on the right, ie 3805 in this example: If the Java Console menu option is not available, select menu "Tools+Internet Options" Advanced tab, then scroll down to the "Microsoft® VM" (see picture below right) and check the box "Java console enabled"; then close all browser Windows® and restart. Internet Explorer: Switching between the Microsoft and Sun Java VMs If both the Microsoft® and Sun® Java VMs are installed, you can switch between them in menu "Tools+Internet Options" Advanced tab.  In the screenshot shown on the right, the Sun® VM is in use (and so the Microsoft® VM is therefore disabled).  If you change any of these settings, then you need to close all browser Windows® and start IE again. Java and all Java-based marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries. Return to the top of this page.