Troubleshooting Apple Java 1.4.1 Update 1

Apple's Java 1.4.1 update 1 caused some confusion when it was posted yesterday. Several readers were unsure whether this was a true update, or just a standalone download of the previously available 1.4.1 update. Apple has now posted a Knowledge Base article detailing the enhancements of the new release, which include:

• Improved Java applet support for Safari and other web browsers that support the Java Internet Plug-In.
• Improved drawing correctness and performance.
• Support for AWT headless mode.
• Changes to Java 1.3.1 that provide support for Oracle 11i client applications on Mac OS X.
• Improved stability, memory usage, and correctness

There was also confusion regarding the version of Java packed in this update - which appears not to be Sun's recently released Java 1.4.2 spec.

Users are having some problems with the 40 MB update, including inability to view some animated content. One poster to VersionTracker's feedback board describes a problem with the Weather Channel's "radar,": " The Java logo will come up (so there is no doubt that it is Java) and the radar won't load until you manually click the controls. It does not work properly and it needed to be fixed ages ago."

"The problem is, this Java update is mostly for Safari, which does not properly work with weather.com animated Java radar maps. Therefore, this Java is flawed and needs to be fixed. Having to launch IE every time I go to a mainstream website is unacceptable."

UPDATES:

Problems with Lotus Notes MacFixIt reader Mitch Turner describes a problem with Lotus Notes and the new Java update "My company uses Lotus Notes (please note that I'm working at a different site and I'm emailing you via Outlook on OS 9) and I can't use Safari to access webmail. The tools at the top of the window initially show the Java icon, but they never become accessible."

If you are experiencing a similar problem, or know of a workaround, please drop us a line at late-breakers@macfixit.com.

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