java problems

Can anybody help pls. I cannot run programmes on my computer if it involves using Java(not a laptop btw).
For example I can now use Oanda charts, by their new direct software, but not on the old system of using Java instead.
I can remember having this problem before and because it was so long ago, have forgottenm how I fixed it (probably more by luck than anything else!!!)
I have tried all the suggestions I have come across like re-installing Java, but none of them work.
At the moment I am going to try and use City Index, but all I get is the outline of trading platform, with red crosses where the data should be, and that is the same basically wherever I try to use a trading station using Java.
Would be grateful for any suggestions . Thanks in advance
K

What OS?
What version of java?

Have you gone thru and looked for jav*.* and got rid of any extra copies of java.exe javaw.exe etc that were lying around?
Did you exit windows after the uninstall?
Did you try to run a java program after the uninstall but before reinstall to check that your system was "relatively" clean?

Is the plugin enabled (on ie, go to tools, manage add ons, and look for sun java console)?

It sounds like it's the plugin that's not working.

You could try a different browser (firefox/safari).