293913 - IBM Java plugin doesn't work sometimes

Status: RESOLVED INVALID

(Core Graveyard :: Java: OJI, defect)

Description

[Mike Kaply [:mkaply]]

We've been investigating why the IBM Java plugin doesn't work sometimes, even
though it shows up in about:plugins.

Because the Mozilla code looks specifically for Javasoft to setup the plugin,
we've been using this registry code so that Mozilla can find the plugin:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MozillaPlugins\@ibm.com/Java]
"Path"="C:\\Program Files\\IBM\\Java142\\jre\\bin\\npoji610.dll"
"ProductName"="IBM Java 1.4.2"
"Description"="IBM Java 1.4.2"
"Vendor"="IBM" 

This works great 95% of the time, but there are times when the plugin is in
about:plugins, but Java doesn't work.

We tracked it down to the fact that IBM Java (and Sun Java I assume) REQUIRES
the following key in the registry:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\mozilla.org\Mozilla]
"CurrentVersion"="1.7.8"

Where CurrentVersion is apparently irrelevant.

Unforunately, based on the code in nsPluginDirServiceProvider, CurrentVersion is
only added to the registry if you are using the Sun JVM. So if you install the
Sun JVM, run Java, uninstall Sun JVM, than the IBM JVM works.

So we can either add checking for the IBM registry keys as well as the Javasoft
keys or fix it so that CurrentVersion gets added all the time.

Why is CurrentVersion only added for Javasoft?

Why wouldn't we just add CurrentVersion when plugins are initialized?

Why do we have all this code for Javasoft given that the IBM plugin works fine
without exercising any of this code?

Comment 1

[Kyle Yuan]

Michael, I did not realize that IBM is also doing Java Plugin. Could you please
give me the link where I can download IBM JRE? I'd like to give it a try.

Comment 2

[Mike Kaply [:mkaply]]

I don't believe it is available externally for public consumption on Windows -
it is part of our server products and employees use it internally. 

I would imagine that the code is available at Sun somewhere since we probably
have to give it back.

Anyway, I'll check to see if I can get a copy to give to you.

But as I pointed out, the IBM Plugin which is based on the Sun plugin works fine
without any of this code except the CurrentVersion registry change.

Why is all this code here? Just so Mozilla can find the plugin? It seems strange
to put all this code in Mozilla when the Sun Java installer can simply use the
MozillaPlugins code to tell Mozilla where to find the plugin.

Comment 3

[Kyle Yuan]

mass reassign my bugs to Pete Zha.

Comment 4

[Pete Zha]

mass reassign to Alfred

Comment 5

[Mike Kaply [:mkaply]]

IBM Java plugin isn't around anymore as far as I know.