Determining your current Java Runtime Plug-in Version

For a Windows 2000 Platform, follow these steps to determine if a Java Plug-in already exists on your machine, and, if so, which version is installed:

• Click Start

• Select Programs

• Select Accessories

• Select Command Prompt

For a Windows98 Platform, follow these steps to determine if a Java Plug-in already exists on your machine, and, if so, which version is installed:

• Click Start

• Select Programs

• Select MS-DOS Prompt

A command prompt window (Windows 2000) or MS-DOS window (Windows98)  will appear.  At this window's  C: prompt, type the following command:

            java -version

Then press the enter key.  This command will result in a message indicating whether or not a Java runtime exists on the system, and, if so, the Java version is shown.  If your version is 1.4.0 or higher, the required version is already present and no further Java plug-in installation action is necessary. 

Screenshot showing the opening of a Command Prompt window on a Windows 2000 platform.

Screenshot showing the opening of a MS-DOS window on a rWindows98 platform.

Screenshot showing the results of issuing the "java -version" command.  In this case, the required version of the Java Plug-in is already installed on the computer, and no further action is necessary in regard to installing the Plug-in from the CD.