How to Install Java Runtime Environment (JRE) in Ubuntu
Posted by admin on April 15th, 2007 
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The language itself derives much of its syntax from C and C++ but has a simpler object model and fewer low-level facilities. JavaScript, a scripting language, shares a similar name and has similar syntax, but is not directly related to Java.
Currently Ubuntu has the following Java packages
sun-java6-bin - Contains the binaries
sun-java6-demo - Contains demos and examples
sun-java6-doc - Contains the documentation
sun-java6-fonts - Contains the Lucida TrueType fonts from the JRE
sun-java6-jdk - Contains the metapackage for the JDK
sun-java6-jre - Contains the metapackage for the JRE
sun-java6-plugin - Contains the plug-in for Mozilla-based browsers
sun-java6-source - Contains source files for the JDK
Installing the Java Runtime Environment
First you need to check multiverse repository enabled or not after that open a terminal window. Since you are going to be installing the JRE and the web browser plug-in, you’ll be using the following command from a terminal
sudo apt-get install sun-java6-jre sun-java6-plugin sun-java6-fonts
Once it downloads the packages and begins the installation, you’ll get a screen that contains the Sun Operating System Distributor License for Java and hit Enter to continue. You’ll see a dialog that asks you if you agree with the DLJ license terms. Select Yes, and hit Enter; the JRE will finish installing.
Testing Java Runtime Environment
You’ll want to confirm that your system is configured properly for Sun’s JRE. This is a two-step process.
First, check that the JRE is properly installed by running the following command from a terminal.
java -version
You should get similar output
java version “1.6.0″
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.6.0-b105)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 1.6.0-b105, mixed mode, sharing)
Testing Java Plugin for Firefox
open Firefox and typing about:plugins in the address bar and check for java plugin
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April 20th, 2007 at 10:14 am
That’s odd.
When you installed sun-java6-* I do not expect java -version to give
Java version “1.5.0_08″Java(TM) 2 Runtime Environment, Standard Edition (build 1.5.0_08-b03)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 1.5.0_08-b03, mixed mode, sharing)
but more something like
java version "1.6.0_01"Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.6.0_01-b06)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 1.6.0_01-b06, mixed mode, sharing)
I do have a question though: Is Java 6 or Java 6U1 (6 update 1) installed?
April 20th, 2007 at 11:42 am
thank you OliBlogger i have updated the correct ouput and java6 only not java6u1
April 20th, 2007 at 8:35 pm
It’s 3″30 and i just installed sun-java6-.
When I run java -version I get:
java version “1.4.2-02″
Java(TM) 2 Runtime Environment, Standard Edition (build Blackdown-1.4.2-02)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build Blackdown-1.4.2-02, mixed mode)
Should I not get Java version “1.6.0″
thanks
April 22nd, 2007 at 8:15 am
Yes, but you have to set Sun’s Java as default java.
April 23rd, 2007 at 5:31 pm
Got it. thank you.
April 24th, 2007 at 3:19 am
when i configure jre on my ubuntu, a blue print is shown ,something like sun license,but no any more response.i don’t know why?
then i type
sudo apt-get install sun-java6-jre sun-java6-plugin sun-java6-fonts
in a new terminal,there is:
E: Unable to lock the administration directory (/var/lib/dpkg/), is another process using it?
April 24th, 2007 at 10:33 am
@sunny
you are running another apt-get process you can check this using
ps -ef
look for apt-get process number and kill the process using the following command
kill -9 processid
April 28th, 2007 at 1:50 am
OK - here’s what I had to do.Put:
into terminal and it stalled when I got a blue screen. Then I went to Synpatics Package Manager where I got a message about a broken package, it had instructions on what to do from the terminal, did that
Ran the terminal command again adn this time it went through. Then ran it a third time to get the browser plug-in.
April 28th, 2007 at 1:59 pm
EDIT
after using dpkg –configure -a
I restarted Synaptics and found JRE in the Installed (upgradable) section and that worked to install (clicked Apply)
I now had the JRE updated, but stil no browser plug-in, so I ran
sudo apt-get install sun-java6-jre sun-java6-plugin sun-java6-fonts
a second time and it installed the plug-in
April 29th, 2007 at 9:20 pm
im a serious noob at this stuff so bare with me
when im in the terminal and i type in
sudo apt-get install sun-java6-jre sun-java6-plugin sun-java6-fonts
i get
sun-java6-fonts
Reading package lists… Done
Building dependency tree… Done
E: Couldn’t find package sun-java6-jre
any1 know whats up?
