I tried to remove Java per your instructions, LotR, and reinstall it from the Leopard disk but to no avail. I then tried to reinstall Leopard via the Archive/Install but again to no avail. I finally broke down and tried the Erase/Install. That finally did the trick but now I have the long, agonizing ordeal of reinstalling my apps.

I'm not sure why I had such troubles but that was not the first time this Mac has had issues. A few months ago, Apple had some update and then all of a sudden several applications stopped launching. They would bounce in the dock a few times and then go away. I had to reinstall Tiger to get it to work again. That was easier though as I just installed Tiger over what was there and did not have to reinstall of my apps like I have to now. I wonder if it is because I have an Intel-based Mac. "The world may never know."