Kronos Version 5 Upgrade

Frequently Asked Questions for Desktop Requirements

  1. Where can I download and install Java 1.4.2_06?
  2. What browser do I need to use Kronos?
  3. What if I have a higher version of Java?
  4. I keep getting asked if I want to update my Java version. How do I stop these notifications?
  5. I have an application that requires a different (lower) version of Java. How will I successfully use that version if I have Java 1.4.2_06 installed?
  6. I use a Mac with OS 10.4. Am I going to have trouble using Kronos 5?
  7. I am a Kronos Administrator. Do I need anything more installed on my computer to use Kronos?
  8. Adobe Professional does not work with Kronos. Is this true?
  9. I use Linux. Will Kronos work with Linux?
  10. I'm a TLA so will be using Adobe Acrobat Reader to open the reports. How do I configure my computer to always choose Reader instead of Adobe Professional or any other program?
  11. How do I tell what version(s) of Java I have on my Windows computer?
  12. How do I tell what version(s) of Java I have on my Mac computer?
  13. I used the browser test (see link in menu at left) and it shows that my cookies are disabled. I configured my browser to enable cookies but it still shows up as disabled on the test. What do I do?
  14. I can log in to Axess and click on my Employee Information tab but when I click on "Login to Kronos", I can't get it to accept my SUNet ID and password on the Web Login window. What should I do?

From where can I download and install Java 1.4.2_06?

You can download Java 1.4.2_06 from the Kronos Version 5 website. Go to: http://kronos5.stanford.edu and click on Desktop Requirements.

What browser do I need to use Kronos?

You can see a list of recommended browsers for use with Kronos for all Operating Systems at: http://www.stanford.edu/dept/itss/projects/kronos5/matrix.html

The Kronos site says I need Java 1.4.2_06. What if I have a higher version of Java?

The Kronos server has Java 1.4.2_06 on it. When you log in, the server looks for that version on your desktop. If it does not see it, it will download it. Your newer version will remain intact. You can still use your more recent version for other applications.

I keep getting asked if I want to update my Java version. How do I stop these notifications?

The setting is in the Java Plug In Control Panel.

For Windows 2000 users: from the Start Menu, go to Settings>Control Panels>Java Plug-In. Once the panel opens, click the Update tab. De-select the checkbox for "Check for Updates Automatically". Click Apply. Click OK.

For Windows XP users: go to: Control Panels>Java Plug-In. Click on the Update tab. De-select the checkbox for "Check for Updates Automatically". Click Apply. Click OK.

For Mac Users: The updates happen at the same time as the Software Updates. Mac OS 10.3.7 and higher are currently using Java 1.4.2_06.

I have an application that requires a different (lower) version of Java. How will I successfully use that version if I have Java 1.4.2_06 and/or higher installed?

If you have installed Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 1.4.2_06 and/or a higher version of Java in Internet Explorer 6.0, you will see an entry for it in the Internet Options under the Tools menu. It will most likely have a checkbox that is already checked. When it is checked, for most applications, Internet Explorer will only use that version of Java. If it is unchecked, Internet Explorer will use whatever version the application needs as long as it is installed.

Note: Test performed: Kronos needs 1.4.2_06, Kintana needs 1.3.1 on the same computer. We unchecked the checkbox. We restarted the browser. We logged into Kronos and Kintana simultaneously. They both worked.

Here are the instructions:

In Internet Explorer:

navigate to Tools -> Internet Options
select the Advanced tab
scroll down to the Java (Sun) section
uncheck the box for "Use Java 2 v1.4.2_06 for <applet> (requires restart)"
click OK
close Internet Explorer
Restart the browser (not the whole computer)

I use a Mac with OS 10.4. The matrix says that it works but it is not supported at this time. Am I going to have trouble using Kronos with Tiger?

Being that OS 10.4 is so new (released in April 2005), ITSS does not recommend it for Administrative Applications. Fortunately, it comes with Java 1.4.2 and tests have proved that it does work with Kronos and Safari.

I am a Kronos Administrator. Do I need anything more installed on my computer to use Kronos?

The Java download is all you need.

I understand that Adobe Professional does not work with Kronos. Is this true?

Yes, this is true. Adobe Professional freezes Kronos reports or causes them to flash. You should use the recommended Adobe Acrobat Reader available on the Essential Stanford Software web site (http://ess.stanford.edu).

I use Linux. Will Kronos work with Linux?

Unfortunately, although we thought Kronos would work with the Java download for Linux, we have discovered that it doesn't work. If you have access to a Windows or Mac computer, you can do your entries there. Otherwise, you can submit your hours or leave taken to your Leave Administrator and they can enter the data for you. If you are a Linux user and found that it does work, please submit a HelpSU ticket identifying any processes you did to get it to work.

I'm a TLA so will be using Adobe Acrobat Reader to open the reports. How do I configure my computer to always choose Reader instead of Adobe Professional or any other program?

On your Internet Explorer toolbar, select Tools>Folder Options. Click on the File Types tab and scroll down until you see PDF listed. Click on the Change button. Under the listing of Recommended Programs, select Adobe Reader 6.0. Click the OK button. Quit Internet Explorer and you will now have PDF files open using Adobe Reader by default.

How do I tell what version(s) of Java I have on my Windows computer?

Go to Start>Control Panels>Java. Click on the Java tab. Under Java Application Runtime Settings, click View. A list of the different Java versions installed on your computer will be displayed.

How do I tell what version(s) of Java I have on my Mac computer?

Go to your Hard Disk and select Applications>Utilities>Java to see a list.

I used the browser test (see link in menu at left) and it shows that my cookies are disabled. I configured my browser to enable cookies but it still shows up as disabled on the test. What do I do?

Nothing. It doesn't matter if your browser's cookies are enabled or disabled, you can still use Kronos.

I can log in to Axess and click on my Employee Information tab but when I click on "Login to Kronos", I can't get it to accept my SUNet ID and password on the Web Login window. What should I do?

It's possible that if you haven't changed your SUNet ID password for many years, you need to go to http://sunetid.stanford.edu and do so. After updating your password to conform to current password rules, go back to the Axess portal and try to log in to Kronos again. If you still cannot login, and you have reviewed all the FAQs for other possible reasons, submit a HelpSU ticket at http://helpsu.stanford.edu with the Category Type of Administrative Applications, and the Request Type of Kronos.