| I have never had to download anything to use a chat room. Why now? |
Our chat room software is written in a language called Java. The voice chat and file sharing features of our software require users to have Sun's Java installed and running on their computers before they can login to the room.
Java is an open-source programming language - meaning, web software developers do not have to pay to use it. It is continually being made more powerful by programmers all over the world who contribute to its development.
Sun Microsystems is spear-heading the Java open-source movement. Netscape and Apple also support the open-source movement, so they have included JRE with their software for some time. JRE is the best, most powerful Java software available.
Windows computers typically have Microsoft's proprietory Java software, Java Virtual Machine, pre-installed, either as the only Java software installed on the computer, or in addition to Sun's JRE. Microsoft's JVM is being phased out and has not been upgraded for some time. It is not powerful enough to run our voice chat software.
To find out what type(s) of Java software are installed on your Windows computer, open your IE browser and click Tools/Internet Options. Click the Advanced tab. Scroll down below HTTP1.1 settings. You may find you have "Java (Sun)" and/or "Microsoft VM" installed. |
| DOWNLOADS |
| Test for your version of Sun's Java - Important! |
| Windows Download (all languages, including English) |
| Solaris 32-bit
Solaris 64-bit
Solaris x86
Linux RPM
Linux |
| Macintosh (Apple Mac OS X) Download/Instructions
Macintosh (Apple Mac OS 9 & earlier) Download/Instructions |
| If you receive an error message dialog box during download, you must download the offline installation package manually [Windows Instructions] |
| Note: If you have any other type of Java software installed (e.g. Microsoft Virtual Java Machine), you DO NOT need to uninstall it. |
| INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS |
Windows/IE and Netscape
Installation Instructions
System Requirements
Windows/Mozilla 1.4, Netscape 7/7.1
(Not Officialy Supported)
Installation Instructions
Windows/Firefox
Installation Instructions
Solaris 32-bit and x86
Installation Instructions
Solaris 64-bit
Installation Instructions
Linux and Linux RPM
Installation Instructions |
| TROUBLESHOOTING |
- Problem. When I try to login to the chat room:
- nothing happens
- the applet begins to load and then just sits there
- all that comes up is an empty, colored box
- I get this error message: failed com.ms.securityexceptionex(host): filedialog creation denied
Possible Cause. JRE is not installed.
Solution. Install or reinstall JRE.
Possible Cause. JRE is not running on your computer.
Solution. Enable JRE through the Control Panel
Enable JRE through your Web Browser
Configure Proxy Settings for JRE
- Problem: There is no sound in the chat room
Cause. A bug in JRE 5.0
Solution. Download and install JRE Update 2
- Problem: The chat room is not functioning properly
Possible Cause. You need to clear your web cache
Solution. Web cache clearing instructions for IE, Netscape, Mozilla, and Opera
Possible Cause. You are behind a firewall or a proxy server.
Solution. Follow the instructions here.
- Problem: The chat applet does not load and/or the Java Plug-in Control Panel shows the error: java.net.UnknownHostException: www.xxxxx.com
at java.net.PlainSocketImpl.connect(Unknown Source). Or, you see an image that looks like a small white box with a Red X in it. Or, the browser cannot display the chat applet, and shows the error message
"Loading Java Applet Failed..."
Possible Cause. The Java Runtime Environment (JRE) could not obtain proxy information from the browser. Or, the JRE is not configured correctly.
Solution. Use the Java Control Panel to change proxy settings and JRE configurations as per these instructions.
- Problem: You get the error: Illegal Operation
Possible Cause. You are trying to use the chat room from within the AOL browser.
Solution. Use Internet Explorer, which is the recommended browser for use with the chat room. Other browsers which have been tested and are compatible are: Netscape 7, and Maxthon |
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