If the game doesn't load it will almost certainly be because you don't have
the java runtime environment or a java virtual machine installed on your system.
Depending on the browser (and version) you are are using you might see a grey
square, nothing, an error message (not very likely), or an icon
to click on for download instructions.
Firefox (an excellent browser) is one that does the last of these.
In this case your course of action is simple, click the icon and follow the instructions.
For the rest of you there are a number of options.
The definitive place for java is the Sun site. Here:- java.sun.com/j2se/1.5.0/download.jsp
You can find the download you need part way down the page.
Look for the section headed "JRE 5.0 Update 1" with the text
The J2SE Runtime Environment (JRE) allows end-users to run Java applications.
Here you will find links for extra information, installation instructions
and the download itself. NOTE: Avoid the JDK section which is for people wanting to
create java applications.
If you are a Windows user, though only Windows 98, ME & XP,
there may be a third option. Use the Windows Update and look for an install
for the "Microsoft Java Virtual Machine". Not the best long term solution as
Microsoft do not intend to support this beyond the end of 2007. See www.microsoft.com/mscorp/java
for further information.
Checking if Java is installed
Windows
Click 'Start' then 'Run'.
Type in command and press 'Return'.
In the 'MS-DOS Prompt' window that appears,
type in jview and press 'Return'.
If you get Bad command or file name
then you don't have java installed.
If you see something like this:-
Then you do have java installed.
Linux / Unix
Being a Windows user myself I sought help. This is the most useful reply I got:-
I usually type java rather than jview, but either should work on any OS.
In unix-like systems you don't have command or cmd for the command line, you have a terminal.
Anyone using a unix will know how to get to the command line anyway.
Thanks Paul!
Mac
Sorry, can't help you.
If you have Java installed
If you have java installed and the applet is not loading then here's a few more possiblities:-
You have an old version.
The cure for this is to get the latest version - see above.
There is something wrong with your current installation.
If your current installation is not the latest version, then one option
would simply be to install the latest - see above.
The problem may relate to the browser you're using.
If it's an old version, consider upgrading to the latest version.
There are many different browsers, so my advice is that you go to the
website for your browser and search it for help with running applets.
