[Solved] OpenOffice not finding Java

[DavidMWright]

I have a PC running Windows 7 and Open Office 3.3.0. Until now I've managed without a 'linked' JRE but now want to have this functionality. I have Java 8 update 40 installed and confirmed by the Java test. However Open Office is not finding it. I can browse to any of the folders in the Java folder in Program Files but I always get the same message, the folder doesn't contain a JRE. Why is this happening?

[RoryOF]

As OpenOffice on Windows is a 32 bit application it needs a 32 bit Java installed and selected within OpenOffice. You need to download a 32 bit java from www.java.com (it will have 586 in its filename). Install this - it can run alongside other Java, then select it in OpenOffice /Tools /Options /OpenOffice /Java.

[DavidMWright]

This is Windows 7 Home Premium - when I open the System control panel it confirms this is a 32-bit system. I assume Java will have installed the correct 32-bit version - when you run the Java test it confirms I have the latest version, but there is no explicit mention of 32-bit/64-bit. Having said that, I don't see any 586 in any of the filenames. Is this specifically the java.exe file you mean?

[RoryOF]

If you are using a 32 bit operating system then it should have a 32 bit Java installed. You may need to use Java 7 rather than Java 8 - I don't use Windows, so cannot help further about which precise Java works.,

[Greengiant224]

DavidMWright:
I have a PC running Windows 7 and Open Office 3.3.0. Until now I've managed without a 'linked' JRE but now want to have this functionality. I have Java 8 update 40 installed and confirmed by the Java test. However Open Office is not finding it.

As you are using an old version of OpenOffice it will not work with Java v 1.8 due to the MS VC++ runtime libraries.
You have two choices, either use Java v1.7 which is now un-supported or update OpenOffice to the current v4.1.1

Java v1.7.75 (32bit) is available here (until April 2015):
(select offline installer))
http://www.java.com/en/download/manual_java7.jsp

Java v 1.8 (32bit):
(select offline installer)
http://www.java.com/en/download/manual.jsp#win

An alternative would be to patch the runtime library to make both programs compatible. Not really
suitable for the faint hearted. It is dependant upon your expertise in navigating the OS.

Hope this helps

Greengiant224

[Bill]

If I recall correctly, legacy versions of OOo from Sun/Oracle only recognize Java versions from Sun, so OOo 3.3.0 and earlier don't recognize any version of Java later that Java 6. Installing the MS VC++ runtime libraries is sometimes necessary to get Java 7 to work with AOO versions from Apache, but I don't think installing the MS VC++ runtime libraries allows Java 7 to work with OOo 3.3.0 from Oracle.

[lvcabbie]

A bit off topic but I'm not getting similar JRE warnings when I open LibreOffice files. I follow the instructions and am told the latest version is already installed. The warning is:

LibreOffice requires a Java runtime environment (JRE) to perform this task. However, use of a JRE has been disabled. Do you want to enable the use of a JRE now?

It gives me three choices and I just select the no.

The files are just fine and I have no problems whatsoever.

Any ideas?

[thomasjk]

Lvcabbie
If you go to Tools-->Options-->Libreoffice-->Advanced does the dialog box look like the one I've attached. If not be sure to check the corresponding boxes to remove the message. I'm assuming that you are running a 32bit system. If not then you may the 64bit version of JRE installed. AOO requires the 32bit JRE.

[DavidMWright]

Installing OO 4.1.1 has resolved the problem - it's found Java OK. Thanks for the advice.

[lvcabbie]

Lvcabbie
If you go to Tools-->Options-->Libreoffice-->Advanced does the dialog box look like the one I've attached. If not be sure to check the corresponding boxes to remove the message. I'm assuming that you are running a 32bit system. If not then you may the 64bit version of JRE installed. AOO requires the 32bit JRE.

Capture.PNG

Right now, it says I've got 1.80_45 and now seems to be working just fine. Thanks