64-bit Or 32-bit Java Jre With 32-bit Firefox?

Does the 32-bit java plugin for Firefox require the 32-bit version of the jre or can it use the 64-bit vsn of the jre, or does it operate standalone and therefore the jre vsn is irrelevant?

Last week installing another app caused a problem with my 32-bit Firefox which led to me installing the 64-bit version, but finally discovering the root source of the problem, I re-installled 32-bit Firefox. It is running fine, except that now the java plugin does not work properly.

I've re-installed the plugin, which of course is 32-bit. The plugin is symlinked as it should be in /usr/lib/browser-plugins (and I also tried this from a tarball firefox installation under ~/ as well, using the plugin folder under ~/.mozilla) from the source file in /usr/lib/jvm/java-1.5.0.../libjavaplugin_oji.so. In firefox under aboutlugins, the java plugin shows installed, too. However, java applets fail to load. Running firefox from the shell, I get this error:

Exec of "/usr/lib/jvm/java-1.5.0-sun-1.5.0_update12/jre/bin/java_vm" failed: No such file or directory
** (Gecko:20285): WARNING **: Serious fd usage error 40
** (Gecko:20285): WARNING **: Serious fd usage error 38
Could not read ack from child process
Plugin: Java VM process has died.
plugin: java process died due to signal 11
Could not start JavaVM![/b]

This suggests to me that the plugin actually calls the virtual machine from the jre, and that it is looking for the jre under the 32-bit /usr/lib/jvm/.... directory. However, on my 64-bit installation, the jre is actually under the /usr/lib64/.... directory. I don't recall reinstalling the jre as 64-bit; I had thought this was the default. But I don't want to just jump in and switch to the 32-bit jre only to bork something elsewhere.

Can anyone shed some light on which jre vsn the plugin needs, and whether it even uses it at all? I didn't have any issues with java apps before the earlier firefox problem, so whatever vsn of the jre I originally had, it worked fine, including with the plugin.

Thx in advance.

Hoping someone knows how/what file points Firefox on SUSE to where the JRE is located. I think this is a SUSE thing because of SUSE 64-bit being hybrid, i.e., also including 32-bit libraries.

I have verified that the 64-bit install with 32-bit firefox and the 32-bit java plugin, points to the 64-bit jre virtual machine for execution - the 32-bit jre in not in the .iso at all.

The env variables point to /usr/lib64 for the JRE. There are also two java control files, java.conf under /etc/java for system-wide and java.conf under ~/.java for user-specific which is optional. There is a SUSE readme in /etc/java that indicates this is used system-wide and includes instructions. I also found a C header file under /usr/lib/java-utils which, if executed, looks for these two files to set up the variables. I don't know if that code is being executed. But since the readme states that /etc/java.conf is used, then it must be being overriden by something else, i.e., firefox or the plugin is getting a /usr/lib/... path setting from another file. (I wonder if this might be in the same file that points firefox to /usr/lib/browser-plugins, which I think is also not the default firefox setup.)

I also tried changing the java settings in Firefox user.prefs (about:config), no help. And of course, removing the ~/.mozilla profile folder and recreating it; also no change.

Where is SUSE hiding these path settings?

Hi Mingus,

i'll checked this out. It looks like SUN isn't delivering a 64 bit plugin for Firefox. It's somwhat funny that they offter a real 64bit jre package but without a plugin for firefox. :unsure:

best,
Homer

Hi Mingus,

i'll checked this out. It looks like SUN isn't delivering a 64 bit plugin for Firefox. It's somwhat funny that they offter a real 64bit jre package but without a plugin for firefox. :unsure:

best,
Homer
[/b]

That's true, no 64-bit plugin. Not one planned, either. Forces the user into 32-bit Firefox.

But the 64-bit JRE does work with the 32-bit Firefox. That is, 32-bit Firefox + 32-bit plugin, can call 64-bit JRE for execution. That is the SUSE setup.

There is another thread I started regarding a completely different problem with 10.3. I've submitted a bugzilla report to Novell. On 32-bit SUSE at least - I haven't tested this x64 version of 10.3 - the 1.6 version of Java must be installed to run graphical Java apps and applets. The 1.6 version of the plugin is a different name in a different location than 1.5, and the symlinks are not set up correctly. I discovered this on a Beta3 upgraded to RC1. Today I'll be doing a fresh RC1 install and see if the symlinks are broken there, too.

That's true, no 64-bit plugin. Not one planned, either. Forces the user into 32-bit Firefox.

But the 64-bit JRE does work with the 32-bit Firefox. That is, 32-bit Firefox + 32-bit plugin, can call 64-bit JRE for execution. That is the SUSE setup.

[/b]

Well, that sounds ugly. The konqueror just calls a external program namely nsplugin to get java support. That might be a way (over a pipe or something else) to go, but that's a task for the Firefox developer, if SUN isn't willing to supports 64bit Firefox browser.
However, from the speed view it makes no sense to run a 64bit browser anyway. <_<
You could drop a e-mail to the developer. I'm sorry i can't help, but i'm busy with some savannah projects and selling my own linux software (just started a portback to 64bit of my stuff).

Well, it would be nice if you could post your results here. :-D

Best,
Homer

The konqueror just calls a external program namely nsplugin to get java support.
[/b]

Thx for the post. Umm . . . don't think so. In Konq Java settings, there is a path statement to point Konq to the JRE executable. In 64-bit SUSE, Konq is 64-bit, too. Because it calls the JRE directly, Konq doesn't need to be 32-bit or use a plugin.

