There is a bug in the Mac OS X implementation of WebStart which prevents it from updating the Java code stored in a computer. Generally, the first time a computer tries to run any Java program from the Concord Consortium it will not have a problem. Subsequent times, however, may cause the JNLP launcher to freeze as it tries to update the code. The JNLP may look like the one below:
Fixing the bug
This bug is quite easy to fix, but it requires copying-and-pasting some code into a application called the Terminal, which may appear a little confusing to many users. However, it is quite painless. It will also require the user's password, which will be the same password that is normally required by any new application that is trying to install.
Finding out your OS and Java versions
The fix will be slightly different depending on user's combination of Mac OS and Java version.
To find out which version of the Mac Operating System you have, you can click on the Apple symbol at the top-left of your screen and select "About this Mac." You will see a window which will specify the version number, 10.4 or 10.5 (you can ignore the other numbers).
Next you need to find out what version of Java you are running. To do this, you must open up an application called the Terminal. You can find this in the Utilities folder, which is in the Applications folder.
You will see a window open up with some text, at the bottom of which will be your username followed by a dollar symbol. This is the prompt, and you can type commands on this line. To find your java version, type or copy-and-paste the command 'java -version' (without the single-quotes) and then press Return.
You will see a couple lines of text appear, at the top of which it will say something like java version "1.5.0_13". Take note of this number., and leave the Terminal application open for the final step.
If your Java version is 1.5.0_06 or 1.5.0_07...
... you can click on this link: FixJavaWebStart.dmg
. Select "open" or download and then double-click on the file. A window should then appear on your computer with an application called "Fix Java Web Start" Run the application, click on the button, and enter your password when prompted.
You should now be able to run the software without problems.
If your Java version is 1.5.0_13 and you have Mac OS 10.4
Copy the following lines of code, click on the Terminal application, and paste it in by pressing Apple-V on your keyboard.
Press enter. You will then be prompted for your password, which will be the one you normally use to install programs. Note that when you start typing in your password, it will not look like you are typing anything. This can be very confusing... Press enter after you have typed in your password and you should get a message saying the change was successful.
You should now be able to run the software without problems.
If your Java version is 1.5.0_13 and you have Mac OS 10.5
Copy the following lines of code, click on the Terminal application, and paste it in by pressing Apple-V on your keyboard.
Press enter. You will then be prompted for your password, which will be the one you normally use to install programs. Note that when you start typing in your password, it will not look like you are typing anything. This can be very confusing... Press enter after you have typed in your password and you should get a message saying the change was successful.
You should now be able to run the software without problems.
