Apps won't open?

[CodeTRUCKER]

I have two apps that have just stopped opening on my HP Laptop 3GB RAM Vista 32 Home Premium...

• Universal Village - an online collaborative office suite www.universalvillage.net
• Moneydance - C/P financial program like "Quicken," "MS Money," etc. www.moneydance.com

Both are Java-based apps, I believe.  When I try to execute the apps the "busy" mouse shows for a second and then... nothing. 
No other programs seem to have this issue.  What can cause this?

FYI - XoftSpy and Avast! show no malware.  Also, no problem opening Open Office.

<edits>

[Lashiec]

Problems with Java, maybe? Try to launch the programs from the commandline (if they're being executed from .JAR files), using "java -jar <filename>.jar", or reinstall the JRE.

[CodeTRUCKER]

Problems with Java, maybe? Try to launch the programs from the commandline (if they're being executed from .JAR files), using "java -jar <filename>.jar", or reinstall the JRE.

I've already installed the JRE, but will try the cmd line suggestion and get back.  A question in general is what is Windows actually doing when it is not opening an exec?

[CodeTRUCKER]

Looks like something was corrupted, but by what?

C:\Users\CJWVISTA>java -jar c:\progra~1\moneydance07\moneydance.jar
Exception in thread "main" java.lang.ExceptionInInitializerError
        at javax.swing.JPanel.updateUI(Unknown Source)
        at javax.swing.JPanel.<init>(Unknown Source)
        at javax.swing.JPanel.<init>(Unknown Source)
        at javax.swing.JPanel.<init>(Unknown Source)
        at javax.swing.JRootPane.createGlassPane(Unknown Source)
        at javax.swing.JRootPane.<init>(Unknown Source)
        at javax.swing.JFrame.createRootPane(Unknown Source)
        at javax.swing.JFrame.frameInit(Unknown Source)
        at javax.swing.JFrame.<init>(Unknown Source)
        at com.moneydance.apps.md.controller.Main.initializeApp(Main.java:278)
        at com.moneydance.apps.md.controller.Main.main(Main.java:189)
        at Moneydance.main(Moneydance.java:7)
Caused by: java.lang.IllegalArgumentException: -167772160 incompatible with Text
-specific LCD contrast key
        at java.awt.RenderingHints.put(Unknown Source)
        at sun.awt.windows.WDesktopProperties.getDesktopAAHints(Unknown Source)
        at sun.awt.windows.WToolkit.getDesktopAAHints(Unknown Source)
        at sun.awt.SunToolkit.getDesktopFontHints(Unknown Source)
        at sun.awt.windows.WDesktopProperties.setDesktopAAHints(Unknown Source)
        at sun.awt.windows.WToolkit.initializeDesktopProperties(Unknown Source)
        at java.awt.Toolkit.getDesktopProperty(Unknown Source)
        at javax.swing.UIManager.<clinit>(Unknown Source)
        ... 12 more

C:\Users\CJWVISTA>

[cmpm]

Uninstall all Javas from add/remove.

Check the file downloaded programs in c:/Windows/DownoadedPrograms
Remove all Java entries.

Reinstall Java.

http://filehippo.com/download_java_runtime/

See if that helps.

[PhilB66]

JavaRa anyone?

JavaRa is a small program that checks for updates of the Java JRE and removes old potentially vulnerable versions. Simply click "Check for Updates" or "Remove Older Versions" to start the process.

[attach]

[jgpaiva]

Interesting Phill! I'd never seen such thing.
Have you succesfuly solved any java-related problem with it? Does it really work?

[CodeTRUCKER]

Interesting Phill! I'd never seen such thing.
Have you succesfuly solved any java-related problem with it? Does it really work?

I can't answer for Phill, but since if I can't get my progs working, it's re-image time.  I'll let you know it turns out.

<Calvin takes deep breath, holds nose and jumps from the high-dive>

[cranioscopical]

Interesting Phill! I'd never seen such thing.
Have you succesfuly solved any java-related problem with it? Does it really work?

FWIW: I have; yes, it does -- or, more accurately, it did for me.

[CodeTRUCKER]

JavaRa anyone?

JavaRa is a small program that checks for updates of the Java JRE and removes old potentially vulnerable versions. Simply click "Check for Updates" or "Remove Older Versions" to start the process.

(see attachment in previous post)
JavaRa is an excellent tiny tool, free and open-source.
Read me
Forums
Download

Thanks, Phill  

[BigJim]

It has been working for me for several months on three machines. It seems to do the job as advertised and without problems. It also answered the question that I sent into the black hole of Java Support and never got a reply: Do I have to keep all those old/previous versions hanging around? Seems that you not only don't need them but it's a liability to have them hanging around ... and using up a not inconsiderable amount of disc space!

[PhilB66]

My reply would be redundant (tnx. cranioscopical & BigJim) but I would add that it works like a charm and it's portable.

[jgpaiva]

Whoa, 3 affirmative answers in so little time, i guess that really must work

BigJim: Up until this point, jre is fully backwards compatible, thus, keeping olders versions isn't necessary. It might be in the future, though, if they decide to change something in the virtual machine. (which i'm very doubtful they'll ever do, since they've been avoiding it at all costs)

[Grorgy]

I read somewhere, sorry i forget where, but the old JRE versions do pose a security risk even if not being used, I don't understand how or why this could be the case, but it prompts me to clean them up.

[CodeTRUCKER]

Phill and cmpm... no dice.  The JavaRa funcioned as expected, but my execs will still not open. 

[cmpm]

hmmm...
Vista....Isuggest-
Post the prob on this site.
There are more resources as in knowledgeable people.

http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/Windows-Vista-f79.html&s=0649cdb21f2506026f9bef312c6e1087

[PhilB66]

Maybe removing Universal Village & Money Dance and then reinstalling would fix this issue?

[CodeTRUCKER]

I am getting more odd behavior...

Tried to uninstall Moneydance and UVC.  Moneydance will NOT uninstall, even from Vista Add/Remove.  It exhibits the same behavior as executing the prog... the mouse goes busy for a second and nothing.  As far as UV, when attempting to remove the shorcut icon from the Desktop, Vista tells me that it doesn't exist.  Not that the program doesn't exist, but the shortcut doesn't exist, eventhough I am sitting here looking at it.  Weird.

cmpm - thanks for the link.

[CodeTRUCKER]

Thanks to all for the help.   

As additional issues kept presenting themselves it became apparent that the shortest route was to cut my losses and start over.  I have re-imaged my drive and am back in business.  I will be watching very closely as I duplicate the actions of the last couple of days.  If anything of note is discovered,  I will report back.

A very nice day to all!