Help:Known problems

From WikiPathways

Revision as of 21:21, 14 June 2015

On this page you'll find some known problems with WikiPathways.

If your problem is not on this list, please check our bug tracker or send an email to our Google group.

Java Warnings and Blocks

There is a battle going on between Java, operating systems and browsers, and we are caught in the middle. While we work on the long-term solution of replacing our Java Applet editor with a JavaScript editor, we have recommendations and fixes for your particular OS and Java combination. Let us know if you have another setup or if these don't work for you.

If you update your OS or Java version (often this is done automatically with minimal confirmation from you), then you'll need to revisit this table and perform the recommended setup steps.

1. Check your operating system version
   • Mac: Apple menu > About this Mac
   • Win: Start > Computer > Properties
   • GNU/Linux: Open a terminal and type: uname -a
2. Check your Java version (Note: versions 1.7.x = "Java 7" and versions 1.8.x = "Java 8")
   • Mac: Open Terminal.app and type: java -version
   • Win: Open Command and type: java -version
   • GNU/Linux: Open a terminal and type: java -version
3. Check the Java plugin version in your browser (particularly important if you have multiple Java versions installed)
   • All: type in the web location text field: about:plugins
4. Find recommendations and fixes for your setup in the table below

Ignorable Java Warnings

Even when your setup is configured properly, you may still see Java Security Warnings. They look scary, but they are harmless. These are simply due to the fact that we refuse to pay Apple to authorize our free and open source software. We are pursuing a free alternative through a non-profit collaboration. But, ultimately, if the warning says, "Location: http://wikipathways.org" then you can click through it and get to our Java Applet editor. Here's a super short video showing errors you can expect and safely ignore.

No Java installed

You need to have Java installed to be able to edit pathways. If you only see a grey box when you click the edit button below the pathway image, please check if you have Java installed (version JSE 5 or above). You can test if Java is working in your browser here and download Java here.

Javascript disabled

You need to have javascript enabled in your browser. Click here to see how to enable javascript for your browser.

Strange error while starting Java

Sometimes a dialog with "NullPointerException" or "InvocationTargetException" appears when you try to start the edit applet. In this case it may help to clear the Java Applet Cache. In Windows XP, you do this as follows:

1. Go to Start -> Control Panel
2. (In Classic View) click on the icon Labeled Java
3. In the Java Control Panel dialog, in the general tab, under the heading Temporary Internet Files click on Settings
4. Click Delete Files. This will only delete temporary files that are safe to delete.
5. Close the browser completely, then try WikiPathways again.

On a Mac:

1. Open /Applications/Utilities/Java Preferences
2. Click on Network tab
3. Click on Delete Files and click OK
4. Close the browser completely, then try WikiPathways again

Editor does not load and you just see a black window

In this case it might help to clear the Java Applet Cache. In Windows XP, you do this as follows:

1. Go to Start -> Control Panel
2. (In Classic View) click on the icon Labeled Java
3. In the Java Control Panel dialog, in the general tab, under the heading Temporary Internet Files click on Settings
4. Click Delete Files. This will only delete temporary files that are safe to delete.
5. Close the browser completely, then try WikiPathways again.

Wrong Java version on Ubuntu

Older Ubuntu linux distribution came with the gij (GNU libgcj) Java virtual machine, while newer versions come with the icedtea plugins. In order to make WikiPathways work correctly, you will need to replace this with Oracle's JVM. Details on how to install this can be found here.

Application blocked by Security Setting

In the latest Java update the security settings for self-signed applications have been adapted (Java 7 Update 51). Self-Signed applications, like Pathvisio, are blocked on high security level. For details see the Pathvisio FAQ

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