Microsoft Java Virtual Machine [MSJVM]
A few years ago Microsoft and Sun went head to head in
the courts over Java and who was entitled to use it in what
situations. To say it was a boring case would be an
understatement. The bottom line was that Microsoft agreed to
a limited timeframe in which it would continue to use the
Sun source code. See, you're bored with this already, aren't
you? Here are a few frequently asked questions regarding
Java and Windows XP.
Q - How do I tell if Java is installed on my
system?
A - Perform the following steps:
- Click
Start
>
Run
- Type CMD and click
OK to
open a command prompt window
- At the command prompt type
jview and press ENTER
Fig. 01
Q - What's the deal with Service Pack
1 and Service Pack 1a as they relate to Java?
A - It's a long story but basically if you have an older
copy of XP (often referred to as a Gold copy) then JVM is
installed with the operating system. If you updated to SP1
(no longer available) then JVM remained intact. If you
updated to SP1a then JVM was removed, or if your copy of XP
was manufactured and shipped after SP1a was released then
JVM was never present on your machine. The only difference
between SP1 and SP1a is that JVM isn't a part of SP1a. The
safest way to know for sure if JVM is present is to use the
method described above.
Q - What about updates for Microsoft
JVM? Are they still available?
A - Use Windows Update and if they are needed for your
particular installation they will be available for download.
Q - I have Microsoft JVM but want to
get rid of it and use Sun Java. Can Microsoft JVM be removed
from XP?
A - There are many sites that have batch files and scripts
available that automate the removal process. A search of the
internet should turn up quite a few choices or the steps to
manually remove it are below. Before you remove it though,
consider the possibility of doing a clean install of XP and
then updating it via Windows Update. If you still have the
original JVM installed it's likely there is a lot of other
old junk hanging around as well. The system might benefit
from a complete reinstall and gain a boost in performance.
Remember to have a full, current, usable backup before
reformatting and installing the operating system.
[ If you get an error that says java.inf
can't be found then you didn't use the procedure in the
first question. JVM isn't installed. ]
-
Open Windows Explorer and delete the
following directories and files:
C:\Windows\Java
C:\Windows\Inf\java.pnf
C:\Windows\System32\jviw.exe
C:\Windows\System32\wjview.exe
-
Open Registry Editor ( Start > Run >
type regedit in the Open: line and click OK ) and delete
the following registry entries:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Java
VM
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\InternetExplorer\AdvancedOptions\JAVA_VM
Q - Is it necessary to have Java
installed on the system?
A - Nope. You'll miss a lot of content on the web and many
websites will not display properly, but it's not essential
to have any form of Java installed.
Q - Can the Microsoft Java Virtual
Machine be reinstalled after it has been removed?
A - Only if you have an original Gold Edition XP CD or one
manufactured before the integration of SP1a.
Q - How do I get Java re-installed on
the system?
A - Go to the Sun Microsystems website at
www.sun.com
and use the automatic Java installer.
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