Archive for February 2013

Java not running with Mac OS 10.6

Yesterday my MacBook Pro would no longer let me log into my bank account (as well as many other web sites). In Denmark a lot of web services utilizes a central login service called “NemID” (translates to EasyID). This login procedure uses a Java applet (don’t get me started on design choices!!). And it turns out to be not-so-EasyID, when your browser (or computer) no longer runs Java. And this was exactly what happened – I could no longer run Java. Apple simply – and without warning – decided that Java was too big a risk and that I didn’t need it any longer (don’t get me started on how much I loath Apple (and Java for that matter) right now!). Well guess what, Apple, I do need it!!

So I did some googling and found this solution somewhere:

First of all – This fix does leave your computer vulnerable to certain Java exploits. Do not go ahead with this if you do not know what you’re doing. And Please make a backup of the file you’re editing!!!

And now lets get to the nitty-gritty: Open /System/Library/CoreServices/CoreTypes.bundle/Contents/Resources/XProtect.meta.plist in your favorite text editor – you need to do this with superuser roots permissions e.g.:

a. Open Terminal (Cmd+Space to open “Spotlight”-> Type “terminal+enter” to launch)

b. To open the Xprotect.meta.plist into TextEdit as root, enter:

sudo /Applications/TextEdit.app/Contents/MacOS/TextEdit /System/Library/CoreServices/CoreTypes.bundle/Contents/Resources/XProtect.meta.plist

You will be asked to enter your password – do as you’re told :-) The File should now open in TextEdit.

c. change the following values:

<key>JavaWebComponentVersionMinimum</key>
<string>1.6.0_37-b06-435</string>

to

<key>JavaWebComponentVersionMinimum</key>
<string>1.6.0_37-b06-434</string>

and

<key>MinimumPlugInBundleVersion</key>
<string>1.7.11.22</string>

to

<key>MinimumPlugInBundleVersion</key>
<string>1.7.11.21</string>

and last but not least, change

<key>LastModification</key>
<string>Thu, 31 Jan 2013 16:55:59 GMT</string>

to some date in the future. This will prevent the XProtect.meta.plist file from being updated until the date specified.

d. Now save (archive) the file and restart your browser and Voila! – Java applets should be able to launch again (you may need to reactivate by clicking “Inactive Plug-In” though)

Hope this helps, It sure helped me.