Which Browser Version & Version of Java to Use?

For Windows users who experience problems using the File Manager, posting to the Mail tool, posting to the Discussions tool, or trying to attach files, please read on.

After continued testing of various combinations of Internet Explorer 6 and 7 and Java updates 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 (and taking into consideration Banner and use of MyJCCC/Luminus) here’s our best recommendation:

Stick with Internet Explorer version 6 and Java update 6 or
FireFox 1.5 and Java update 6

If you want to know more about this recommendation, please read on.

We have tested using Firefox 1.5, Firefox 2.0, IE 6 and IE 7. These products work in certain configurations. We’ve tested (primarily) Java 5, 6, 9 and 10 and they sometimes work. The typical problems include:

• The Get Files button works in the File Manager initially, but after repeated use (such as attaching a file or uploading a file) the browser freezes after a 2nd or 3rd use.
• When using the File Manager and selecting the Get Files button, the list of files available (when selecting the My Files or Class Files icon) is so vertically narrow that only 1-2 file names can be displayed.

If You Need to Roll Back to Java Update 6
If you have updated to a version of Java beyond update 6 and are having problems, you can uninstall all versions of Java by following the instructions at http://students.jccc.edu/documents/javauninstall.htm. Then you can follow the instructions at http://students.jccc.edu/documents/javainstall.htm which include a link to the Java Update version 6 installer. Read the instructions for both actions carefully!

The Check Browser Link Prompts You to Install Update 5
By the way, if you uninstall all versions of Java, reboot your system, go to http://online.jccc.edu and select the Check Browser link, the Browser Checker will find that you do not have Java installed. Just below the Java Check icon you’ll see a link to fix this problem. The link takes you to a Sun Microsystems web site that installs Java 1.5.0_05 (update 5). That version of Java works okay too.

How to Disable Automatic Update Notification in the Java Control Panel
Java will continually prompt you to update to the latest version unless you turn off the automatic update feature. Here’s how to turn it off.

1. Click the Start button, then select Settings, and then Control Panel.
2. Double-click on the Java Control Panel icon to open it.
3. Select the Update tab (see below).
4. Uncheck the check box that says Check for Updates Automatically.
5. Click the OK button at the bottom of the window and the Java Control Panel will close.

If You Need to Roll Back to IE 6
If you have updated to IE 7, you can remove that version from your computer using these steps:

1. Click Start, and then select the Control Panel.
2. Click Add or Remove Programs.
3. Scroll down to Windows Internet Explorer 7, click it, and then click Change/Remove.
4. Follow prompts to remove Windows Internet Explorer 7.

After you uninstall IE 7, your computer will automatically roll back to IE 6…assuming you had IE 6 installed and upgraded to IE 7.