But what then is this Java Virtual Machine that I have? It came with Service Pack 1 for XP. I downloaded and installed that pack and it enabled me to play, for example, a little program I had called Psychedeliscope (a rapidly changing kaleidoscope of shapes and colors).

Do you think this Java Virtual Machine will play that file that is giving me the ActiveX Object icon (the green circle, blue triangle, red square). (I was at www.spinmaster.com and I had clicked on the link 'CatchABubble Demonstration') Or is my Java Virtuall Machine quite different from MS Virtuall Java?

John