Financial Calculators Frequently Asked Questions
I receive a message to get the "Java™ Plugin" how do I do that?
How do I enable the Java™ virtual machine for Windows XP?
Why don't the calculators appear when I use Firefox or Netscape Navigator?
How do I enable the Java™ virtual machine for Netscape 6 or Netscape 7?
How do I enable the Java™ virtual machine for Internet Explorer 7 or 8?
I use Internet Explorer (7.x through 8.x) why does a blank box with a red X appear where the applet should be?
I use Windows NT or Windows 2000 why don't the applets appear?
I use a Macintosh, which browser do you recommend?
I use Internet Explorer for Macintosh OS 9, what MRJ should I use?
I use Macintosh OS 9 Internet Explorer (4.x through 5.x) how can I improve scrolling?
How do I print the report page with AOL?
How can I turn off SUN's Java™ Plugin and use the Microsoft JVM in Internet Explorer?
Do you support Mac OS X?
I receive a message to get the "Java™ Plugin" how do I do that?
For detailed instructions on setting up the latest version of the Java Plugin from SUN Mircosystems: Click Here.
To go directly to SUN's Java™ Plug-in download site: Click Here.
Please note that on some corporate computers, you may not have the ability to add new software, such as this plug-in. If you are unable to install the plug-in by using the automatic install process, and you are in a corporate environment, you may need to get assistance from your IT support staff.
How do I enable the Java™ virtual machine for Windows XP?
If you are receiving the message "This Financial Calculator requires a Browser with Java™ Support" with Internet Explorer 7 and above on Windows XP you need to install SUN's Java Plug-in. Virtually all new computers come with Java™ technology preinstalled. However, if you see the message above you will need to download SUN's Java™ Plug-in for Internet Explorer and install it on your Windows XP computer. Fortunately, this is a simple process.
For detailed instructions on setting up the latest version of java: Click Here.
To go directly to SUN's Java™ Plug-in download site: Click Here.
Why don't the calculators appear when I use Firefox or Netscape Navigator?
If you don't see the the financial calculator in Firefox or Netscape Navigator you need to enable Java™ on your browser. To enable Java™ follow these steps:
- Open your browser.
- Click "Tools" on top menu bar and select "Options" The "Options" dialog box will pop up.
- In the "Options" dialog box select "Content" icon.
- Make sure "Enable Javascript", and "Enable Java" check boxes are checked.
- Click "OK" to close out.
If the current page you are viewing has a Java™ applet (such as one of our calculators) on it, you may need to reload the current page by pressing F5 for it to display.
For detailed instructions on setting up the latest version of Java™ technology: Click Here.
To go directly to SUN's Java™ Plug-in download site: Click Here.
If installing and enabling Java doesn't work. Open the java console (you can do this by left clicking the Java icon, which should be on the bottom right of your tool bar and choosing "Open Console"). Look for the error below:
- java.lang.NullPointerException
- at com.sun.deploy.net.proxy.DynamicProxyManager.reset(Unknown Source)
- at com.sun.deploy.net.proxy.DeployProxySelector.reset(Unknown Source)
- at sun.plugin.AppletViewer.initEnvironment(Unknown Source)
If you see an error that contains the "DynamicProxyManager" you might need to clear the general.useragent.override, fortunately this is much less painful than it sounds. To do this in Firefox or Netscape, do the following:
- Open Firefox
- In the address line stye in the following and hit enter: about:config
- In the filter line that appears type in: general.useragent.override
- Right click on the entry and choose "reset"
How do I enable the Java™ virtual machine for Netscape 6 or Netscape 7?
If you see the message "This Financial Calculator requires a Browser with Java™ Support" with Netscape 6 or 7 you need to enable Java™ on your browser. To enable Java™ applets follow these steps:
Open Netscape.
Click "Edit" on title (top) menu bar and select "Preferences" The "Preference" dialog box will pop up.
In "Preference" dialog box select "Advanced" category in the menu on the left side.
Make sure "Enable Java", and "Enable JavaScript for Navigator" check boxes are checked.
Click "OK" to close out.
If the current page you are viewing has a Java™ applet (such as one of our calculators) on it, you may need to reload the current page for it to display.
How do I enable the Java™ virtual machine for Internet Explorer 7 or 8?
For detailed instructions on setting up the latest version of Java™ technology: Click Here.
If you have already installed Java, but continue to get the message that the Java Plug-in needs to be installed, you may need to manually enable Java. Normally Java is automatically enabled when it is installed. Likewise, re-installing usually enables Java automatically as well. But we have had a few reports of this not always working properly, such as when Java had previously been disabled manually or unintentionally by security software such as a firewall.
To make sure that Java is enabled in Internet Explorer do the following:
- Open Internet Explorer and under the tools menu choose "internet options"
- Click on the "Programs" tab
- Click the button "Manage add-ons"
- In the "Show" drop down make sure "Add-ons that have been used by Internet Explorer" is chosen, then scroll down to "Java Plug-in 1.x.x_xx" The "x's" denote the Version of Java and can vary. It is safe to enable all of the entries.
