How do I get java to work on my computer?

i tried using a program that needs java to run and i have used all the time but yesterday it told me that i need java installed to use it and i tried downloading it and it said i already have it installed. so why is it telling me that and how can i fix it?

please anybody can u help me i really need to be able to use java and i cant fix it

Your system may be infected with a virus or other malware...

how can i find out and wat is something i can get to get rid of it

Download and run free Malware **tes, CCleaner and Glary Utilities... Tell us what you find

can u give me a link to get the ccleaner and glary utilities

Google can provide you with links... be sure to get Malwarebytes too

similar topic here: http://www.techspot.com/vb/topic131741.html

and there's a url reference to see
a) which one IS installed and
b) does it run applets in your browser

see how JAVA.COM views your install

i downloaded cccleaner, glary utilities, and malwarebytes and all found infected files and got rid of them but java still doesnt work

Did you check Jobeards link?

yes i did it didnt help

What Internet Browser do you use? IE8? Firefox?