BbVista Java Plugin Issues

Blackboard Vista depends heavily on the Sun Java browser plug-in. Please pay special attention, when using the browser check tool to the Java version it detects. We have noticed several issues regarding Java version 1.6 or "J2SE Runtime Environment 6.0 update 1". We suggest that you uninstall this version and revert back to version 1.5.

Currently, we are only encountering these issues on Windows based machines. Apple has not pushed out this particular Java update for OSX.

IMPORTANT: This is a 2 step process,

• Step 1: Uninstall Java 1.6
• Step 2: Turn off Java Automatic Updates

Uninstalling J2SE Runtime Environment 6.0 update 1 (Windows XP, 2000)

Follow these steps to remove the latest java plugin. You may also view a screencast showing you these steps.

Windows XP Start Menu || View Screencast

1. Click on the Start
   
2. Click Control Panel
   
3. Click Add/Remove Programs
   
4. Scroll down to Java. You will probably see several versions of Java 2 or J2SE Runtime Environment.
5. Find the line that reads "J2SE Runtime Environment 6.0 update 1" click on it.
6. Click on it and choose Remove.
7. Once removed, reboot your machine.

Windows Classic Start Menu || View Screencast

1. Click on the Start
2. Navigate to Settings > Control Panel
3. Click Add/Remove Programs
4. Scroll down to Java. You will probably see several versions of Java 2 or J2SE Runtime Environment.
5. Find the line that reads "J2SE Runtime Environment 6.0 update 1" click on it.
6. Click on it and choose Remove.
7. Once removed, reboot your machine.

This will revert your machine to Java 1.5. Run through the browser check again to make sure everything checks out. Your Java version should read "Java version 1.5"

Turn Off Java's Automatic Updates

1. Log into World Classroom site. This will cause the Java icon to appear in the windows system tray at the bottom right-hand corner of the screen.
2. Right click on the icon and select Open Control Panel from the list of options.
   
3. Click the "Update" tab and uncheck the box box labeled "Check for Updates Automatically."
4. A box will appear asking you to if you want to "check monthly" for updates or "never check."
   Select Never Check.
   
5. Click OK.