- If the "Status" for the Java Plug-in is not enabled, click the row with Java in it and then click on the "Enable" radio button at the bottom of the window. Then click OK. If there are more than one Java Plug-in lines, repeart these steps for each of them.
This should enable Java to run.
I use Internet Explorer (7.x through 8.x) why does a blank box with a red X appear where the applet should be?
There are two possible causes for this issue.
First, you may need to upgrade to the newest version of SUN's Java™ Plug-in to correct this issue. For detailed instructions on setting up the latest version of SUN's Java™ Plug-in: Click Here.
Second, if you are accessing the website from inside a company with an Internet firewall, the applets are possibly being blocked by your Network Administrator. While our applets are guaranteed to be 100% safe, some Network Administers setup the firewall to block all applets. If all you see is a blank box with a red X and are sure you have Java™ technology enabled on your computer, this is the problem. Talk to your network administrator and have him allow Java™ applets to be downloaded.
I use Windows NT or Windows 2000 why don't the applets appear?
For detailed instructions on setting up the latest version of SUN's Java™ Plug-in: Click Here.
I use a Macintosh, which browser do you recommend?
The Safari browser provides the best support of Java™ applets for the Macintosh. Navigator 7.0 or higher is also a good option. Internet Explorer on the Macintosh uses Apple's "Mac OS Runtime for Java™ MRJ" which has quite a few known issues that can affect the performance of Java™ applets. This can cause issues with redrawing graphics when you scroll up or down a page, and also affects the ability for the applets to display generated reports. These are not issues with Safari or Netscape 7.0 or higher.
Generally speaking, we do not recommend Netscape 6. It has quite a few issues including but not limited to its implementation of Java™. Overall, Netscape 7 provides a much smoother internet browsing experience.
To download a Netscape browser, visit the Netscape Home Page and click on the "download" link.
I use Internet Explorer for Macintosh OS 9, what MRJ should I use?
MRJ 2.2.5 is the best (and latest) virtual machine available for the Mac.
They provide complete instructions for downloading and installing the MRJ on your computer.
To provide the best Applet support on the Macintosh, you might wish to upgrade to OS X. Apple's newest operating system has the best Applet support, with significant improvements in compatibility and scrolling.
Macintosh OS 09.x Internet Explorer (4.x through 5.x) how can I improve scrolling?
There are a couple of known issues on the Mac regarding the use of Java™ applets that can affect the calculators. Specifically, Internet Explorer which uses Apple's MRJ has issues drawing images. Fortunately, Apple has a new MRJ which addresses many of these issues. The latest version is MRJ 2.2.5. You can download the newest version from Apple's website:
They provide complete instructions for downloading and installing the MRJ on your computer.
To provide the best Applet support on the Macintosh, you might wish to upgrade to OS X. Apple's newest operating system has the best Applet support, with significant improvements in compatibility and scrolling.
How do I print the report page with AOL?
To print the calculator report with AOL, you will need to use Internet Explorer. Internet Explorer can be found by clicking the Start button and looking under the programs menu. Bring up the calculator page in internet explorer, press the "View Report" button and then choose print from the menu.
How can I turn off SUN's Java™ Plug-in and use the Microsoft JVM in Internet Explorer?
If you have installed SUN's Java™ Plug-in follow the steps below to turn off SUN's Java™ Plug-in and use Microsoft's Java™ virtural machine (JVM) instead:
Open the "Control Panel", which is located on the start menu under "Settings".
Double click the item "Java™ Plug-in 1.4.0" (it may have a slighly different version number behind it.)
When the "Java™ Plug-in Control Panel" appears click on the Browser tab and uncheck the "Microsoft Internet Explorer" box.
Hit the "Apply" button and then close the window.
Close any open Internet Explorer windows.
Restart Internet Explorer and try to access one of the calculators. It should now use the MS JVM.
This will turn off the SUN Java™ Plug-in for Internet Explorer. If you have the Microsoft JVM installed on your computer, the financial calculator applets will now load with the MS JVM.
It is important to note that some PCs might have two versions of the Java™ Plug-in installed. This would include the "Java™ Plug-in 1.3.x" along with the "Java™ Plug-in 1.4.x". If you have two versions of the Java™ Plug-in in your control panel, make sure to follow the instructions above for both. You can also uninstall one or both versions from the control panel.
Do you support Mac OS X?
Yes, in fact Mac OS X provides excellent support for Java™ applets. They have improved compatibility, screen redrawing and performance of all Java™ applets. To provide the best Applet support on the Macintosh, you might wish to upgrade to OS X.
If you are already using OS X, make sure that you have the latest release of the Java™ virtual machine running on your Mac. You can download updates directly from Apple at:
http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/apple/java131.html
Click on the link to "Java™ 1.3.1 Update 1".
This new JVM for apple was released on 2/26/2002.
For more information, please click here.