DCJS Online Java Systems require the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) version 1.4.0 or higher to run. Java WebStart applications act like a program installed on your machine and do not run within a browser. For this reason, Java WebStart must also be installed on your machine. If your machine already has these installed, then you're all set for DCJS Online Java Systems (see "Checking your installation" below to find out how). If not, the following instructions describe how to prepare your machine by installing both the required JRE and Java WebStart.

Important:
Users running Windows 2000 must have Service Pack 2 or higher installed before installing version JRE 1.4.1 or greater.

To check your Windows version and Service Pack:

• From your "Start" button, go to "Settings-Control Panel" and click the "System" icon.
  
  
• Select the "General" tab of the System Properties dialog that comes up.
  
  
• Notice the upper right area of this tab has a "System" heading. Under this heading will detail your Windows version and what level (if any) of service pack you have.
  
  
• Click "Cancel" to close the System Properties dialog.

Proceed to the "Installing the Java Runtime Environment for DCJS Online Java Systems" section.

Installing the Java Runtime Environment for DCJS Online Java Systems

Download the latest version of the Java Runtime Environment

• Direct your browser to http://java.com/en/download/index.jsp.
  

  Note: Users of older operating systems, such as Windows 95, may not be able to install the latest JRE version. If this is your situation, an older version of the JRE can be found here

  
  
• Click the "Download Now" image on that page.
  Note: You may alternatively select the "Manual Download" link under the image and click the "Download" button that is next to the description of your operating system. For example, Windows users will select the "Download" button in one of the rows entitled "Windows."
  Please refer to the "Instructions" links on that page for additional information.
  
  
• Save the downloaded file to your desktop, or wherever is convenient for you. (Note: If you're using a dial-up connection, please allow 60 to 90 minutes for the download to complete.)

Install the JRE you just downloaded

• Detailed instructions for your operating system platform can be found at http://java.com/en/download/manual.jsp.
  
  
• Windows users can simply double-click on the downloaded file icon and accept the defaults for a "Typical" installation. If you do not have the appropriate user privileges to install an application on your machine, ask your system administrator for assistance.
  
  
• Apple Macintosh and UNIX users should follow the instructions for their particular system and JRE bundle choice. Note: UNIX users may need to install the Java Plug-In and WebStart products individually and separately.
  
  
• Restart your machine after installation.
  
  
• See "Checking your installation" (if you don't need any adjustments as described below).

Adjustments for LAN users
If your computer accesses the Internet via a LAN and goes through a Proxy Server, then you may need to make the following adjustments to Java WebStart.

• Open Java WebStart. Windows users can double-click the Java WebStart icon. (It appears on the desktop of the user account that installed JRE).
  
  
• From the "File" menu option, select the "Preferences" item.
  
  
• Choose the "General" tab from the dialog that comes up.
  
  
• Look for a box entitled "Proxies."
  
  
• Choose "None" within the "Proxies" box and click the OK button.

The above adjustment is preferred. However, if you must go through the Proxy server, then the Proxy server must not be caching files from the  ps.dcjs.virginia.gov domain. Ask your system administrator to set this up for you.

Using DCJS Online Java Systems through a Firewall
DCJS Online Java Systems communicates with DCJS via two common ports, 80 (http) and 443 (https). Likely your Firewall already has these ports opened for typical web browsing. However, if either of these ports are closed, you will need to ask your LAN administrator to have both of these ports open for bidirectional traffic.

Checking Your Installation

Correct installation of the Java Runtime Environment, Plug-In and WebStart products can be tested as follows.

• Enter http://ps.dcjs.virginia.gov/jrePrep.jnlp into your browser.
  
  
• If everything is set up correctly for DCJS Online Java Systems, you'll see a splash screen pop up in the middle of your display saying, "You're All Set!"
  
  
• This screen will only remain for about 10 seconds before closing itself.
  
  
• Windows users: If you go to this link a second time, WebStart will ask if you want to save a shortcut to the link on their desktop and/or Start menu. Unless you really like this little test application, you can safely click "No."
  
  
• Behind a Firewall? This process only checks for a correct JRE and WebStart installation and access over http port 80; it does not check that the https port 443, required for DCJS Online Java Systems, is open and set up correctly. Please see the section entitled "Using DCJS Online Java Systems through a Firewall."

Signs of an incorrect/incomplete installation:

• If your browser prompts you to either open or save jrePrep.jnlp, then either WebStart isn't properly registered with your browser or is not installed at all. For Windows users, it's almost always the latter.
  
  
• If WebStart begins to run, but then displays an error dialog, you may not be set up to correctly work with a Proxy server and/or Firewall. Please see the "Adjustments for LAN users" section.

Uninstalling Prior Versions of the Java Runtime Environment

The new JRE functionally replaces older JRE versions, but doesn't physically remove them. For this reason, you may not want to keep these older JRE versions installed on your machine. This section describes how to remove prior version of the Java Runtime Environment.

Note: When uninstalling a JRE under Windows, a dialog box may present itself asking you about removing "shared" files not being used by other programs. Unless you know that the Windows uninstaller is wrong, you can say "Yes" (or "Yes to All") and allow the file(s) to be removed. If you do not have the appropriate user privileges to uninstall an application on your machine, ask your system administrator for assistance.

Windows users:

• Navigate through Start-Settings-Control Panel-Add/Remove Programs.
  
  
• Choose the older Java Runtime Environment for removal.
  
  
• Repeat this for each of the older JREs on your system.
  
  
• Restart your machine after all JRE removal is complete.

UNIX users should consult their system administrator for JRE removal.