IBM Java for AIX HowTo: Uninstall IBM Java

A. ** Important Notice **

When uninstalling the *.jre filesets (e.g., JavaX.jre, or JavaX_64.jre) for Java7, Java71, Java8, or higher versions, the corresponding *.sdk filesets (e.g., JavaX.sdk and/or JavaX_64.sdk) must also be uninstalled as these are dependent filesets.


B. To begin the uninstall of IBM Java for AIX, from a command prompt, and while logged in as the root user, execute the command:

# smitty remove

{Follow these instructions to complete the uninstall using the SMIT utility}

1. On the panel "Remove Installed Software", scroll to the "SOFTWARE name" field, then press the F4 key (or ESC+4 keys) to view the list of installed software

2. Scroll down and select "JavaX.jre", "JavaX.sdk", "JavaX_64.jre", and/or "JavaX_64.sdk" filesets by pressing the F7 key (or ESC+7 keys). Once all the desired IBM Java filesets have been selected, press the ENTER key to return the previous panel

3. Scroll to the "PREVIEW only" field , then press the TAB key to change the value to "no"

4. Scroll to the "REMOVE dependent software?" field, then press the TAB key to change the vlaue to "yes" or "no" depending on whether or not the dependent software should be removed

5. In most cases, using the default values for the remainder of the items is adequate. However, do change the values that are appropriate for the situation.

6. Press the ENTER key twice to proceed with the uninstall of IBM Java for AIX

7. Once the uninstall process begins, monitor the "COMMAND STATUS" section (upper left corner of screen) for the progress of the uninstall

{Sample output for different stages of the uninstall process}

{While the process is running}
COMMAND STATUS

Command: Running stdout: yes stderr: no
.......

{Return message for a successful uninstall}
COMMAND STATUS

Command: OK stdout: yes stderr: no
.......

{Return message for an unsuccessful uninstall}
COMMAND STATUS

Command: Failed stdout: yes stderr: no
.......

8. Exit the smitty utility once the process has completed by pressing the F10 key (or ESC+0 keys)

9. Repeat Step 2.B.1 to Step 2.B.8 for other systems that have IBM Java for AIX installed.

A. Confirm the IBM Java for AIX has been successfully uninstalled

From a command prompt, and while logged in as the root user, execute the commands:

# lslpp -hac | grep -i javaX

No output should be displayed.

B. Install and configure a supported version of the IBM Java for AIX (e.g., Java 6, Java 7, Java7.1 or Java 8)

1. Use the "IBM Java for AIX Reference: Service Information and Download Guide" web page:

http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=isg3T1022644

to download and install a supported version of the IBM Java for AIX.

2. Using a command line text editor (such as "vi" or "emacs"), modify the "/etc/environment" file by replacing the references to uninstalled java with the directory for the supported version (e.g., java6, java7, java7.1 or java8) in the "PATH" environment variable. Save the file once the changes are complete.

{Example of an existing PATH variable before being updated}

PATH=/usr/bin:/etc:/usr/sbin:/usr/ucb:/usr/bin/X11:/sbin:/usr/java5/jre/bin:/usr/java5/bin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/vacpp/bin:/usr/vac/bin

{Example of the PATH variable after being updated, assuming that IBM Java 7 for AIX was installed)

PATH=/usr/bin:/etc:/usr/sbin:/usr/ucb:/usr/bin/X11:/sbin:/usr/java7/jre/bin:/usr/java7/bin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/vacpp/bin:/usr/vac/bin

3. For the changes to take effect, relogin as the required user id, then restart the processes from the new login session.

If the uninstall of IBM Java for AIX failed and the issue could not be resolved, it is recommended that the following data be collected and uploaded to a new IBM support call which has been routed to the "AIX Install" team or "AIX Java" team.

1. Collect and package the SMIT log files by executing the following commands from a command prompt using the user id used to run the SMIT in Step 2.B:

# mkdir -p /TMP_PATH/MM-DD/javaX_uninstall/data

# cd /TMP_PATH/MM-DD/javaX_uninstall/data

# cp ${HOME}/smit.* ./

# cd /TMP_PATH/MM-DD/javaX_uninstall

# tar -cf - data | gzip -c > PMR.MM-DD.tgz

2. Upload the packaged data using one of the IBM secure upload methods listed on the "IBM Java for AIX MustGather: How to upload diagnostic data and testcases to IBM" web page:

http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=isg3T1022619