April 29th, 2007 at 10:49 pm
you need to make sure you have enables universe,multiverse repositories in your /etc/apt/sources.list file
May 2nd, 2007 at 1:25 am
ahh ok changed and works!
thanks admin
May 3rd, 2007 at 1:22 am
I have the version 1.6.0 loaded, how do I get the update? I am trying to work a Ubuntu 7.04 machine for my wife, she wants to play on the Pogo website and it’s a no go. It says I need the most current version of Java runtime.
May 10th, 2007 at 9:09 pm
Like others, I am getting stuck with the blue screen showing the Sun Java license agreement. I have no idea how to “accept” this license: there doesn’t seem to be any button to click, and I have tried the Return, Y (for Yes), O (for OK) and spacebar but there doesn’t seem to be any way to close the dialog and continue with the installation. Any tips would be appreciated (I am clueless about what I am doing!)
P.S. to make things a little more complicated, I am running Ubuntu as a virtual OK on my Mac Book Pro using Parallels!
May 10th, 2007 at 9:28 pm
Problem went away by itself… The software update feature in Ubuntu kicked in and gave me Java 1.6!
June 6th, 2007 at 11:10 pm
I did as instructed but nothing happened when i pushed “enter” in the bluescreen. I then closed the window and ran the command again but then got the following message: E: dpkg was interrupted, you must manually run ‘dpkg –configure -a’ to correct the problem.
Anyone know what went wrong and what i can do to fix this?
June 6th, 2007 at 11:17 pm
I actually got the same error message when i tried to open Synaptic package manager too, making it impossible to run. Hope someone can help me with this, i’m a linux noob…
June 6th, 2007 at 11:29 pm
nevermind, was a bit to hasty…
June 18th, 2007 at 4:20 pm
I just got the license agreement blue screen without any input key. But when I restarted the installer apt-get requesting to install j2sdk package, I managed to accept the license of j2sdk by a message box with yes / no buttons. but now I am stuck at the java6 license agreement which does not include an action button to accept the license. Any one have an idea about how to solve this problem
June 18th, 2007 at 4:23 pm
A strange thing happened now. when I used the down arrow key until it sets the focus on and pressed Enter, it shows up a yes/no message box through which I was able to accept license of java6
June 20th, 2007 at 8:53 pm
I had the same problem. I scrolled all the way to the bottom and then clicked on TAB to get the button to be highlighted. This took me a long time to figure out!
June 26th, 2007 at 6:30 pm
Oops my Java comments should have been Here.
I have Ubuntu 6.06 now and went to Sun’website to download java for Linux….curiously they appear to do versions for RedHat and others, but not Ubuntu.
I can’t get my head round repositories and other stuff…perhaps I should have looked there first and then done what was shown in #10,#11′#12 (above). Clearly, I still need a step-by-step guide.
In the past I’ve groaned about .PDF’s - but now 6.06 reads them!
Ah, printers next….after JAVA, which I need for streaming prices on websites I visit. Curiously under Win98SE/IE5 the latest Java messes up, so I have to block it and resume with the earlier version that came bundled…..I don’t understand……what is Java and how does it run under another OS? Probably best to stay ignorant…..but I’d like to have the streaming prices under Firefox.
Bye.
June 28th, 2007 at 11:11 am
I had the same problem as someone else. I also recieved the message telling me the sun-java6-jre couldnt be found. I noticed there was a response, and I had done what the person said. I still seem to be getting the same error….I’m not even sure what version of ubuntu i have, If anyone could help me figure out what I’m missing I’d really apprciate it.
July 14th, 2007 at 3:46 am
Well this worked great for me…
However, I was wondering how I might go about installing Java 6 Update 2? There is a security fix in it I’d like to have.
Similar method?
July 23rd, 2007 at 7:30 pm
Hi,
Use the down arrow until you reach the bottom, then use the tab key to move the cursor to highlight the OK, then hit enter, do the same on the next screen that pop ups up too, should work fine every time. This is often standard for these types of installs…
Hope this helps!
