Java

What is Java?

Java is a software component used by many browser-based applications. Here at Middlebury College, a number of our internal systems use Java, including Hyperion, Banner INB, and Nolij. Java is installed like an application but works as a "plug-in" with a web browser, such as Firefox or Internet Explorer.

The Java logo

Java Versions and Middlebury College

Banner 8 INB and Perceptive Content are certified to be compatible with any version of Java 8.

A new major version of Java has been released, called Java 9. Banner INB and Perceptive Content will not run if Java 9 is installed. As of October of 2017, Java updates are still being released for Java 8.

Checking your Java Version

There are a number of handy websites you can use in order to check to see what version of Java you have installed. Here are some examples:

• http://www.java.com/en/download/installed.jsp
• http://javatester.org/version.html
• http://www.atcsim.nasa.gov/version/

Uninstalling old/wrong Java

Windows 7

1. Go to the Start Menu, then Control Panel, then Programs
2. For each instance of Java in the installed programs list, click once to highlight it then click the button for [Uninstall]
   

Windows 10

1. Go to the Search (magnifying glass)
2. Type Control Panel, then click on the result
3. Under Programs, click on 'Uninstall a program'
4. For each instance of Java in the installed programs list, right-click and choose 'Uninstall'
   

Installing Java

1. Close all web browser windows (Firefox, Internet Explorer, etc)
2. Open up Computer from the Start menu, then open up Middfiles
3. Dig down to \Software\Public\Java\Windows
   1. XXX refers the update number, which will vary.
4. Locate the file named like jre-8uXXX-windows-i586.exe and double-click on it to start the install

Not on the Middlebury network? Use these instructions to download Java:

1. Go to this link
2. Under "Java SE Runtime Environment 8uXXX" (should be at the very top of the page), check the dot for "Accept License Agreement"
3. Download the file for "Windows x86 Offline" which is named jre-8uXXX-windows-i586.exe
4. Install Java from this file you just downloaded

Disabling Java Auto-updates

By default, Java will check for new updates and prompt you to install a new version.

If desired, you may turn off Java auto-updates.

To do this:

Go to your C: drive.

Click on Program Files (x86), then Java, then jre[version name currently installed], then bin.

Right-click on javacpl (see screenshot below) and choose 'Run as administrator.'

After you choose 'Run as administrator,' the Java Control Panel will open.

1. Click on the "Update" tab
2. Uncheck the box that says "Check for Updates Automatically". You'll get an warning box, just click the button [Do Not Check]
3. Click the [Apply] button.
4. Click the [OK] button to close the Java Control Panel.

Macs and Java

The situation with Java on a Mac is a bit different than on Windows PCs. A Mac doesn't initially have Java installed but the first time you run an application that requires it (such as many Adobe programs), you will get prompted to install Java if you don't already have it installed. This isn't the case with websites that require Java, such as Nolij, so you need to trigger the Java install via other means (see below). Once Java is installed, any new updates from Apple will be automatically managed through Apple Software Update just like system updates.

Manually triggering a Java install on a Mac

One easy way to manually trigger a Java download is via the terminal:

1. Click on Spotlight (the magnifying glass in the upper-right corner) then type Terminal
2. Click on the application "Terminal" in the search results. It should have a black square icon
3. A Terminal window should appear with a command prompt. In this box, type: java -version
4. If Java is installed, it will report the version. If it is not installed, you will be prompted to install it

Removing Java on a Mac

Navigate to http://www.java.com/en/download/help/mac_uninstall_java.xml and follow the instructions.

Downloading and installing Java 8 on a Mac

1. Go to this link
2. Under "Java SE Runtime Environment 8uXXX" (should be at the very top of the page), check the dot for "Accept License Agreement"
3. Download the file for "macOS" which is named jre-8uXXX-macosx-x64.dmg

Download it to your desktop and follow install instructions.

Logging in to INB using Java 8

Note: This section only applies to INB (Internet Native Banner) users.

Java will pop up various security prompts when accessing INB. Some of these answers may seem counter-intuitive. You would not answer these questions the same if you were just surfing the internet. In this case however you are accessing Middlebury College systems. In theory, you trust them and you want them to work so you need to enable all the content and functionality.

Instructions are given for Windows 7/Windows 10 to help you navigate pop-ups you will see using Java.

Open either Internet Explorer.

Navigate to go/inb.

Click ‘INB Production’ link below.

Windows 7 or Windows 10/Internet Explorer 11/Java

The first time you run INB with Windows 7 or Windows 10/Internet Explorer 11/Java , you may see the following pop-ups:

Click the ‘Do not ask again until the next update is available,’ checkbox. Then click ‘Later.’

This warning will not show again until a new version of Java has been released.

Click ‘Don’t block.’ This warning will come up each time you run INB.

The following series of pop-ups are also possible with Windows 7 or Windows 10/Internet Explorer 11/Java :

Click in the bar (highlighted in blue) where it says ‘click here…’ Select ‘Run Add-On.’

Click 'Run'

Click ‘Don’t Block.’ This warning will come up every time you run INB.

Windows - Fixing Application Blocked Error While Starting Banner INB

Problem: While starting Banner INB, you receive a pop-up that looks like this on your desktop:

Please use the Remote Desktop Services (RDS) environment to access Banner INB. Although accessing Banner INB through your desktop is still possible, utilizing RDS is the preferred option.   We would like to eventually phase out all access to Banner INB using your local machines and require RDS for this access.   Using RDS to access Banner INB is more secure and allows us to keep your local machines up to date with the latest OS, browser, and Java releases.  Using RDS is also easier to support and maintain long term so that issues such as those seen yesterday occur less often.

If you are a first-time user, please see the RDS help page to get started.

If you have used the RDS environment in the past, the direct link is go/rds