Java SE (Java Platform, Standard Edition)

I have been trying for some time to get Java on my system. I'm not too knowledgeable when it comes down to this program, but I have had various friends help me however they couldn't find a solution to my problem.

Initially when trying to run programs such as some maps on websites or small windows based games, I would receive the error message

Java Plug-In 1.4.2_05 is not installed properly

I went to the Sun website and to the download centre where I was told to download the J2SE JRE application.

I then downloaded and ran the program. Once installed I tried a Java Web Start but the Error message I got was

Bad Installation. No JRE found in configuration file

I was then told I needed to remove the old version (1.4.2_04 I believe) from Add/Remove programs, did this,, but it didn't help - then I was told to remove 05 version the same way, did this, and then when reinstall 1.4.2_05 I got asked which browser I wanted to allocate it too (or something of that nature) thus I chose MIE, this I hadn't seen previously. It also took 3 time slonger to complete - However, after this installation, I got the above error message once more when trying to use JWS (I have each time tried a normal start but this has been fruitless)

I am now clueless on how to get this to work. Is anyone able to help. I can't see any files hiding about, the only oddity I have is in control panel I have something lying about called Java Plug In.

If I run it, it just says: The system cannot find the registry key specified, and some strange file name underneath. I can't imagine this is causing much of an issue.

Thanks