Java SE (Java Platform, Standard Edition)

Running W2K SP2. I have sucessfully installed jdk 1.4.x with jdk 1.3.x already installed. No problems. However, I foolishly installed another 1.3.x jdk with jdk 1.4.x already installed. Now the jdk 1.4.x console in the control panel will not start. No error message. Javaw.exe is running. Also running an applet asking for jre 1.3.x or later hangs IE. Must use task manager to kill IE.

After many hours of uninstalling and reinstalling, it seems installing 1.4.x over 1.3.x is OK. However installing a jdk 1.3.x with a jdk 1.4.x already installed is the kiss of death. I have tried everything including mucking around with the registry.

If I uninstall all JDKs and reinstall a 1.3.x JDK, the 1.3.x JDK works, but reinstalling a 1.4.x JDK at this point results in a nonoperative JRE as explained above.

I am down to scrathing the OS and reinstalling - not a very attractive alternative.

ANY HELP OR WILD IDEAS AT ALL GREATLY APPRECIATED.