java virtual machine installation

Java Virtual Machine is somehow suddenly missing on my windows 2000 SP2 system. When I get to a web site that needs to use java, I am prompted to download the java virtual machine. I d/l it and it attempts to install - I then get an error message stating that 'the virtual machine cannot be installed because it is a protected system component. This can only be installed through a hotfix or operating system service pack upgrade.' I have looked all over microsoft's site (especially the java download site) to view the most recent builds of the machine and find that I need to go to the most recent service pack. I download the entire serive pack 2 (110 megs), reinstall, and still nothing is fixed. I also d/l the java hotfix, attempt to install, and receive a message stating that the operating system level is newer than this hotfix and can only be installed with service pack 1.

I have a hard time believing that there is no way to put the java virtual machine back on my system until (if ever) service pack #3 comes out (this is supposed to be a security enhancement?) . I desperately need this back on my machine, does anyone have any suggestions?

 

not sure if this will work:

have you tried booting into safe mode
then installing java virtuall machine......

hope it helps

 

cannot log on to windows 2000 in safe-mode (does not exist like win 95 or 98)

anyone else have a good idea?

 

See this article on booting in safe mode

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q202485