Duane
August 5th, 2007 at 1:31 am
Hi for the blue screen I found how to fix it.
I closed the terminal, launched another terminal and typed “dpkg –configure -a”
August 5th, 2007 at 1:36 am
Hi
In fact you should install it through Synaptic Package Manager. It will allow you to installl it
August 29th, 2007 at 3:00 pm
Frist, you have to close Firefox, or it won’t work.
Then, I got this message: Use of uninitialized value in print at /var/lib/defoma/scripts/gs.defoma line 108
September 5th, 2007 at 3:58 am
For people have problems with their java coming up with an old version after you install the new 1.6, do the following from a root shell:
> update-java-alternatives -s java-6-sun
This will change the Java engine over to the new version.
You can check the installed version or change with:
> update-java-alternatives -l
..which will give you output similar to:
java-6-sun 63 /usr/lib/jvm/java-6-sun
java-gcj 1041 /usr/lib/jvm/java-gcj
September 13th, 2007 at 8:28 am
Thnx Les! My java also pointed to the old version, but not anymore
September 19th, 2007 at 11:44 pm
Yes, Les, thanks for that. Just what I needed too.
January 27th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
I have followed the above instructions and Java was installed no problem. When I go to yahoo games it says I don’t have java. What am I doing wrong?
Thanks
Helen
January 27th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
try to run the following command in your firefox
about:plugins
and check java plugin is showing or not
January 28th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Hi
Yes the java plugin is showing
February 3rd, 2008 at 10:32 pm
when i do it(pasted sudo apt-get install sun-java6-jre sun-java6-plugin sun-java6-fonts) it said that the installer sun-java6-jre can not be found, what should i do =S
please help me
February 3rd, 2008 at 10:39 pm
also i tried the
/etc/apt/sources.list file
and it said
/etc/apt/sources.list file
bash: /etc/apt/sources.list: Permission denied
March 28th, 2008 at 3:28 am
Help me please, I’m totally nob.
I try to run “about:plugins” in my firefox but java plugin is not showing
Thanks before.
April 5th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
@prast
try this
Check your java version.
java -version
In my case is the last one from the Ubuntu repo:
1.6.0_05
Configure java with the following command
sudo update-alternatives
--configjavaNow go to /usr/lib/jvm/java-6-sun/jre/bin/java
Run the following command from terminal
sudo sed -i ’s/XINERAMA/FAKEEXTN/g’ /usr/lib/jvm/java-6-sun-1.6.0.05/jre/lib/i386/xawt/libmawt.so
Delete all links
sudo rm -r /usr/lib/firefox/plugins/libjava*
sudo rm -r /usr/lib/firefox-plugins/plugins/libjava*
sudo rm -r /usr/lib/firefox-3.0b3/plugins/libjava*
Reconfigure alternatives
sudo update-alternatives
--allLeave everything as default except for
rmiregistry
java
keytool
rmid
orbd
All of these entries must have /usr/lib/jvm/java-6-sun/jre/bin/ as alternative
From the terminal refresh java shortcuts
sudo update-java-alternatives -s $(update-java-alternatives -l | cut -d’ ‘ -f1)
Then re-create java shortcuts for Firefox(es):
sudo ln -s /usr/lib/jvm/java-6-sun-1.6.0.05/jre/plugin/i386/ns7/libjavaplugin_oji.so /usr/lib/firefox/plugins/
sudo ln -s /usr/lib/jvm/java-6-sun-1.6.0.05/jre/plugin/i386/ns7/libjavaplugin_oji.so /usr/lib/firefox-plugins/plugins/
sudo ln -s /usr/lib/jvm/java-6-sun-1.6.0.05/jre/plugin/i386/ns7/libjavaplugin_oji.so /usr/lib/firefox-3.0b3/plugins/
Now open Firefox, type about : plugins in the address bar and java should be there
April 11th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
Hi,
To accept the license, I click on F12.
I have ubuntu feisty fawn installed with current updates. I used your terminal command which installed the .deb file. I can use java in both Firefox and my default browser Swiftweasel. But,
When I type in java -version, I get the following:
The program ;java’ can be found in the following packages:
jsrel.4, gij-4.1, kaffe, jamvm java-gcj-compat, cacao, sablevm,
bash: java: command not found.
