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I'm having problems with the Java® plug-in. What advice can you give?

When connecting to the OS MasterMap® service for the first time the system will load up a Java applet to enable you to display the mapping on the data selection screen. In doing this, the system will check to see what browser you are using. This determines the way in which the Java applet is loaded.

You may experience problems during this process. The following provides a summary of these problems.

 Problem  Result Solution 

When using Internet Explorer, the Java plug–in is downloaded via a URL. Problems can occur when: 

  • the plug-in does not download; and 
  • the download is corrupted in some way.

The customer will notice that the Java plug-in has not been installed properly because: 

  • either the main screen has a grey panel rather than the mapping; or 
  • the customer's browser crashes when attempting to log in to the service.

The Java plug-in can be downloaded manually to rectify most problems. See below for how to do this and how to check that you have the correct version.

 

The Java plug-in is installed correctly but a problem with the user's environment does not allow it to run properly.

 

The customer will notice that the Java plug-in has not been installed properly because the main screen has a white panel rather than the mapping, usually with the overview of Great Britain visible.

 

This problem is due to a conflict between the Java plug-in and Microsoft® Proxy Server (v2) running on the customer's PC. The customer's IT department needs to install Proxy Server client on the affected PC.

 

When using Internet Explorer, the access rights on the PC do not allow Java plug-in downloads and/or use.

 

The customer will notice that the Java plug-in has not been installed properly because: 

  • either the main screen has a grey panel rather than the mapping; or 
  • the customer's browser crashes when attempting to log in to the service.

The customer needs to contact their IT department.

 

It should also be noted that problems have also been experienced due to the JAVA plug-in not refreshing its own cache with the most current files, and to force a refresh this cache should be cleared. To clear the cache you need to access the plug-in's control panel pop–up. This can be achieved by double-clicking on the plug-in icon, which is generally displayed in the control panel screen, that is  start > setting > control panel. 
 
 

Further trouble-shooting with the Java plug-in

Problem 1: User experiences difficulty when installing the Java plug-in. Problem likely to be caused because of the way their system is configured for locating temporary files.
See How to check you have the correct plug-in.
Problem 2: Internet Explorer 6 on Windows® 2000 does not attempt to download and install the Java plug-in when the user is on the main OS MasterMap map page.
Problem 3: Java plug-in has seemingly been installed correctly, but the browser crashes out when attempting to log in to site.
Problem 4: Customer's network infrastructure uses NTLM authentication. The Java applet fails to load and the Java Console contains a message like 'java.io.IOException: Unable to tunnel through proxy'. Proxy returns 'HTTP/1.0 407 Proxy authentication required'.
Problem 5:
 
 When downloading the Java applet a warning stating that the security certificate is issued by a company that is not trusted. 

Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation

Solution to problem 1: Manually download the plug-in installer and run the installer locally.

Before proceeding, you should check you have the necessary Windows profile permissions to install software on your machine. Your IT support department will be able to tell you this. An indication may be not having the ability to see the JAVA console or system control panel.

Steps to achieve solution to problem 1 (please note that these instructions relate specifically to Java plug-in installation on a Windows platform):

  1. Open a web browser.
  2. Paste the following into the address box:

    http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.4.2/download.html

    (Please note: If the above link is not compatible with your software, you can download an earlier version of the Java plug-in by pasting the following link into your web browser address box http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.4.1/download.html)

  3. Select '32-bit/64-bit for Windows/Linux/Solaris SPARC'. Select the 'JRE' option and click on download.
  4. You will be presented with a 'Keep Informed' page. Either complete the form and select 'accept' or select 'No thank you continue'.
  5. You will be presented with a licence conditions page. Select the 'ACCEPT' button.
  6. You will be presented with the download page. Double–click on:
    Download Windows Installation, Multi-language (j2re-1_4_2_03-windows-i586-p-iftw.exe, 1.35 Mb)
  7. You will be presented with a dialogue box from which you can choose to either open the file named in the dialogue box, or save the file to a convenient place on your hard disk. The 7.64 Mb download may take a few minutes. If you choose to open the file the installation will be automatic following the download.
  8. If you chose to save the file, when download is complete use Windows Explorer to go to where you saved the file, and double–click on the file to run it.
  9. When installation is complete, you may have to reboot your machine.
  10. Log into the OS MasterMap website. The plug-in should now function.

