Java Problem with Mac OS 10.3 (Panther) Upgrade

Something went wrong with Java and the Mac OS 10.3 (Panther) upgrade that prevents the Panther version of Java from being installed on many computers.  For Java applets, this results in the previous version of Java (MRJ 69.1) being used by Safari instead of the Panther version (MRJ 99).  In some cases the applets run properly using MRJ 69.1, but in other cases the applets do not run at all.  For application programs that use Java 1.4.1, the programs crashing when loading.

Apple is aware of the problem and working on a fix suitable for general users.  It appears this will be done as soon as possible, and they are very apologetic about the problems this is causing.

It seems that the problem affects users who had installed Java 1.4.1 Update 1 and/or Quick Time Java updates and installed the Mac OS 10.3 (Panther) upgrade.  The Java 1.4.1 Update 1 download has been removed from the Apple Web site, and the download page mentions a need for "compatibility with changes made in other recent Apple software updates".

For the technically savvy (or adventurous) here is a procedure that has worked for some people running Mac OS 10.3 to exorcise MRJ 69.1 and install MRJ 99.  No guarantees are offered, but I did this myself to my own computer and it seems like it worked. I can't be responsible if you end up having to do a clean install of Mac OS 10.3.  Please make a backup of your important files if you wish to proceed with this process.

1. Be sure you are running Mac OS 10.3 (Panther).
2. Check that you have the wrong MRJ version (69.1) by opening Safari and running the Configuration Test at http://segal.org/java/configuration/ (note: do not use other browsers since they use the older MRJ 3.x.x even if MRJ 99 is correctly installed).  If Safari does not report MRJ 69.1, stop here.  If Safari crashes on the Configuration test, open the Terminal and type the following after the % sign: 
   java -version
   Close Safari. 
3. Open the Terminal program and type in the following after the % sign:
   sudo rm -rf  /System/Library/Frameworks/JavaVM.framework/Versions/1.4.1/
4. Find the file: /System/Library/Frameworks/JavaVM.framework/Versions/A/Resources/version.plist
   and change its file permissions (using File | Get info) to allow file writing, then right click on the file, choose the plist editor and change the SourceVersion number to 570000.  Save.
5. Insert the first disk of OSX 10.3, close the window that it opens, navigate to /System/Installation/Packages, double click
   Java.pkg.  The installer should launch and step you through the installation.
6. Check that you have the right MRJ version (99) by opening Safari and running the Configuration Test at http://segal.org/java/configuration/.

A listing of  many Macintosh Java bugs with demonstration applets is at this link.

If there are problems with this page please bring them up on the java-dev discussion list: http://www.lists.apple.com/mailman/listinfo/java-dev