Welcome to the ISOC Science Data Archive browser FAQ. This page is a compilation of questions and answers to the most common problems that we have experienced when using the browser.
Clicking on a question will take you down the page to the answer. If you want to find the answer to another question, either scroll through the page manually, or use your browser's 'Back' button to return to the list.
If you require further information, please contact the ISOC Helpdesk who will be happy to deal with your enquiry.
Q1. Using Netscape 6 on Linux I can not press the "Start ISDA browser" button.
A1. This is a problem of Netscape 6.2.3 on Linux, there is a workaround:
When you go to the General User Access to ISDA page and you get the message about granting the session, instead of clicking on the Button that says "Grant this session" click
on the Button in the middle that says "Grant always". Exit Netscape and start it again, the warning window should not appear now and you should be able of starting the browser without problems.
Q2. Sometimes the ISDA gets frozen and is not possible to press any buttom or fill any text field in the Archive.
A2. This is a problem of the Java Virtual Machine, follow these instructions:
Close all open sessions (File menu, option 'Quit') in your browser.
Check if a process called 'java_vm' exists executing in a terminal: [ ps -auxww|grep java_vm ]
If this is the case, then kill it executing in a terminal: [ kill -9 process_id ]
Re-start your browser.
Q3. How can I check the version of the Java Virtual Machine that I am currently using?
A3. Sun provides useful tools to check the version of the Java Virtual Machine you are currently using
and the details of the operating system in which you are running the ISDA Archive.
If Java is not installed in your machine follow these instructions to get the latest stable version.
More detailed information and tools about Java versions/plug-ins can be found here.
Q4. How can I enable Java in my web browser?
A4. If your browser has disabled the property to run Java applications you will not be able tu use the ISDA Archive.
To enable this property follow these instructions.
More detailed information and tools about Java versions/plug-ins can be found here.
Q5. Where can I find help on how to use the ISDA browser.
A5. Have a look at the Guided tour of the ISDA, also once you are running the ISDA browser click on the labels (like Query Specification), that will give you context help.