Here's a how-to to get java working in firefox on a x64 OS. These instructions are mainly borrowed from Sun. You need the following:

64 bit processor. I use an Intel Dual Core x64, for example.
32 bit firefox (e.g. usr/lib/firefox). Get this from YaST-Software Management
32 bit java (eg. usr/java/jre1.5.0_13) Get this from Sun Java.
A symbolic link. Create this yourself once Java is installed.
No distractions

Firefox

Delete old firefox from usr/lib/firefox.
Go to Yast-Software Management and install new firefox. In search box, look for firefox and firefox beagle (if you want it). Important: check the version tab is for i586 (32 bit) and not x86_64:

N.B. Depsite having downloaded the i586 version, your firefox may still show in Help - About Mozilla Firefox – that the version you've got is Mozilla/5.0 (X11; U; Linux i686 (x86_64). This is what I have, but it hasn't made any difference that I'm aware of.

Java

Delete current java if present.

Don't bother getting java from YaST. Too many dependancy issues. We need to download from the following Sun Java site :

http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.5.0/jre/install.html

There you need to choose JRE 5.0 for Linux (32-bit Installation):

Download JRE 5.0 to a convenient directory. Create a new folder 'java' for this in Konqueror. For example:

Root Folder/ usr/java

Now this next part seems tricky, but is straight forward if you've done it a few times. With a few modifications, these instructions come from Sun:

This is where we install the recently downloaded java...This comes from:

http://www.java.com/en/download/help/5000010500.xml#rpm

Open up a terminal (i.e.Konsole). We need to be in super user mode so:

Follow these instructions:
1.At the terminal: Type: su
2.Enter the root password (the one you gave in the opensuse 10.3 install)
3.Change to the directory in which you want to install. Type: cd <directory path name> For example, to install the software in the /usr/java/ directory, Type: cd /usr/java/

Note about root access: To install the JRE in a system-wide location such as /usr/local, you must login as the root user to gain the necessary permissions. If you do not have root access, install the JRE in your home directory or a subdirectory for which you have write permissions.

4.Change the permission of the file you downloaded to be executable. Type: chmod a+x jre-1_5_0_13-linux-i586.bin
5.Verify that you have permission to execute the file. Type: ls -l

Your terminal should have r-read, w-write and x-executable permission now.

6.Start the installation process. Type:
./jre-1_5_0_13-linux-i586.bin

7.This displays a binary license agreement. Read through the agreement. Press the spacebar to display the next page. At the end, enter yes to proceed with the installation.The JRE is installed into its own directory. It is installed in the /usr/java/jre1.5.0_13 directory. When the installation has completed, you will see the word Done.

8.Now we need to create a symbolic link to link java and firefox:


Go to the plugins sub-directory under the firefox installation directory:

cd usr/lib/firefox

In the current directory, create a symbolic link to the JRE ns7/libjavaplugin_oji.so file. Type:

ln -s /usr/java/jre1.5.0_13/plugin/i386/ns7/libjavaplugin_oji.so .


Example:
If firefox is installed in this directory:
/usr/lib/firefox

and if the JRE is installed at this directory:
/usr/java/jre1.5.0_13

Then type at the terminal to go to the browser plug-in directory:
cd /usr/lib/firefox/plugins

Enter the following command to create a symbolic link to the Java Plug-in for the Mozilla browser.
ln -s /usr/java/jre1.5.0_13/plugin/i386/ns7
/libjavaplugin_oji.so .

Note: the space and full stop appearing after /libjavaplugin .

After this witchcraft, your /usr/lib/firefox/plugins directory should include the all important libjavaplugin_oji.so.

Start firefox browser or restart it if it is already running. Note that if you have other Mozilla components (ie: Messenger, Composer, etc) running, you will need to restart them as well.

Go to Edit > Preferences. Under Advanced category > Select Enable Java

Go to Yast-Software Management and install new firefox. In search box, look for firefox and firefox beagle (if you want it). Important: check the version tab is for i586 (32 bit) and not x86_64: [/b]

In YaST, which tab gives this information as to which architecture it is for? All I get is Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.8 and all Package Information tabs don't give such information for me.

Im using repositories:

ATI
Packman
Main Non-OSS
Main - OSS
OpenSUSE 10.3 Updates
OpenSUSE 10.3 - DVD 10.3

Am I looking in the right spot. YaST seems to automatically pick the x86_64 installations for me. What can I do?

Thx

hi the_bushy_one

may be a little late, but, just in case you've not seen those tab buttons yet (and you'll probably groan when you see where they are)...

when you go to YaST-Software Management-[firefox]

look below the results box and you'll see another box with the following tabs:

Description/Technical Data/Dependancies/Versions/File List/Change Log

Okay, they're two thirds down the page on the right (not in the menu bar at the top).

If you take a look at the Versions tab, you'll see that you can choose which architecture you want. My firefox, for example, is version 2.0.0.6-25 i586. You are after the updated 2.0.08-1.1 i586. YaST will cunningly choose the x64 version for you unless you intervene first. If x64 architecture firefox is on your system, you'll need to remove it (by finding your mozilla/firefox files and deleting manually, or, probably safer, using the trash can option in YaST). Your repositories as listed, by the way, should be fine to access the firefox i586 version that you need.

@mothrah -

Thx very much for the howto. I had already solved the problem and moved on. Now in 10.3, I'm having some issues again, so this may come in handy after all. I've got another fix or two to try before doing a wholesale replacement.