Computer help forum: Many problems re: Java

So, yes, I need Java. And, yes, it works.
The Java icon in the Control Panel is missing. This happened once before, but I have no memory of what I did to get it back.
It's too long a story to go into, but I cannot use System Restore - it doesn't work.
Do you think that uninstalling, and re-installing, 1.7u13, will solve the problem of how to get the Java 6 updates 2, 5, 7 and SE Runtime Environment 6 Update 1 deleted?
I'll try to uninstall/reinstall right now.
Thanks.

First, attempt to uninstall all Java from the Control Panel-Add/Remove Programs.. Once that's done, download, unzip, then install and use the Java Ra program to uninstall everything that's left..

http://singularlabs.com/software/javara/javara-download/

If you still have remnants, then use the freeware version of Revo Uninstaller from the link below.. Install and run Revo, then select ONLY the Java items listed and let the program remove them.

http://www.revouninstaller.com/revo_uninstaller_free_download.html

Hope this helps.

Grif

Grif - I have deleted the latest Java, but, as previously stated, the remaining attempts were "fatal error during installation."
I downloaded javara, as you suggested. I unzipped the program; however, once I unzipped the downloaded program, there is no way to install and run the program. The only option I see is to open all the machinations of the program.
Any suggestions? Thanks.

the JavaRa download (file should have been named JavaRa-2.1.zip - if not download the proper file from this link - http://download.thewebatom.net/50f69935741f0/JavaRa-2.1.zip ) there is no installation. You will see a sub folder of whatever folder you unzipped it to that is named JavaRa and it will contain JavaRa.exe, JavaRa.def, and config.ini as well as a subfolder named localizations. Run the executable JavaRa with an administrator account (right click it and select to run as administrator) - if you do not have your file manager set to show extensions the icon for the executable will look like a blue cloud with a sun behind it.

The link above offers you all the documentation you should need.

Thank you, Mr. ODaniel.
I did exactly as you said. Here is what I got:
"JavaRa.exe .NET Framework Initialization Error - Unable to find a version of the runtime to run this application."
All the MS updates were done this a.m. Any ideas?
Is it OK to go ahead and use the revouninstaller, as suggested by Grif Thomas, at this point?

Either install NET Framework (According to Singular Labs, the provider of Java Ra, any version will work), or you can run the Revo Uninstaller and see how it goes.

If you'd like to download and install a version of NET Framework, you can use the link below to do so.

NET Framework 4.0 Standalone Installer
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=17718

Hope this helps.

Grif

Grif:
I have: .NET FW 1.1 + 2 security updates; .NET FW 2 SP2 w/all its parts + update; .NET FW 3 SP2 same as FW2 SP2; .NET FW 3.5 SP1 w/all updates + 1 hotfix; and .NET FW 4 client profile w/security updates.
1) Is it really necessary to install .NET FW 4.0 Standalone Installer, with all these I have?
2) "See how it goes" re: Revo Uninstaller, leaves me feeling very uneasy.
Any reassuring words? I have had many problems with deleting another program, because it would not update. I'm feeling this entire process has become very burdensome, and I do not wish to cause more problems than with what I am already dealing. Reassure me....
Thanks.

Since "any version" should allow Java Ra to work, you shouldn't need to install 4.0.. That said, give a try to Revo Uninstaller.. I've used it a number of times and it's fairly straight forward.. Just be sure to ONLY select the Java items when identifying which things you want to uninstall.

Hope this helps.

Grif

I installed the revouninstaller program - which is only for Pros.

Since I do not understand computer-speak, I cannot use this program.

I tried to delete one Java item at a time, only to be faced with a number of sub-parts, which can be chosen only one at a time - not an entire program.

Unless you have something else up your sleeve, I am dead in the water.

Since I had deleted what Java programs I could, my computer will not boot readily. The first time I attempted to boot, after deleting Java programs, it took 3 tries to boot.

Then, yesterday, I had to abort a log-on time, as the screen went totally black - not the usual shimmery gray/green - and would not come back. I had to force the shut-off.

Help! Please.....

It's at the same link I provided earlier.. It isn't that difficult to run but if it's beyond your ability, then maybe you need assistance at your location. And yes, you may need to remove one piece of java at a time as that's what Revo Uninstaller does when there are "remnants" on the machine.

Unfortunately, I'm not sure that Java or NET Framework are the only problems with your computer.. I've never seen issues such as yours when simply trying to install/uninstall Java.. It sounds like you've got issues with other system files besides NET Framework, etc. Although I might suggest running System File Checker "SFC /scannow", or even running a repair install, I'm not sure performing such steps are in your skill level. You may need to get some personal help at your location.

Hope this helps.

Grif

the root cause of your problems.

Sometimes it gets corrupted and since the versions are cumulative it is hard to fix.

Generally removing all then installing 1.1 alone gets you going. This is because any app that requires a higher version informs you and generally offers to install what is needed.

Here is a link to a VERY HANDY uninstaller for .NET - http://www.aboutonlinetips.com/repair-remove-and-uninstall-net-framework/

READ that page to understand just what it does then go for it.

All the .NET FW programs were newly installed and updated on Dec. 12, 2012.

For a longtime (since last summer), I could not get any type of update from Microsoft. But, in the meantime, I had run the defragmenter with the OS. There were lots of fragments. I tried running the defragmenter, but no success.

One day last December, I was running ccleaner and saw their defraggler listed. All the bells went off; I installed and ran the program. A miracle had occurred. The fragmentation is what had kept the .NET and all other updates from updating. The system remains in good shape, fragment-wise.

So, everything .NET is only 2 months old. As there is nothing updated since 12/13/12, everything should not be corrupted.

OK - My first attempt at using this was not good - operator error
I tried, again, yesterday and had total success. Seems I was trying to make something easy, difficult.
So, many, many thanks for helping me clean out all the old Java stuff - and, believe me, it was old.

Although I was not aware of it, now that you mention it, when I'm in my photobucket account (which requires Java), I'm continually getting red messages that malicious URLs are being blocked (my OS, for one, and Firefox).

Is there anything else that does the same thing as Java and would be acceptable for use in photosharing???

I do have javascript enabled but that's not JAVA.

Tell more.
Bob

I disabled the Java plug-in.
Now, I need to know how to delete the old versions of Java. It is my understanding they create a potential security problem.
I have not yet gone back into photobucket, because 1) they are in beta; 2) beta has made a horrible mess of my albums, and 3) no one is able to get in to look at the pics.
I'll run ccleaner, again, to see if it picks up anything re: Java.
Thanks.

I was going to mention JAVA RA but see our good guy Grif has it covered below.

Because I don't know if I can get Java reinstalled, I left it in place. I did attempt to download the installer. This is what I got>>
"Error - Java Installer: Downloaded File c:\DocumentsandSettings\customer\ApplicationData\Sun\Java\jre1.7.0_13\java_sp.dll is corrupt"
Any suggestions? Logic tells me that, without an installer, one cannot install the software. Thanks.