[Solved] Java RE not responding/defective

[Nocton]

I have an application using Base which needs Java Runtime environment. All was working OK, but today when I logged in I got the message that JRE was not available. Checking under Tools/Options/Java no JRE was shown. I navigated to the Java path only to be told that no JRE was available. However, I also noticed that above the Java options window it says "JRE already installed". I have uninstalled Java and re-installed it, but to no avail. I have also run 'java - version' under Windows Command and it responds with the correct version 1.8.0_471.

Can anyone advise what the problem is as it is driving me mad, especially as I have changed nothing since I last used Base?

[RoryOF]

For OpenOffice at present, it needs to be a 32 bit Java, which I think can be installed in Windows, then selected in OpenOffice. As I don't use Windows I can give no more specific help.

[MrProgrammer]

I got the message that JRE was not available. … Can anyone advise what the problem is?

Please search first before posting. I think this question is asked about once a week. I run MacOS and do not offer to help further with specific advice to you for installing a 32-bit Java on Windows. I could read the many solved topics about Java on Windows, but this is your problem and you can do that as well.
Search found more than 200 matches: Java runtime

If this solved your problem please go to your first post use the Edit ✏️ button and add [Solved] to the start of the Subject field. Select the green checkmark icon at the same time.

[DiGro]

Check if the version of Java for the 32-bit is in the PATH of the Environmentvariables.

Type "variables"in the Search box. It should come up with Environmentvariables for the system (or something like that, I'm on Dutch build)

In the dialog that opens, there should be a button Environmentvariables on the bottom.
Click that and then search for the variable PATH. It should show something like: C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Oracle\Java\java8path

From MSO:
Click your Start Button, then just type advanced system

On the resulting list, open 'View Advanced System Settings

On the resulting utility click the 'Environment Variables' button at the bottom

You should then be able to edit the System Variables settings.

[Nocton]

Thank you for replies, but I have had no success in fixing the problem.
I could not manage to follow your instructions, DiGro, because my computer shows somewhat differently from what you describe. However, as previously mentioned, when I run 'java - version' under Windows Command and it responds with the correct version 1.8.0_471. And according to what I read on the web that means that the path is correct. I also completely un-installed JRE and OO , restarted the computer and re-installed them, but still the same. I have checked the paths and they are identical to my main computer. I even copied and pasted the folders from the PC to the laptop, but still the same message.
MrProgrammer, it all very well saying that the solution is already known, but my search has revealed nothing saying exactly how to solve this problem. There are many posts saying [Solved] but they don't seem to have the solution to my problem. It is rather an exaggeration to say that "this question is asked about once a week". Could you please point me to a post which does have a clear solution.
However, I think this post from cmanley23 might have the solution viewtopic.php?p=546494#p546494, but I do not understand "In the Edit Environment window click the New button and then paste in the file path from above to the "Java bin folder". I do not see any Java bin folder and I do not have an 'Edit Environment' window, just 'Edit' - is it something I have to create?

[RoryOF]

I think you will find the 32 bit java at
https://javadl.oracle.com/webapps/downl ... 0f73f9b8e6
Download, then install it.

I have forgotten how to find the path to that Java under Windows (nearly 20 years I haven't used Windows).

If someone else tells how to find the path to that installed 32 bit Java, you then enter it in OpenOffice /Tools /Options /OpenOffice /Java.

[DiGro]

Your Javapath should be at : C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre1.8.0_47\bin

Check Tools > Options > Java on the bottom of the screen you should see your Javapath

Javapath.png (6.1 KiB) Viewed 9452 times

[Nocton]

Settings as mentioned by RoryOF & DiGro are as I have and as mentioned, I have changed nothing since before Christmas when I last used the laptop and database. A web search came up with https://geekchamp.com/how-to-install-ja ... windows-11
which describes how to set the environment variables similar to cmanley23's post above, but all to no avail.
The only change since OO and Java worked Ok has been Windows Updates. So unless anyone has any solutions that work, I am going to uninstall them one by one. If that does not solve the problem, a computer technician has suggested a clean install of Windows and then re-install OO and JRE.

[RoryOF]

You must have a 32 bit Java to work with OpenOffice; a 64 bit OpenOffice is under consideration, but will not be immediate.

Have you done a hard restart of Windows since installing the Java you used?

[Nocton]

"Have you done a hard restart of Windows since installing the Java you used?"
Yes.
I have also uninstalled the two Windows updates that have occurred in the period between working OK and not OK. One would not uninstall, giving an error message. I have tried the suggested fixes for the error, but they did not work. As a last resort I am now doing a full malware scan with Windows Security/Defender and will follow with an off-line scan. If they do not find a error/fix the problem then a computer technician has said that a clean install of Windows is required. Annoying and I'll need to do some backing up first, but I have spent several hours on this problem and it would have been quicker to just reinstall OO and Java (and Dropbox and Thunderbird).

[floris v]

If nothing works, you can give LibreOffice a try.

[Nocton]

No, the database basic code has one or two problems with LO, particularly reports which use the Oracle Report Writer. I don't want to spend time sorting them out, especially as it would require changing the set-up on other users' computers. And when you've got a program that has been working OK (with updates) for 15 years one does not want to start messing around with it.

[Nocton]

Tried out various 'solutions' suggested on this and another tech forum. None worked and a lot of time wasted. Decided that as a Windows update was the only thing that had changed since Java worked OK, I opted to uninstall the update. When the uninstall did not work as reported earlier, that more or less confirmed to me that Windows was the problem. I started off with a possible repair from a USB, but found that Windows inbuilt Recovery option worked OK and did the job. I was pleasantly surprised to find that after the recovery my local/user and Microsoft/Admin accounts were still there plus my document folders. So just had to re-install my programs including OO and JRE.