TSGL: Big trouble - blinking screen

[Tilman Brandl]

Hi HTH,

it's definitely *looking* like something that might be closely connected with Java. So I guess I'll try and remove everything first, maybe in save mode.

When I tried to remove the older JRE versions, I couldn't uninstall them, this was denied (I got errors all the time). Something may have been missing, perhaps a file that got deleted incidentally. So I HAVE already cleaned off every mention of Java using jv16 on my machine. Maybe I should have a closer look once again.

Meanwhile I suspect my machine to be thoroghly spoiled ... I've tried to install a program lately (MS's Flightsim X), which always ended with the program not working. Error was ""This application has failed to start because the application configuration is incorrect. Reinstalling the application may fix this problem." 

No idea to what this error might refer ... I've got still some work to do

Sofar I can work well with that machine as long as I keep away from TVB and control panel's Java department.

Thank you
Tilman


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: H Davis 
  To: Tech Support Guy Mailing List 
  Sent: Saturday, November 03, 2007 10:16 PM
  Subject: Re: TSGL: Big trouble - blinking screen


  Tilman,

  If your display works properly from boot up until you run TVB but gives 
  problems when running TVB and perhaps after you've exited TVB, I would 
  suspect your Java program. I think once Java is loaded by an application 
  needing it, it will stay loaded even after the program needing it has 
  been terminated. Is the Java icon present in your system tray even after 
  you kill TVB? If so, click on it and see if you can determine which 
  version is running then see the comments below.

  I'd get your Java environment straightened out first. Running the 
  Windows Installer Clean Up Utility doesn't remove the offending program, 
  only the registry references to it used by the installer. Java can be 
  removed using Add/Remove Programs in the control panel. In addition, I'd 
  also run a registry cleaner and remove any references to the Java 
  program before reinstalling the latest version.

  There is one caveat to the above. Sun suggests that some programs that 
  rely on Java will not run on new versions. Why, I don't know, but they 
  cite this as a justification for not uninstalling the old versions. 
  Leaving the old ones behind allows legacy software to be used. Not a 
  desirable state of affairs but there it is. Is it possible you have a 
  newer version of Java and your application requires an older version for 
  some peculiar reason???

  Try running the the Secunia Software Inspector (SSI):
  http://secunia.com/software_inspector/?task=load

  This is a little bit of a chicken and egg exercise because the SSI uses 
  Java to run the test. If you have a working version of Java the test 
  will run and give you a report about several of the more popular 
  programs found on your machine (including Java) and whether you have an 
  insecure version and should update. If it won't run because of a bad 
  Java install, SSI will complain and you'll have another clue.

  As a byproduct, for Java and Flash, which are notorious for installing 
  new versions without removing old versions, SSI will show you where all 
  the copies of Java are on your machine. I think both(??) of these 
  companies have special uninstall programs on their web sites to get rid 
  of the old stuff. In any event you can just delete the files by hand 
  once you know the locations.

  SSI provides this warning when it detects an old, insecure version of Java:

      NOTE. Older versions of Sun Java are not removed from your system
      when downloading and installing new versions from Sun. Therefore, if
      you have the latest Sun Java version installed, then you should
      consider removing all older versions of Sun Java from your system.
      This can be done via "Add/Remove Programs" in the Microsoft Windows
      "Control Panel". If you are in doubt about removing older versions
      of Sun Java then please contact the vendor for assistance.

  SSI will probably uncover several examples of inattention on your part 
  to updating your software :)

  HTH

  H Davis

  Tilman Brandl wrote:
  > Hi,
  >
  > I'm having big trouble. My ssreen sometimes starts blinking between normal display and (mainly) being black only. The black periods tend to grow longer over time...
  >
  > It all started with a program I'm using since some time, TV Browser - TVB. Recently it began this blinking action and eventually froze my whole PC - only restore brought it to reboot and back to live. 
  >
  > When I asked people at the forum for TVB they said: check 1. graphic card drivers 2. Java, 3. RAM
  >
  > Meanwhile I've tried to uninstall older JRE versions,  which didn't work out correctly so I ended up removing 2 versions using MS Windows Installer Cleanup. Then I uninstalled the latest version and reinstalled it - jre 1.6.0_03.
  >
  > Since then things are quiet sofar, but start again as soon as I look at the Java settings under control panel - screen goes blank=black in about 5 seconds, so I always finish playing around that way. All is well as soon as the dialog is closed ... And of course - everything is in upheaval when I try to start TVB - which is a Java application AFAIK. Just tried it a last time, took a reset again ...
  >
  > Guess I'll try and test RAM tomorrow (but - shouldn't there be more indications if there were any problems? And I could reinstall the graphics drivers too.
  >
  > If none of these make things any better I'll perhaps try a system restore (or system repair?)
  >
  > Any other ideas anybody?
  >
  > TYVMIA
  > Tilman
  >
  > Win XP sp2 + most updates; AVG + ZA.
  http://www.tsgserver.com/list/