Please note: During downloading, a dialogue box requesting to disconnect from the Internet may appear. If this happens, click 'continue'.

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Solution to problem 2: Repair installation of Internet Explorer 6 on Windows 2000

Steps to achieve solution to problem 2:

  1. Go to the Windows Control Panel.
  2. Click on 'Add/Remove Programs' icon.
  3. Select 'Repair Installation' option for Internet Explorer 6.
  4. Log in to the OS MasterMap website.
  5. Select 'Estimates'.
  6. In the 'Options' panel select 'New estimate' -> 'User defined area'.
  7. You will then be directed to a page that contains a Java applet for displaying maps. The browser will download the Java plug-in when it reaches this page.

If the problem still occurs: Clear your temporary Internet files, cookies and Java cache, then do this:

  1. Open Internet Explorer.
  2. Click 'Tools' on the menu bar.
  3. Click 'Internet Options' on the drop down menu.
  4. Click on the 'General' tab.
  5. Click the 'Delete files' button in order to delete temporary Internet files.
  6. Click the 'Delete Cookies' button.
  7. To clear the Java cache, go to 'Start', 'Settings', 'Control panel'.
  8. Double click on the Java icon. Select the 'Cache' tab and click on 'Clear cache', 'Yes' then 'Apply'.
  9. Now return to the OS MasterMap website again.

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Solution to problem 3: Check whether the Java plug-in is corrupted, uninstall then reinstall

Steps to achieve solution to problem 3:

  1. Go to the Windows Control Panel.
  2. Double-click on the 'Java Plug-in 1.4.2_03' icon. If the Java plug-in Control Panel does not appear, the download may not have been successful.
  3. Click on 'Add/Remove Programs' icon.
  4. Select 'Add/Remove' option for 'Java 2 runtime environment standard edition v1.4.2_03'. Select yes to question about whether you want to remove the installation.
  5. Follow solution to problem 1 to reinstall the Java plug-in by hand.

Solution to problem 4: Install the latest Java plug-in version

As the NTLM authentication mechanism is not supported by Java plug-in versions prior to 1.4.2_02, the latest version needs to be installed.

  1. Install the latest Java plug-in version available from 

    http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.4.2/download.html

    (Solution 1 details download procedure)

  2. Log into the OS MasterMap website. 
  3. Enter your user name (local network user name, for example, jbloggs) and password.
  4. The user name should be preceeded by the domain name (local network domain) in the form domain\username (for example, OS\jbloggs)

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Solution to problem 5: Install the latest Java plug-in version

Manually download and install a later version of the Sun® Java Plug-in from the following website:

http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.4.2/download.html 

(Solution 1 details download procedure)

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How to check you have the correct JAVA plug-in. (version 1.4 or later)

  1. Start a web browser session and in the 'File Edit View….' bar either select:
    'View->Java Console' or 'Tools->Sun Java Console'.
  2. Log on to the OS Mastermap data selector.
  3. Select 'Estimates'.
  4. In the 'options' panel select 'New estimate' -> 'User defined area'
  5. You will then be directed to a page that contains a Java applet for displaying maps.
    In the bottom right-hand corner of your screen, in the system tray, will appear either of the the icons shown below:
    system tray
  6. Double-click on the icon and a console window will appear:
    console window

    Java Console
  7. If you do not have the required Java plug-in you will be prompted via a pop-up box to download the correct version. Just click on 'ok' and the download and installation should take just a few minutes, and will not require any intervention.

    Note: If there are problems in downloading this software extension to the Java run-time environment on your machine, then it is likely that there is a security issue with your site.
    Any errors will be reported in this console window. If you cannot access the window there may be a security issue with your machine.

  8. To view the plug-ins installed on your machine go to 'Start->Settings->Control Panel.
    Windows Control Panel
  9. Double-clicking on the plug-in name will bring up the control panel for the plug in.
    Java Plug-in Control Panel
    Note : If you cannot see the control panel or access the plug-in control panel then your machine probably does not have enough privileges.

  10. For Internet Explorer you should also check that your browser's HTTP1.1 settings are set as follows:
    Internet Explorer browser settings

Java and Sun are registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. 

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