MATLAB only responds when window is resized

I have a bizarre problem. MATLAB will only update the screen when I resize the window. It appears to respond to what I type but I can't tell what I've typed or the response from MATLAB (it literally does not show on the screen) until I resize the MATLAB window. I'm using R2012b on Mac OSX 10.8. I've uninstalled and reinstalled several times already. Any help is appreciated.

[Walter Roberson]

Apple Java patch problem. If you re-run Software Update you should be offered a newer Java.

Answer 1

[Wesley]

Thanks for the tip Eli. Although I wasn't able to locate the folder you specified, your clue led me to remember that I had installed a Java update earlier in the day. And sure enough, that update was the problem. I found a solution at http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1572 and all is well now. Thanks!

Answer 2

[Eli Duenisch]

The MATLAB GUI is Java based. It might be case that the Java Runtime Environment which MATLAB uses doesn't work properly. In some version I had to exchange the whole JRE to get the GUI working. You can find the JRE MATLAB is using in MATLAB-INSTALLTION-DIR/sys/java/jre/.../jre (this refers to Linux installations, but it should be similar in Mac OS). Rename that folder and copy a different version of the JRE into it. You can get various versions of the JRE at the Java website. And of course you can always contact the support team at TMW in such a case.

[Eli Duenisch]

One remark: On Mac OS MATLAB uses the JRE of the OS, on Windows and Linux machines MATLAB brings it's own. This might change because Apple plans to discontinue the internal Java engine.