Resolving problems with Java

If your page has only gray or empty boxes instead of seeing graphs or other Java diagram areas, there are a couple of possibilities.  First, check if your browser is still downloading the files, since sometimes this takes a few minutes over a slow connection.  Look at the status bar at the bottom of the browser to see if it is still downloading a file, or whether the animation in the upper-right corner of the browser is still running.  If files are still being retrieved, just be patient.

If the page is fully downloaded and you still see gray or empty boxes, your browser may have Java disabled.  (Internet Explore sometimes come with Java turned off.)  To check if it is turned off and to turn it on, follow these steps:
 

Internet Explorer (based on version 5.5) Netscape Navigator (based on version 4.7)
  1. Go to the 'Tools' menu and select 'Internet Options'.
  2. Click on the 'Advanced' tag.
  3. Scroll down until you se the section 'Java VM'.
  4. Make sure 'JIT compiler for virtual machine enabled' is checked.
  5. Close Internet Explorer down completely and then re-start it.  (You will need to log on again.)
  1. Go to the 'Edit' menu and select 'Preferences'.
  2. Click on 'Advanced'.
  3. Make sure that 'Enable Java' is checked.
  4. Close Netscape Navigator down completely and then re-start it.  (You will need to log on again.)
If this does not work, you may want to try installing the latest Java Virtual Machine from Sun to use instead. Go to http://www.java.com and download Java for the desktop (also known as JRE) which includes plug-ins for IE and Netscape that will use this java virtual machine as opposed to the one that came with your browser.

Note: If you are using a Mac, you probably will see the applets, but they will not submit/grade in situations where javascript is used (i.e. WebAssign).  That is a problem with almost all browsers on Macs, that Java to JavaScript communication is not supported.