JDK 1.3 release 3 (co130-20010212) comes with a buggy JFC implementation, as a result many things like Netbeans break and don't run well under it.
The new executables, however, solve some major bugs found in the previous release.
Here is what I recommend:
1) Install JDK 1.3 r3
2) Backup /java13/jre/bin, /java/jre/dll and /java13/bin
3) Uninstall JDK 1.3 r3
4) Install JDK 1.3 r2 (dated Oct-27-2000)
5) Overwrite /java13/jre/bin, /java/jre/dll and /java13/bin with the files
found in r3
Now you get the best of both worlds; fixed EXEs and non-buggy JFC implementation.
Good luck,
Gili
Source: OS2VOICE