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How do I update Java Plug-in for my browser after I have upgraded to a new version of Java Runtime Environment?


This article applies to:
  • Platform(s):
    Sun Java Desktop System, Red Hat Linux, SUSE Linux
  • Browser(s):
    Netscape 6.2x, Netscape 7, Mozilla 1.4+
  • JRE version(s):
    1.5.0


During the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) installation process, a symbolic link to the Java Plug-in in the browser’s directory is necessary to enable Java Plug-in for your browser. If you are upgrading to a new version of the JRE, then the Java Plug-in for the old JRE will stay effect until you update the symbolic link. Follow these steps to update the link:
  1. Remove the old symbolic link
  2. Create new symbolic link


Remove the old symbolic link
  1. Open new Terminal window
  2. Go to the plugins sub-directory under the Mozilla installation directory
    cd <Mozilla installation directory>/plugins
  3. In the current directory, remove a symbolic link to the JRE ns7/libjavaplugin_oji.so file. Type:
    rm libjavaplugin_oji.so

  4. Example:
    • If Mozilla is installed in this directory:
      /usr/lib/mozilla-1.4/
    • if the JRE is installed at this directory:
      /usr/java/jre1.5.0
    • and if the symbolic link name is libjavaplugin_oji.so
    • Then type at the terminal to go to the browser plug-in directory:
      cd /usr/lib/mozilla-1.4/plugins
    • Enter the following command to remove a symbolic link to the Java Plug-in for the Mozilla browser.
      rm libjavaplugin_oji.so


Create new symbolic link
  1. Open new Terminal window
  2. Go to the plugins sub-directory under the Mozilla installation directory
    cd <Mozilla installation directory>/plugins
  3. In the current directory, create a symbolic link to the JRE ns7/libjavaplugin_oji.so file. Type:
    ln -s <JRE installation directory>/plugin/i386/ns7/libjavaplugin_oji.so

  4. Example:
    • If Mozilla is installed in this directory:
      /usr/lib/mozilla-1.4/
    • and if the new JRE is installed at this directory:
      /usr/java/jre1.5.0_04
    • Then type at the terminal to go to the browser plug-in directory:
      cd /usr/lib/mozilla-1.4/plugins
    • Enter the following command to create a symbolic link to the Java Plug-in for the Mozilla browser.
      ln -s /usr/java/jre1.5.0_04/plugin/i386/ns7
      /libjavaplugin_oji.so .
  5. Start Mozilla browser or restart it if it is already running. Note that if you have other Mozilla components (ie: Messenger, Composer, etc) running, you will need to restart them as well.
  6. Go to Edit > Preferences. Under Advanced category > Select Enable Java



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