Should I Remove Microsoft Java Virtual Machine?

[Me]

Hello,

Please note that I am cross posting this message because my question is
browser specific, but at the same time, I need to run IE in my development
environment under Windows 2000 Pro.

My system was recently hijacked by spyware/adware and goodness knows what
else. I have installed anti spyware/adware tools and run them as suggested
at http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=35407.

One recommendation included removing Microsoft Java. The first step is to
do the following: "rundll32 advpack.dll, LaunchINFSection java.inf,
Uninstall. When I ran step run I got a message saying that java.inf was not
available, if I remember correctly.
Please forgive me for not posting all of the steps that they listed, but I
am avoiding using IE until I resolve my problem. The remaining 4 steps are
printed in the above link.

My question is should I really remove MS Java VM and should I replace it
with the Sun Java? If so, can you please provide the best way in order to
do this?

For those familiar with the .NET environment, will this affect my
development
environment? In addition, if I replace IE with say, Opera, will my
development environment be adversely affected?

Lastly, if I go to Opera, and if I decide upon automatic Windows Updates are
the two mutually exclusive?

My system:

P3 1.1 MHz
Windows 2000, SP4
Visual Studio 2003 V 7.1.3.3088
MS .NET Framework 1.1 V1.1.4322
IE 6


Thanks,

Marquez

 

[Me]

I forgot to add that I am also using ActiveSync 3.7.1.

Marquez

 

[Tommy Carlier]

I forgot to add that I am also using ActiveSync 3.7.1.

Marquez

Installing and using Opera doesn't affect anything else. You can run
Opera and IE (and Firefox, and...) side-by-side. Only 1 browser can be
the default browser, but you can still run other browsers.
I'd say, go for Opera. I've been using it for about a year now. For
some sites (that don't support Opera), I use Firefox. The only thing I
use IE for, is Windows Update, and for testing my own website.