My wife needs a little computer help

[rgraham666]

Something weird is happening on my wife's computer and we could use some help.

She uses Open Office and Open Office needs Java to do some things. But Open Office claims Java isn't installed on her computer, which is weird because it was up until a couple of hours ago. She searched her computer and yes, Java appears to be gone.

However, when she tries to reinstall Java it won't install because it claims Java is already installed.

Anyone have any ideas on how to fix this?

That don't involve killing the computer my wife adds.

 

[TE999]

Something weird is happening on my wife's computer and we could use some help.

She uses Open Office and Open Office needs Java to do some things. But Open Office claims Java isn't installed on her computer, which is weird because it was up until a couple of hours ago. She searched her computer and yes, Java appears to be gone.

However, when she tries to reinstall Java it won't install because it claims Java is already installed.

Anyone have any ideas on how to fix this?

That don't involve killing the computer my wife adds.

Try going to Add/Remove Programs and see if Java's there. It's probably developed a glitch. If it is, uninstall it, download it again and reload it.

Firefox has pulled that stunt on me before.

 

[tolyk]

Something weird is happening on my wife's computer and we could use some help.

She uses Open Office and Open Office needs Java to do some things. But Open Office claims Java isn't installed on her computer, which is weird because it was up until a couple of hours ago. She searched her computer and yes, Java appears to be gone.

However, when she tries to reinstall Java it won't install because it claims Java is already installed.

Anyone have any ideas on how to fix this?

That don't involve killing the computer my wife adds.

Download and run JavaRa (http://raproducts.org/ ) to completely remove Java, then re-install Java from Sun's website: java.com

Should work.

 

[sadangel]

Have tried. Same problem. *sigh*

 

[3113]

Type of computer? Details on that computer? I don't know if that will help us, but it might.

 

[rgraham666]

Thanks all. Still working on it. Java is still installed/not installed.

3113? It's a Compaq Presario CQ2103WM. It's a couple of years old now.

It's been a lot of trouble though. It seems that something goes severely wrong with it every couple of months.

 

[TxRad]

If the JavaRa that tolyk recommended won't un-install Java then there is a good possibility there is a virus involved in the problem. Run a full scan of the system from start if your antivirus software allows that. If not then run it from safe mode. Also run your spyware removal programs also.

 

[rgraham666]

Thanks Tx. But my wife has done that. No joy.

 

[TxRad]

Something about the older Compaqs keeps nagging at the back of my mind. They are a very proprietary system. Some of them had to have the Compaq version of jave loaded before they would accept any other form of java.

 

[rgraham666]

Thanks Tx. Been at this for four hours now. Beating a brick wall with your fists would be more pleasant and have better results.

Honestly, I don't understand why people use Windows machines at all. They're as untrustworthy as WWII Italian tanks.

 

[TxRad]

Thanks Tx. Been at this for four hours now. Beating a brick wall with your fists would be more pleasant and have better results.

Honestly, I don't understand why people use Windows machines at all. They're as untrustworthy as WWII Italian tanks.

It's not the machine. It's Bill Gates screwed up operating system made out of swiss cheese.

 

[Darkniciad]

It's not the machine. It's Bill Gates screwed up operating system made out of swiss cheese.

I beg to differ when it comes to Compaq. Those things are so proprietary in both hardware and software -- as well as loaded with bloatware -- that they turn everything into a nightmare. If you install anything that's not distributed by Compaq, you're taking a chance that nothing will ever work properly again.

If you wanted Satan's own torture device back in the 90's, you just had to install AOL on a Compaq. Cram bloatware into bloatware on top of the blue-screen-of-death prone Win 95/98...

I don't want to think about it any more, because I'm starting to have flashbacks to fixing my ex brother-in-law's computer, and that makes me want to scoop the part of my brain containing those memories out with a rusty spoon.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

The older Compaq's were prone to problems like this. After HP bought them things go worse. My son had an old Compaq that caught virus that the virus program didn't know about. It started slowly to wipe his harddisk until the disk was trashed.

Try CCleaner, etc.

What version of windows? XP, Vista, Win7? Please don't say 95/98.

I have used Windows all my life, from Window 3.1 through Vista, with nary a problem. I have been infected by virus, but the tools I have installed not only caught the damn things, it cleaned them. And if they couldn't clean them then they let me know where they were so I could deal with them. Safe Mode is your friend.

 

[sadangel]

Windows XP home is the OS. Going to run Virus scan in safe mode and see what happens, again. I'm about ready to just do a reinstall of the OS. (sigh), but going to try a few more
things.

Thanks All.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

The hard drive is getting ready to say BYE BYE.

 

[jomar]

Have you tried system restore to an earlier working point?

 

[roomfor1more]

The reason why you are not able to install Java is because it is still listed in the registry. Registry lists all of the programs in the computer and if you are not careful it can damage the computer. Nonetheless the easiest way to remove something is by doing it automatically However before you uninstall Java your first step is to run a virus check and spyware check to rule out some type of infection. Once you have done it and no issues have been found then your next step would be to go the control panel to see if Java is listed. If it is , click it once and click uninstall. Should you be asked to repair or delete, this time click repair and follow any instructions. Then shut down your computer and unplug it for at least 2 minutes to clear the memory. Plug it back in and start it up. Check to see if the issue has been resolved. In the event it is not then follow the same steps, except this time choose delete instead of repair. After it Java has been uninstalled go back and try reinstalling it.

In contrast if it is not listed in the control panel then you will need to check your Start to see if Java is listed and if it has an uninstall feature. If it has then try uninstalling it via that method. However it is not then you may need to uninstall it manually. This is risky if you do not know what you are looking for because you could unintentionally uninstall something that is not Java and it could cause computer problems. Should you feel confident you will need to look for Java files, delete them and delete Java in the registry.

Another option if the above did not work is trying to take the computer back prior to the problem happening. This is found by clicking on Start>Accessories>System Tools>System Restore. However you may find, if you choose this option, that your Internet Security software has some problems. That is easily fixed by uninstalling it and then reinstalling it.

Final option is wiping the hard-drive. This will require that you use your operating software. Windows XP you select boot from disk option and then follow the on screen instructions for reformatting your hard drive. Once you are done your hard drive will be, software speaking, in factory condition. Downside to this the time it takes and if you are not confident what you are doing seek some advice before wiping the hard drive.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Be careful. If Microsoft stopped supporting XP you wont be able to download any updates that came along after your puter was manufactured.

 

[ravenmx]

Have you gone to www.java.com? They have a few things there that might help. There is a link to click to see if java is installed and at the right version. There are also links to uninstallers, error messages and fix it's if need be. I would start with the do I have java installed and go from there. If it asks to update then try the update. If it gacks during this portion, to the left should be a link pointing you to error messages and uninstalling versions of java.

If none of the above work you are probably better off doing a system restore as trying to uninstall could mean registry and file removals and a overall pain in the arse.

 

[rgraham666]

Thanks for the help, everyone. But a disk reformat and a re-install of everything had to be done.

Luckily everything was backed up. Still, a major PITA.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

One other thing about Compaq laptops...you might want to get the cooling fans, heat sink cleaned. Also, when in use, make sure the laptop(a misnomer) is on a hard flat surface so the cooling slots on the bottom are free to suck in cool air.