Thread: at my rope's end with Java problem - can anyone help or direct me where to go?

Hello, everyone. I couldn't think of where else to turn.

I have DVD Roms full of images that used to run on my computer no problem. Now they don't work. No matter what browser I use to run the DVD I get "Application blocked by security settings" and "Blocked exception" error messages when I try to run the DVD. I know it's a Java problem. I uninstalled Java, but then the DVD program said it required Java to run. I've now reinstalled the current version of Java. There are no previous versions on my computers. Everything I could find online says to go to the java security settings and reduce them; but that does not help.

Suggestions? I'm completely stumped and about to cry that I can't use these DVDs. They were expensive. Please any help is appreciated!

Thanks.

Try reverting to Java 6.

You're running Windows? I'm also not convinced it's purely a Java problem. You may likely installed system security updates in an OS update that is/are blocking any attempts at running an Applet. Since Java 6 was considered "safe," reverting may make the problem go away, but it may not if the OS security posture is to block all Applets, regardless the Java version.

You could also try running the DVDs in another OS like a simple Linux or an older version of Windows like XP. The XP option may be a dead end, because the same security updates may have been applied.

I think there is a solution, so don't despair. There are many options, and I'm not sure which will work best for you.

Thanks for the response.

I uninstalled my Java and then reinstalled the last updated version of Java 6.

It still doesn't work. When I try to play the DVD it says "A plugin is needed to play this content" (I'm using Firefox; and Windows 7). It doesn't let me install a plugin. I don't think Firefox does this because of recent Java security issues?

What other options might I explore, if you think it's the OS and not Java?

Thanks

Stick with 6 for now, but I'm not sure it really matters. (It's what the Federal Gov't is using, because they're afraid to distribute 7 widely.)

Google something like "firefox enable java" or "firefox java plugin" and see if any of the manual methods for locating/copying the plugin to the right place, usually a Mozilla directory, are helpful.

Approaching the problem (or solution) from different directions:

Since this is a problem with the way the DVD was constructed and the graphics files packaged, have you checked with the vendor to see if they have a remedy? Check their website, user forums if they exist, any other online discussions about the problem, etc. . .

Can you get to the contents of the DVD and copy the graphics files to your hard disk and then access them with a standard graphics program?

I don't use Windows 7 on a machine I can do such things, but you might describe what you did to reduce the security settings to see if anyone else here knows if what you did was correct or if there are other options for changing the security settings that might help.

Build yourself a minimal Linux bootup disk like Puppy, Knoppix, or even one of the rescue disks like GParted Live or RescaTux and see if you can access the DVD from one of those. Most of those come with roughly the same utilities/applications, so I don't know that one will be better than any of the others. I think the Knoppix iso might be the largest, so if download size is an issue, start with the smaller ones.

Keep at it and keep us posted.

Quick update that might help you diagnose the problem and explain it to me:

I managed to get the DVDs working on an XP-running old laptop I have. I reverted its Java back to 6, but as you say that may not make a difference. When running these DVDs with IE on that machine, I had to allow popups that required permission for "running scripts or Active X" controls. So what does this mean, and how can I enable this, whatever it is, on my Windows 7 machine, since I'm not given a similar popup where I can give permission to run these scripts or controls?

Thanks!

Maybe the option to change those setting on the fly that would allow those things is disabled Win 7 - one of those security settings that can be reduced. I don't use Win 7 on a computer that I have Admin rights, so I don't get to (or want to) play with that stuff much.

Look for the same language in either IE Setting, Internet Configuration (in the Control Panel, I think), Firefox' settings, or wherever else:

Enable popups
Allow Scripting
Allow ActiveX controls

Etc.

Edit: OH! And don't do security updates on that XP machine, or you may find yourself in the same place as you are on Win 7. Of course, there's some risk in that, but deal with it until you can reliably access the DVDs.

So it seems maybe it's a scripts issue not a Java issue or both? I played around in the settings in IE as you suggested. There is a tool for Active X filtering but I do not have it checked. Either way, checked or not, it doesn't help.

The issue is related to or affected by both, but I'd be lying if I said I knew the answer. Ultimately, I think the problem is caused by the OS's security settings as you suggested in your OP. Comparing XP's security or Internet settings to Win 7 might help or might be completely pointless. You might have better luck pursuing the Win 7 solution on a site or in a forum that is Windows focused rather than here.

Thanks for your help. I'm about to give up and have wasted several hundred dollars on these DVDs that used to work fine. It seems there must be a simple fix to do with running scripts or javlets or some such things. I've googled extensively, and I've enabled all the security settings for java and scripts and whatnot I was told to in the browsers. But nothing seems to work. The original DVD gives similar advice in its user "read me" file. The point is the DVD opens in a web browser, not on its own, and none of the browsers are reading it correctly or none of them have permission or something. Here is what the original DVD says, in case it helps you understand what might be wrong better than I can (keep in mind the DVD is a couple of years old, so browsers and Java etc technology have changed).:

A. [The DVD] is an HTML, Java Applet, and Javascript application
that runs locally in a browser.

To run the application, proceed in one of the following ways:
1. Click right on "start.htm" file, then "Open with" your choice of one of the supported browsers listed below.
(Alternatively: double click on "start.htm" file if your default browser is already one of the supported browsers.)
2. Double click on the [DVD] executable (for Mac or PC, as appropriate).



B. We have tested the [DVD] on the following platforms/browsers:

I. Operating Systems:
- Mac OS X
- PC running Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7

II. Browsers:
- Mac: Firefox (version 3.6 or 4) and Safari (version 5)
- PC: Firefox (version 3.6 or 4) and Internet Explorer (version 8)
- All browsers must be Javascript enabled
- Special note for Internet Explorer:
- in Tools, Internet Options, Advanced tab, Security group: the following options must be checked:
(i) Allow active content from CDs to run on MyComputer
(ii) Allow active content to run in file on MyComputer

III. Java: version 5 and above
A copy of Java Runtime Environment (JRE) can be obtained from:
Java SE Downloads

Java Troubleshooting: Java is not enabled in the web browser.
If Java is already installed but the application does not work,
you may need to enable Java through your web browser.

SOLUTION

Please follow these general instructions (which may slightly vary depending on the browser's version)
to enable Java though your Web browser:

Internet Explorer

Click Tools and then Internet Options
Select the Security tab, and select the Custom Level button
Scroll down to Scripting of Java applets
Make sure the Enable radio button is checked
Click OK to save your preference

Firefox

Start Mozilla Firefox browser or restart it if it is already running
At the top of the browser, select the Firefox button (or Tools menu in Windows XP), then Add-ons
The Add-ons Manager tab will open.
In the Add-ons Manager tab, select Plugins
Click Java (TM) Platform plugin to select it
Click on the Enable button (if the button says Disable, Java is already enabled)



IV. Javascript: The browser must be Javascript enabled.

I guess the DVDs do not indicate a specific version of Java / OS / Browser? How about age, can you determine ~which version would have been current at the time the DVDs were made?
Where do the DVDs come from? Perhaps there is a security violation you should be concerned with

One came out in 2011, and it's from the British Library. Very academic in nature.