Sun Java for "Older" Operating Systems

[Spiritsongs]

   Hi all :

      Have discovered that Sun Java has released a "new" version for those
      with Win XP SP1 and earlier Operating Systems called "Update 12" ; as
      far as I know, it is ONLY available at
      http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/index_jdk5.jsp

      I recommend complete uninstallation of the "old" ( "Update 11" ) version
      FIRST, then downloading & installation of the "newer" Version .

[FreewheelinFrank]

The only reason to use version five is if you have software which is designed for that version. Version six will work perfectly well on SP1, according to the Sun website:

Platform(s):
Windows 2000 (SP4+), Windows XP (SP1 SP2), Windows 2003, Vista

http://www.java.com/en/download/help/6000010400.xml

[Lisandro]

Anyway, thanks for the info Spiritsongs.
Maybe you could have post it here: http://forum.avast.com/index.php?action=display;topic=9671.0

[Spiritsongs]

   Hi Frank ( & Others ) :

           It appears Sun's inclusion of XP SP1 in their "Acceptable" OS's for the
      JRE 6.0 Series has been done within the last couple of months; it was
      NOT what was recommended by them in March/April of this year .
      And the link you quoted is for OFFLINE Installation ONLY; I do not know
      if those with XP SP1 can do a successful ONLINE Installation of the
      6.0 Series !?

      For ONLINE Installation, it is "safer" to use the link in my Original Post .