Java 10.6 Update 16 issue on OsX 10.6

Hello all,

Hereby I would like to kindly ask for solutions on a specific issue. I'm on a Mac, OSX10.6.8, using Matlab R1012a.

Today I have installed the latest update of Java (Java 10.6 update 16 which is Java SE 6 1.6.0_51) and now Matlab doesn't work anymore. Not any menu is clickable, the only thing I can do is Quit.

This issue might be related to the Bug Report "Parallel Computing Toolbox code fails with Java Virtual Machine update 1.6.0_39" which did the trick at that moment.

How can I proceed?

Kind regards,

ing. Stijn Michielse Maastricht University The Netherlands

[Andreas Goser]

You mean applying the steps in this bug report lead to a working MATLAB? http://www.mathworks.com/support/bugreports/919688

Answer 1

[Sean de Wolski]

This issue is due to a bug in the Java security updates that Apple released for Mac OS X (as mentioned above). These updates install Java 1.6.0_51 and the exact build number looks like this (ending with M4508):

Java™ SE Runtime Environment (build 1.6.0_51-b11-456-10M4508) You can check if you have installed the xM4508 versions by running any one of the following commands on the Terminal of your Mac OS X:

java -version

OR

/usr/libexec/java_home -v 1.6 -exec java -version

If you have previously installed the xM4508 versions of the Java updates you can upgrade to the fixed xM4509 version by manually installing the following update:

• Mac OS 10.7.x and 10.8.x:================

http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1572

• Mac OS 10.6.x:================

http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1573

Confirm that you have the updated Java version by executing any of the above two commands. The exact build number looks like this (ending with M4509):

Java™ SE Runtime Environment (build 1.6.0_51-b11-457-10M4509)

If you had not originally installed http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1572 or http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1573 updates already (ending with M4508), you should receive this fix (ending with M4509) automatically through Software Update / App Store.

[Arthur]

Hi,

I installed the update but it's still not working. I'm on Mac OSX 10.6.8.

Answer 2

[Jens]

You are not alone. I have got the same problem but no solution up to now.

[Andreas Goser]

User Jens filed a Technical Support request earlier today. I will assign a support engineer to that now and make sure updates are posted to this thread.

Answer 3

[Andreas Goser]

I encourage you to try the R2013b PreRelease. To my best knowledge, countermeasures to the negative impact of Java updates in past releases have been applied.

[Stijn]

Thanks for suggesting using R2013b, but this won't work since I run OSX10.6.8 which is not compatible. Upgrading the operating system is not an option, since certain "older" applications are needed.

The reference to bug report 919688 is correct and I did apply the fix at that moment. As far as I can see, this fix is related to the Parallel Computing Toolbox and not to MatLab functioning in general.

At this moment the symptoms are more extreme; not any menu is clickable, the only thing I can do is Quit.

Good to know that I'm not alone in this matter.

[Stewart]

Mathworks chooses not to support 10.6.8 (which is beyond me as windows XP is still supported indefinitely) for any future updates, though according to the roadmap ( http://www.mathworks.com/support/sysreq/roadmap.html ) a 2 year support model is in effect. (Unclear what that means.) For 10.6 users, R2012b is the last version mathworks will allow to be installed.

Answer 4

[Pierre S.]

I also have this problem. The Matlab window seems to be frozen. But actually, any action that you make (e.g. typing in the command window) is taken into account once I resize the window (I notice that by chance...).

If you have any solution, I am interested to know it!

Answer 5

[Benjamin]

For what it's worth, I'm in the same boat. However, I'm using 2010a. So whatever the Java update broke, it's not restricted to version 2012a.

Ben

Answer 6

[Jules]

I downgraded Java to get things working again, as described in this post: http://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/79489-java-1-6-0_51-breaks-matlab-2012b-and-below

Answer 7

[Steve]

I also have the same problem in both Matlab 2009b and 2012b after installing the Java update for OS X 10.6.

I noticed that Matlab responds if you open the Help window on the menu bar.

Answer 8

[Mark]

I found a workaround: Close all programs

    Go to Applications / Utilities / Java Preferences

    The Java Prefs app will open

    In the 'General' Tab, change the order of Java SE, so that the two with the older versions are on top.  The versions are in the RH column on my system.  For example, my toplisted version was 1.6.0_51..., which is the latest version updated yesterday.  There were also two entries for 1.6.0_24...  Drag these so they are on top (64-bit first)

   Close the app

   Start MATLAB.  Now I can type and everything is good.

Answer 9

[Lori]

I am having the same issues since my latest software update. I've tried both 2012a and 2012b, with no luck. The workaround posted by Mark didn't work for me since it looks like the older versions of Java were removed in the install.

(Mac OS X 10.6.8 and Java SE 6 1.6.0_51-b11-456)

[Mario]

Hi @Lori, try this http://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/79489#answer_89503, it works for me.

Regards.

[Lori]

Thanks! I ended up just restoring the /System/Library/Java directory from Time Machine from a few days before the last update, and that seems to have fixed the issue.

Answer 10

[Stijn]

The best workaround is this:

    "Just replacing the copy of the JDK6 in the /System/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines solved the problem for me.

If Apple or TMW could provide a copy of that it could prove a quick fix for some users - there may be copies on the web as suggested by other posters but one of reliable provenance would be better.

MATLABers might also check in /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines - they may have a copy there."

As stated by Malcolm Lidierth in http://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/79489#answer_89503

The window resizing or accessing the help did not unfreeze MatLab. Note again that this happens in OSX10.6, but also seems to happen in OSX10.7 and 10.8.

In conclusion: no real solution or patch for this problem. Best downgrade Java until Apple or MathWorks provides a solution.

[Toby Fernsler]

Get old versions of Java for Mac on Apple's Developer site: https://developer.apple.com/download/more/