When I do a search for ‘java’ file in system, I have links (broken) in the following for /etc/alternatives, for java, javaws,javaws.1.gz java_vm. And links (broken) in /usr/bin for javaws, java, java_vm, and link (broken) in /usr/share/man/man1 for javaws.1.gz and java.1.gz
April 23rd, 2008 at 4:41 am
Hi,
I can’t seem to get firefox to recognize Java. I’ve installed the plugin and tried your instructions above, but when I make the sym link it comes up as a broken link…any ideas why that’s happening?
Many thanks!
May 6th, 2008 at 12:40 am
I also could not get firefox to use sun-java. I tried a lot of ideas from forums, etc. It finally started to work after running:
sudo update-alternatives –config xulrunner-1.9-javaplugin.so
and selecting the line for sun java. This was using sun-java6.
I found this by running “update-alternatives -all” and selecting everything that looked like sun java. The above was the only one that I found that had not already be set to a sun java with –config java” and “–config jre”
May 7th, 2008 at 5:04 am
Can anyone please tell me how to install JRE for IE in ubuntu?
Thank you…
May 22nd, 2008 at 10:09 am
look im trying to run runscape for 3 months so pls if u have a guide pls tell me thank u
May 28th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
If some one is stuck at license page. He should follow these steps.
1- Press the tab key, control will go at
2- Then press enter key
June 10th, 2008 at 8:11 am
Ubuntu 8.04
Guide worked absolutely fine for me - but I’m glad I read the bit about using the arrow down key and tab key on the licence page.
June 10th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
I’m Mr. “no idea of installation”
i,m also a noob in this kind of situation and i think this problem would be very simple to answer….
when i started to open the package it says:
“dependecies not satisfiable” then a name of an anther software next to it(e.g. jdk bla bla bla)…
what will i do
June 10th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
ca n u guys help me???
June 19th, 2008 at 12:44 am
I just installed Ubuntu. Never used anyother opperating system before. I can see why. The last time I had trouble installing stuff was back in Win 95 days. However I will persist and learn. Just wish it was easier to install stuff.
June 21st, 2008 at 6:15 pm
Gh423 in comment 41 had the final key for me as well. I’m running hardy and firefox 3. There is a test applet for seeing your results.
Thanks everyone.
June 22nd, 2008 at 5:39 am
I just started using linux for the first time today and im loving its versatility, but i really dont know how to install anything i know i probably shouldn’t be posting here, but you guys seem to really know the OS so i was wondering if you could point me towards a site that could teach me all the stuff i need to know to use Ubuntu properly.
June 26th, 2008 at 11:15 pm
Can anyone help with this.someone else also posted the similar one but i didnt find any solution to it.
The program ‘java’ can be found in the following packages:
* java-gcj-compat-headless
* openjdk-6-jre-headless
* j2re1.4
* kaffe
* cacao
* gij-4.1
* jamvm
* gij-4.2
* sablevm
Try: sudo apt-get install
bash: java: command not found
i dont know how to add the java javac and commands like this to run in terminal. Thanks
July 1st, 2008 at 4:38 pm
#51: if you are using ubuntu just run the following in the given order
$ sudo apt-get install sun-java6-bin sun-java6-jre sun-java6-jdk
$ sudo update-java-alternatives -s java-6-sun
and then add the line below at the start of /etc/jvm file
/usr/lib/jvm/java-6-sun
the commands should work for other distros too. But am not sure if they come with an update-java-alternatives utility
July 1st, 2008 at 10:42 pm
hey everyone
i only want to download javaaaaaaa!
any kind the 6 or the 5 or w/e just need some help cuz when i download it.. it doesnt do anything!!!
is it my internet or something!?
July 5th, 2008 at 1:05 am
#52: THANK YOU! That “sudo update-java-alternatives -s java-6-sun” totally fixed my CLI java.
July 6th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
OMG…How simple was that!
Keith S-C
“I had the same problem. I scrolled all the way to the bottom and then clicked on TAB to get the button to be highlighted. This took me a long time to figure out!”
Me To… Oh Brother!
Thanks Keith for the input. I was hitting everything on the keyboard that had to do with the term.
Boy do I feel like a dummy.
