missing 64 bit java plugin -workaround?

[tumpen]

Hello, I am new to the forum, not new to Linux. Recently I installed DEBIAN 6.0 amd64. Since then I have been unable to do netbanking (at least with linux) due to the missing 64bit java applet plugin, which does the authentication. I cannot get the 32bit plugin working with my browsers (epiphany, iceweasel).
Mozilla.org remmonds using a 32bit browser. I then installed FIREFOX (32bit), however, it refuses to run : "unable to locate libgtk-x11..." to make it short: the library actually exists on my system (I located it), something else must be wrong.
my questions:
is there a workaround (if yes, please give a step by step instruction)
or will I be better off reinstalling the 32bit version of DEBIAN ?
(or what about the possibility of a 64bit java applet plugin being released in near future- will this be wishful thinking or a realistic hope?)
thanks for any answer, as a matter of fact, I have used the java applet since REDHAT version 5 or 6, a lot of years ago, so this plugin-trouble really takes me by surprise - an unpleasant one, I admit
regards Gerd

[fanderal]

Welcome.

To run 32-bit apps on a 64-bit system, the 32-bit support libs need to be installed. The 'ia32-libs-gtk' pkg should get GTK and 32-bit apps working, including Firefox. For the java plugin, there's the 'ia32-sun-java6-bin' pkg for Sun's version or the 'openjdk-6-jre' for the 64-bit open source version.

FWIW, I use 64-bit Debian/Squeeze and can bank online with Iceweasel (unbranded Firefox) and just the ia32-libs-gtk pkg installed. Banks differ in their websites, just saying you may not need the java plugin for banking.

[tumpen]

Hi fanderal
thank you for your reply, that was all the info I could hope to get. In the country where I live we all need the java plugin to do banking, I am afraid. Now I have work to do, you outlined the process. Should I fail, I can choose to return to the forum with another dummy question, or, silently, reinstall 32-bit SQUEEZE. Time will tell.
best wishes
Gerd

[fanderal]

In the country where I live we all need the java plugin to do banking, I am afraid.

Didn't know that circumstance existed; appreciate the info.

There's a thread in the Tutorials and HowTo's section that may be helpful, its called "Should you choose 32-bit or 64-bit Linux?" Good luck.

[coopstah13]

i'm confused, did the 64-bit plugin not work for you?

I'm using 64-bit sun jdk, I have it /opt/java/jre/lib/amd64/libnpjp2.so