Java

There are two new zero-day Java vulernabilities identified today at http://www.zdnet.com/oracle-investigating-after-two-more-java-7-zero-day-flaws-found-7000011965/.

I have uninstalled Java on my HP desktop since it was causing crashes, something which took me literally years to figure out.  I do not want to install it again both for security reasons and because of these security concerns.

However, some Chess.com features require Java, at least on Windows systems.  I can use my android tablet for the same features.

I am considering moving from the free membership, which has been delightful and helpful, to one of the paid packages, but the Java issue is giving me pause.

Are there plans to replace the Java functionality on Chess.com or handle the Java functionality in some other way?

Thanks.

AFAIK Jave is only required for playing the chess.com computer opponents.

WRT security I'd be more concerned about the Flash player which is required for the videos.

Any scripting interpreter embedded into a web browser has potential vulnerabilities- even javascript, present virtually everywhere, and which does not require a pure java environment being installed and active.

It's November 19, 2013 and this problem persists.  I am unable to play vs. computer because Java does not run.

If you run a 64-bit OS, but a 32-bit web browser, you need the 32-bit JRE installed, else it won't work.

Then has that something to do with the configuration of your computer, not with Java itself. If the problem would be Java, then would no one on this site be able to play.

If you want someone to help you, then should you tell which OS you are using on what type of device, which version of Java, which problems you exactly have, which browser you are using. If you have any logging messages, what you have tried so far.

Success.

I am running Windows OS 7 on my Lenovo Thinkpad.  My Java is version 7 update 45.  I see a grey screen when I go to play vs. computer. Thanks for any help you are able to provide.

"Windows OS 7" 32-bit or 64-bit?

Which browser do you use?

MSIE is 64-bit on W7, and needs 64-bit JRE, while Firefox and Chrome compiled binaries are still 32-bit, and need 32-bit JRE installed.

Google Chrome.  Also does not work in Firefox.

So, install 32-bit JRE, and report back.

I'm assuming your OS is 64-bit, else you wouldn't have any issues.

I do not see where I verify my operating system as either 32 or 64 bit.  Where do I find that information, please?

Is your Java activated? Some months ago was it disabled by default due to severe security issues.

Thank you, pfren. I have looked on the Java site and find no such installation instructions when searching for "32-bit JRE". Also googling the term I am provided with an Oracle page.  I am not able to understand the instructions there.  http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/install-windows-141940.html

Best regards.

Loek, I do not see that it is "inactive." It is installed.  I find no setting to either "activate" or "inactivate" it.

Look at the extensions tab of Firefox/Chrome. There you can see if Java is enabled, or not.

You can get JRE 32-bit from here:

http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/jre7-downloads-1880261.html

Choose the i586-iftw installer.

I only found and explanation of that in Dutch, but if you type about:plugins in your address bar then will you get a page in Chrome displaying information.

I don't use Chrome, hence it is wild guessing for me, but you should be able to find Java and if there is a field activate, you can activate Java there.

Thank you, pfren.  The installation of i586-ifw did the trick.  Best regards!

Thanks, Loek!

For any future readers of this thread, the installation of i586-ifw has not, in fact, worked.  I am no longer able to play vs. computer on chess.com.  I once again have a grey screen.

I will go back to an old version of Java, as recommended by others and as has worked for me in the past.  I understand there may be security issues in doing so; what those are have not been made explicit.

The issues of running Java are unique to chess.com.  Everything else is yada yada.  I didn't come here to get a Master's in Geek.

Simply put, running even the latest version of Java in your browser puts you at risk of getting hit with new zero-day vulnerabilities (i.e., viruses, trojans, etc.). Running an older version of Java in your browser further increases that risk. Good luck; You're going to need it.