HP JetDirect Applet doesn't work

[David McKenna]

I have an HP JetDirect J4101B print server that uses a Java applet (needs at least Java 5) for administration. I have installed all needed parts of the new Java6 and iced-tea plugin. When I try to navigate to the JetDirect IP the applet starts and begins to draw the screen, then hangs with 'starting applet' on the status bar. A POPUPLOG is produced and if other windows are opened, then closed on top of the browser, the image of the window 'sticks' to the browser window (see image). Sometimes the browser hangs too and must be killed.

[David McKenna]

POPUPLOG for 2 attempts to start java with plugin on JetDirect

[David McKenna]

Screen capture of hung browser window with JetDirect applet

[dmik]

Do other Java applets work? E.g. ​http://www.java.com/en/download/testjava.jsp or ​http://www.falstad.com/mathphysics.html?

Actually I have no idea on how to debug it... Can you enable access to your print server over the Internet so that I can try it here?

[David McKenna]

Hmmm... none of those links you mention work here... there is no error given, just nothing happens...maybe something is wrong with my Java installation, I'll scrutinize it some more.

I may be able to give you access to the print server. I'll look into that and let you know soon...

[David McKenna]

Well, it gets more complicated... if I go to the testjava page and wait long enough, the applet starts and shows the java info. Then I navigate to the mathphysics page and most applets work OK. Then I go back to the testjava page and there is an error message saying 'Something is wrong. Java is not working.' and it never works again anywhere until I restart the browser...

[dmik]

So can you try to wait longer in case of the JetDirect applet? It may take some time until the JVM is loaded by Firefox. And try to manage to give me access to it.

The problem of going back and forth is known. Created #177 for that.

[David McKenna]

Doesn't matter how long I wait for the HP DeskJet, it never works. You can try ​http://www.davemckenna.com:1980.

[David McKenna]

GA5_b27 and Odin 0.8.9 seem to work much better with this. I do not get any hangs or POPUPLOGs. The home page comes up, although it sometimes is missing buttons. When the buttons are there, I can navigate between the tabs. I do often see an error in 'Java.Lang.NullExceptionPointer' in the message area at bottom left of the SeaMonkey window.

[dmik]

Good to know.

Your other issues may be related to the Java plugin itself. The current released version (1.1.2) is quite old. We have updated it to 1.3 and it fixed some issues here. We will release it in a while.