I have the java applet not initialized problem also and have solved it.
I think there is a conflict between jre java-plugin and IcedTea plugin. so I removed IcedTea and java applet is now working.
1. Download jre-6u1-linux-i586.bin 2. su-->pwd-->mv jre-6u1-linux-i586.bin to /usr/local 3. chmod a+x jre-6u1-linux-i586.bin 4. verify permissions: ls -l 5. ./jre-6u1-linux-i586.bin 6. Do you agree? Yes.-->Done 7. It's installed under: /usr/local/jre1.6.0_01 8. cd ../lib/firefox-1.5.0.10/plugins/ 9. ln -s /usr/local/jre1.6.0_01/plugin/i386/ns7/libjavaplugin_oji.so 10.Edit > Preferences. Under Advanced category > Select Enable Java
--delete ICedTea plugin (having conflict with Java Plugin)
I got this help from a forum but forget the source.
p/s: use about :plugins to check what plugin has been loaded in firefox
hope this help :-)