[evilfantasy]

New Java version released.

Update your Java if the automatic updates are turned off.

Sun Java Runtime Environment 6 Update 4

Java updates are not rolling updates so remember to uninstall old versions from add/remove programs.

Then go to C:\Program Files\Java and delete all old folders.

I haven't found the release notes yet but they usually include security patches as well as any performance related issues.

[Howard]

Thanks for the info mate. New version downloaded.

Regards Howard

[Jason]

Thanks for the update, new version installed.

Regards Jason

[Daveskater]

Cheers mate, downloading the new version now (hoping my router doesn't go crazy again - the stupid thing keeps crashing today)

[Howard]

Couple of quick questions mate.

Why is the update not on the Java website?

Also, when I click the Java applet in my control panel and click the update tab/update now button, it said I already had the latest version, which is 6 update 3?

Regards Howard

[evilfantasy]

If you will notice MGs home page will show updates before any of the Home Sites have them available. I've seen it happen up to 24 hours in advance.

Everything from Firefox updates to CCleaner and so on.

The vendors would rather as many people as possible see and get the updates from host sites before they release the update on their own site and through automatic updates.

It cuts down on their server load and helps to ensure everyone gets the update on the first try.

Usually around midnight (USA) is when they start releasing the automatic updates.

Hope this helps.

[Rik]

Cheerz mate, i just did an auto update, it's easier.

[Howard]

Thanks for the info mate.

Regards Howard

[evilfantasy]

Originally Posted by Rik

Cheerz mate, i just did an auto update, it's easier.

Remember to delete the old folder out of C:\program files.

Originally Posted by howard_hopkinso

Thanks for the info mate.

Regards Howard

No problem. Another site that hosts updates early from major vendors is www.betanews.com Click on file forum.

[Howard]

The Java 6 update 4 still isn`t available via the update feature etc.

The reason for this is the Java 6 update 4 is still in beta.

Therefore, I urge caution to anyone who is thinking of installing this update.

Until it`s finally released via the Java wbsite, I recommend you only use the official latest update, which is Java 6 update 3.

Regards Howard

[evilfantasy]

Hiya mate.

It is available on the Sun Java page. 4th one down. http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/index.jsp

Release Notes: http://java.sun.com/javase/6/webnotes/ReleaseNotes.html

[Howard]

Yes mate it is.

However, It`s still not available via the updates button, nor is it available via the Java installation verification button.

According to the update feature in the control panel and the verification feature, Java 6 update 3 is still the latest current version.

Since it is well over 24hours since your original post, it is clear that Sun Java has reasons for not yet making this update official.

Until it is official, I`m just urging a little caution, that`s all.

Regards Howard

[evilfantasy]

No I agree with you on the inconsistency from one page to another on the Sun site.

Just trying to ease the mind of any who may be concerned over this.

Why it is taking so long is beyond me. I have never seen it take so long to make it to the Java web site. It is a little unsettling I do admit.

[Howard]

I had totally forgotten about this thread.

Well, it`s way over a month since this thread was started and still no updates on the Java site, either by the check for updates or the installation verification button.

This has me even more convinced that Java 6.04 is in fact beta software.

Regards Howard

[evilfantasy]

It's not Beta. It shows as the latest version everywhere but the Java home page. It is developed by Sun and is the newest version on their page as well as all of the other download sites that host it. Secunia shows the Update 4 as the latest version and they are well into the security update game.

There are blogs about the differences in what one page shows compared to another. Here are some quotes from one.

According to Secunia, anyone running Java version 1.6.0_03 from Sun should upgrade to version 1.6.0_04. They issued a pair of advisories about bugs in Java, one on Feb 6th and one on Feb 1st.

Back on January 23rd Brian Krebs wrote in his Security Fix column that version 1.6.0_04 fixed 370 bugs. As proof he linked to java.sun.com/javase/6/webnotes/ReleaseNotes.html where you can count the bug fixes for yourself.
To get the latest Java version, you can follow the link provided by the Secunia Software Inspector or you can go to java.sun.com/javase/downloads/index.jsp and look for "Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 6 Update 4"

http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/index.jsp (4th one down)

EDIT: Link to source

[Howard]

Ok, I have just emailed Java and hopefully they will get back to me with an explanation as to why Java 6 update 3 still appears as the latest version via the update button and the installation verification button.

I`m really curious and would love to get to the bottom of this.

Regards Howard

[Blind Dragon]

I updated over a week ago, but just wanted to point out in the instructions from Sun that said that there was no need to uninstall previous version. I will quote it specifically. Is this wrong? As this is what I have been giving out

Update your Java Runtime Environment

• This new release will overwrite previous installations and automatically update browsers to use this new release. The configuration files and program files folder used by Java Web Start have changed, but all your settings will remain intact after the upgrade, since Java Web Start will translate your settings to the new form.
  
  Java SE Runtime Environment 6 Update 4 First Customer Ship

[evilfantasy]

Originally Posted by howard_hopkinso

I`m really curious and would love to get to the bottom of this.

Regards Howard

True, the cnet blogger(s) haven't heard back from them so I wonder if you will have success. It would be nice.

Even though Sun and Java are the same entity it looks like they are becoming more and more like any big business and can't communicate any longer through normal means. They probably have to have the lawyers coordinate the company picnic just in case anybody has a complaint on the time and location.

Originally Posted by Blind Dragon

I updated over a week ago, but just wanted to point out in the instructions from Sun that said that there was no need to uninstall previous version. I will quote it specifically. Is this wrong? As this is what I have been giving out

Update your Java Runtime Environment

• This new release will overwrite previous installations and automatically update browsers to use this new release. The configuration files and program files folder used by Java Web Start have changed, but all your settings will remain intact after the upgrade, since Java Web Start will translate your settings to the new form.
  
  Java SE Runtime Environment 6 Update 4 First Customer Ship

You (or they) are onto two different programs. Java Web Start and Java 6 Update 4 (java runtime environment) are two different things.

And no the old version isn't overwritten by the new. They aren't rolling updates.

[Blind Dragon]

java 6 update 3 still shows as the most current version through www.java.com also

But I am confused as my java says that I have update 4. I installed through the link in my post above using their instructions not to uninstall older versions.

So is there a way for me to remove the old update? Is there a way to even find the old update? I had removed it from Add/Remove programs is there more to it?

[evilfantasy]

Go to C:\Program Files\Java

Look in the Java folder for old version folders. Delete any found.