New to Java

Hi, all.

I am brand new to Java, and have had zero training experience with it. I'm interested in learning, but am having problems with the initial set up steps that have been presented to me. After lots of trial and error which involved installing the latest Java from the website, uninstalling everything, and reinstalling once more, I have resolved all but one of my problems. I can now get Java to consistently be detected through the "Java test" page on the oracle site, and have been able to load and play a Java game via a web site; however, my last hurdle seems to be getting a Java Web Start program to run at all.

From the "Java Web Start Demos" page ( http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/demos-nojavascript-137100.html ), I have not been able to get any of the presented apps to run. Once clicked on, Firefox asks how I would like to handle the .jnlp file. I choose to open with "Java(TM) Web Start Launcher (default). Previously, there was an error involving the inability to fine a main Class file, but after hours of attempting to uninstall and reinstall everything, I no longer receive the error. Now, the dialogue simply disappears, and nothing appears to happen. Upon opening the task manager, I do see a process named "javaws.exe *32" which is running, and consuming 1,204K memory. If I end the process, nothing abnormal seems to happen. Any further attempt at opening one of the demos meets with the same results, with another "javaws.exe *32" process. In fact, if I do not close the first process, an additional, identically named process appears in the list.

Also, when I attempt to open the Web Start apps in Chrome, it simply asks where I would like to save the file, without the option to use a program to run it.

Any help would be appreciated in getting these things to run. Thanks a lot.

Win 7
Java version 6 update 21