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Update Java, Enable Java Control Panel and Disable Old Java Versions

Java icons  Java Control Panel Icons         JInitiator icon  JInitiator Icon

If you were attempting to disable all old Java (JRE) versions that may be on your system but your computer does not have the Java Conrol Panel icons or you only see Java Plug-in or JInitiator icon (see above images), then you may have the outdated Java 1.4.

You will need to follow the instructions below to update your Java, enable the Java Control Panel and disable your older versions, .

Update your Java

  1. Go to http://java.sun.com and click on the Free Java Download button.
  2. Internet Explorer users will see a Security Warning dialog box.  Click Install. 
    I.E. confirm install message
  3. Firefox users will see a download window.  Click on the Download Now button.
    Firefox download Java window
  4. After the install is complete, you should see a confirmation page:
    Java confirm install
  5. If you still do not see the Java Control Panel icons in the Windows Control Panel, follow the instructions in the next section.  If you do see the icons, go to the section Disable your old Java versions.

Enable the Java Control Panel

  1. Open Control Panel and click on the JInitiator or Java Plug-In icon.  The JInitiator Control Panel will open.  Click on the ADVANCED tab.
    JInitiator control panel
  2. Click on the drop-down box under Java Runtime Environment and select your new version of Java that you just downloaded (i.e. 6.1).
  3. Click the APPLY button, then close the JInitiator Control Panel window.

Disable your old Java versions

  1. Go to CONTROL PANEL >> JAVA . This will open the Java Control Panel. 
  2. Select the JAVA tab. 
  3. Under "Java Application Runtime Settings" click VIEW.
    Java Control Panel
  4. Click on the SYSTEM tab.
  5. If you have more than one version, UNCHECK the ENABLED checkbox next to all versions except the most current one. 
  6. Note: Your most current version should be 1.5.0_11 or higher for Blackboard to function properly on your system Java runtime settings screen

Delete your old Java versions

If after you complete the above procedures you continue to get the failed error in Browser Check, you will need to delete your old Java versions from your computer.

Before starting, print out this page and close all browser windows and programs.

  1. Select START then MY COMPUTER.
  2. Select the C: drive (Local Disk).
  3. Select PROGRAM FILES.
  4. Scroll down until you find the JAVA folder and open it.
  5. You should see folders listed with the JAVA version as the name of the folder (i.e. jre1.6.0_01).
  6. Highlight and delete the contents of all folders with versions lower than your most current version.