July 6th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
By the way all of this to look at the radar maps on the National Weather Service’s site nws.noaa.gov or
http://radar.weather.gov/Conus/index_loop.php
We are in our hurricane season now in Florida an I rather be seeing a Java based moving image then a static one.
July 24th, 2008 at 9:26 am
This was about the most trouble free install guide for Java that I’ve found. It went without a hitch.
August 8th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
I am trying to install java 1.6 downloaded from Sun. Following their directions on how to install it, I keep getting “no such file or directory”. can one of you please help out a newby?
Thanks
August 9th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
@ 58: I’m newby too and got it working through this link: http://openjdk.java.net/install/
For me, this worked fine, after I first followed the steps of comment #52, but could not save changes to ‘/etc/jvm file’
(and it seems that’s a necessity to get it working)
Well, then I just followed the steps here: http://openjdk.java.net/install/
et voila, all works fine now. good luck
August 13th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
hay guys,
I am trying install Java Runtime Environment JRE.. this the commmand i use … sudo apt-get install sun-java6-jre.. this what i get
Reading package lists… Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information… Done
E: Couldn’t find package san-java5-jre
does any1 got any idea whats that mean..
August 13th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
If you want to install java5 use the following command
error :- E: Couldn’t find package san-java5-jre
package name sun-java5-jre not san-java5-jre
sudo aptitude install sun-java5-jre
If you want to install java6 use the following command
sudo aptitude install sun-java6-jre
August 15th, 2008 at 11:15 am
when entering
./jre-1_5_0_08-linux-i586-rpm.bin
in my bash script
what can i add to it to accept the licencing agreement
it must be in the bash script to enter yes.
thanks
August 22nd, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Hi! Thanks for this information. It’s useful. Bye!
August 25th, 2008 at 11:29 am
Worked like a charm, thanks for this
September 20th, 2008 at 2:27 am
Ubuntu gurus help. I tried running java runtime environment on my laptap (fujitsu lifebook A series) and all seemed to go well until I get the screen that said to select ‘yes’ which I screwed up and closed the screen because I didn’t think it responded.
I tried running “dpkg –configure -a” and I get this:
dpkg: need an action option
What am I doing wrong? Please help.
September 20th, 2008 at 3:56 am
oops, i forgot to add…i am using ubuntu 8.04
October 16th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Thanks, guys! I got my java working again.
I’m on Hardy and had Open JRE which was broken. All I got was a grey box at java.com’s java test.
I tried the installing as according to the initial instructions at the top of the page but only the missing files were added.
But the java test still did not work.
Then I followed Les’ advice on message 39 and did the update for java.
Now java works fine for me now
October 16th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Opps…Les’ message is at message 29, not 39.
October 22nd, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Hello every1,
8,10 beta version
when i type the command sudo apt-get install sun-java6-jre sun-java6-plugin sun-java6-fonts i get the following message:
Reading package lists… Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information… Done
sun-java6-jre is already the newest version.
sun-java6-jre set to manually installed.
Package sun-java6-plugin is not available, but is referred to by another package.
This may mean that the package is missing, has been obsoleted, or
is only available from another source
E: Package sun-java6-plugin has no installation candidate
universe and multiverse repositories are enabled.
I have installed the newest java version from the synaptic,but still i cant see the plug in at firefox and i cant run some application that need java,
P.S.i am new to linux ,
thanks
October 23rd, 2008 at 3:23 pm
@Spy Mag
You need to make sure you have multiverse repositories are enabled in Ubuntu Intrepid
November 5th, 2008 at 9:46 am
after I run command sudo apt-get install sun-java6-jre sun-java6-plugin sun-java6-fonts
E: dpkg was interrupted, you must manually run ‘dpkg –configure -a’ to correct the problem.
What`s the problems?
November 5th, 2008 at 9:49 am
And after I runed Synaptic manager this message showed:
E: dpkg was interrupted, you must manually run ‘dpkg –configure -a’ to correct the problem.
E: _cache->open() failed, please report.
what can I do with this problem?
November 5th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Thanksssss Wikidkaka workksssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss!
November 9th, 2008 at 9:37 pm
it says
E: Package sun-java6-plugin has no installation candidate
can u please help
November 9th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
@Mike
Make sure you have universe and multiverse repositories in your source list