Java not loading with Safari after updates

Question

Recently, following security updates, Java applets that have
previously functioned fine do not any more. This is true for
Safari 2.0.3 (and in fact for Firefox 1.5); however, the applets
do load and function with Opera 5.
Looking at the Installed Plug-Ins list in Safari shows
Java 1.3.1 Plug-in (CFM) — from file “Java Applet Plugin Enabler”.
Java Switchable Plug-in (Cocoa) — from file “JavaPluginCocoa.bundle”
Java 1.3.1 Plug-in — from file “Java Applet.plugin”
What is odd to me is that I have done the Software updates for
Java 1.4.2 and for Java 5.0. In addition in
/Applications/Utilities/Java/
we find, amongst other things,
/Applications/Utilities/Java/J2SE 5.0/Java Cache Viewer.app:
/Applications/Utilities/Java/J2SE 5.0/Java Preferences.app:
/Applications/Utilities/Java/Java 1.3.1 Plugin Settings.app
/Applications/Utilities/Java/Java 1.4.2 Plugin Settings.applist
I have run all three settings applications; set them I hope
correctly; and had no satisfaction. None of the three caches shows
any content now.
I have recently removed ~/Library/Caches/Java* anyway.
I have deleted and reinstalled Safari from the distribution disc.
I have updated it (and whatever else gets treated at that time) with
the 10.4.6 Combo Updater. I've installed the Java updates 1.4.2 and
1.5 (i.e. J2SE 5.0) separately too. Actually I've carried out such steps
as mentioned more than once.
All the above to no avail. Java applets just don't load any more. Equally
annoying is that I have no mental picture of what ought to be
happening, nor any clue as to where to acquire one.
Please, could anyone help with the practical aspect of getting the
applets going again?
As well, I would much appreciate being pointed to any good
explanations of what ought to be going on.
iMac 4,1; Mac OS X (10.4.6)  
Safari 2.0.3; Java 1.3.1; Java 1.4.2; J2SE 5.0

Answer 1

Indeed I did the installations in a good order, and the applets were in
no way incompatible with the latest Java. However, as a result
of the update, or in some way or other that I am unaware of (including
the possibility that I did it myself, but had forgotten it) I was running
Safari 2.0.3 under Rosetta. Apparently this is 'well known' to stop the Java
applet service. I did not know this, and I found the possibility by
serendipity from a search on the discussion forums for 'Safari and
Java applet'.
The message that was key for me was
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=1967571&#1967571
where it was remarked
"The problem was that I was running Safari under - Rosetta. Turning off Rosetta made the problem go away."
So ignorant was I of what this meant that I floundered about a bit,
getting all the advertising hype about how wonderful Rosetta would
be or was, before I got the tip from my own machine's Help that I could
turn it off by unchecking a box in the GetInfo dialogue box for a program.
Indeed I found that 'Open using Rosetta' was checked for Safari. Removing
the Rosetta requirements means Java applets run again for me.
I don't see the Java plugins 1.4.2 and 1.5 in the
'Safari>Help>Installed Plug-Ins'
window where the 1.3.1 version appeared before. But I do have
a Java Console window and it mentions 1.4.2, which I selected as
preferred in complying with the last suggestion offered me.
I note with interest that the last thing I did before the penny finally
dropped was to get the latest version of WebKit and try that. Java
applets do not work there, and Rosetta requirements have never been
On!
I suppose I can now turn to getting Firefox working with Java applets.
It still does not: there is no special indication of this except that the
area where the applet output should be is left blank.
SO: If applets don't work, check early that you haven't selected
'Open using Rosetta' for the program Safari. It might be the easy
answer to the problem.