New to Java

My browser(s) [IE 7 and Mozilla Firefox] used to run java applets fine until made an installation of the latest JDK and JRE. Now, whenever an applet is present in any web page on the internet, I get a red X with a grey background in its place.

Strangely enough, I am able to view the test applet provided by Sun at http://www.java.com/en/download/help/testvm.xml

The following Java components are installed in my system :

J2SE Development Kit 5.0 Update 6
J2SE Runtime Envrionment 5.0 Update 6
Java Web Start



I tinkered around with the Envrionment Variables (Under Control Panel > System > Advanced) after making the aformentioned installations. Could this be a reason why the applets are failing to load? I followed the installation instructions to set the PATH variable though.

Also, I don't have a Java Web Start icon on my desktop or in the system tray. Does this mean that it hasn't installed or initialized? And could this be yet another reason as to why the applets aren't loading?

My Java folder is C:\Program Files\Java on my computer

Could someone please tell me how to get the applets loading again? Is there anything which needs to be installed in addition? I am prepared to start on a clean state and reinstall everything if necessary...


Thanks a bunch.