Sun Java Plug-in 1.4.2 vs new 1.5

Question

My Dimension 8300 came with Java Plug-in 1.4.2 and it works fine.  Now I've learned that Sun is offering a download of the new 1.5 (known externally as 5.0).   1. Is it a good idea to download directly from Sun?  (Is there any chance that Microsoft will make it available via Windows Update--I would prefer that)   2. Should I expect an 'easy' download--or are there potential problems?   3. Finally, is it wise to go ahead with this upgrade?

moose4 · Answer

Thanks for your reply.....just one question.   Are you saying that you uninstalled 1.4.2 before installing 1.5?  (I ask because I did not see this instruction at the Sun download website.)

JRosenfeld · Answer

Microsoft will not make Sun Java available through Windows update.

I uninstalled 1.4 and installed 1.5. Downloaded from Sun

http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.5.0/download.jsp (JRE). Read the instructions, etc.

I had no problems. Java works fine.

If you stick to 1.4.2 make sure you get the updates (1,4,2.06 I think)

http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.4.2/download.html

msil217 · Answer

Yes, I even had TWO java versions!!! (Of Sun Java!!, I keep MS java so that Homestead's site builder will work) I uninstalled them both, rebooted, then installed 1.5.

No problem. But you may want to set a system restore point before uninstalling the old, and reinstalling the newer version.

JRosenfeld · Answer

Yes. 1.5 does not overwrite 1.4, but there is no point in having both.

scoobydooby · Answer

Which version are you supposed to install? With or without Netbean? JDK 5.0 or JRE 5.0?

scoobydooby · Answer

Thanks for the info. That's what I am going to download then  - JRE5.0 update 1  - the non-developer newbie version.     Message Edited by scoobydooby on 01-22-2005 03:26 PM

moose4 · Answer

You are certainly right about the need for 1.4.2_06.  When requesting the 1.5 download (with my current 1.4.2), I got an error message saying that it would not download unless I first upgraded to 1.4.2_06.  So I downloaded 1.4.2_06 with no problems.  Now I have both Java programs listed separately in my Add or Remove Programs.   I will go ahead and download 1.5 in the near future.

scoobydooby · Answer

Found 3 versions of 1.4.2 (.3, .5, .6) - each taking 130mb hard disk space.

Uninstalled all 3 versions via control panel before installing JRES 5.0 update1.

I don't know if it's my imagination, but my computer seems to boot up faster now.

JRosenfeld · Answer

Unless you are into developing java applets or such, you just need Runtime Environment (JRE)

Quotes from Sun web pages:

'Java 2 Platform Standard Edition (J2SE) software is the premier platform for rapidly developing and deploying secure, portable applications that run on server and desktop systems spanning most operating systems. J2SE 5.0 is a significant release including many new features and updates while preserving compatibility and stability.'

http://java.sun.com/j2se/overview.html

'NetBeans IDE, is a powerful integrated development environment for developing applications on the Java platform.'

'The J2SE Runtime Environment (JRE) allows end-users to run Java applications.' Therefore this is what most of us want.

Just download JRE5.0 update 1 (it is the whole package for 1.5.0_01-b08, the current version).

Message Edited by JRosenfeld on 01-22-2005 08:21 PM

Windows General

Sun Java Plug-in 1.4.2 vs new 1.5

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