You may have to update java, go to java website to see if it's working.

I went to the Java website and the only option there is to download Java.
I'm thinking just open the terminal and try:

I checked in my add-ons in the Iceweasel browser; Java isn't in there-
Shockwave flash is in there.

I found:
Linux Download and Installation
There are two ways by which you can get Java for Linux

* RPM (Redhat Package Manager)
* Self Extracting Binary File

Linux RPM uses Redhat Package Manager to install Java. In order to use this method, RPM must be available on your computer. If it is not available, use the self extracting binary option.

The truth is I do not know how to "self extract binary file" option-
Have to learn how-

openjdk is in synaptic icedtea-plugin, it works for some but I always install Oracle java, but it has to manually be updated. If you try to install Oracle it will be easier to get it started if you install openjdk-jre firsr
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/ja...ads/index.html
https://sites.google.com/site/easylinuxtipsproject/java

I opened Synaptic and searched for jdk found it and installed it.
I closed Synaptic and re-booted; still all of my G-mail is in text and I don't have my background wallpaper.

Now install Oracle?

I have never had to install java to get gmail to work but i don't have a background wallpaper for mine so that may be a difference.

Squeeze has actual java and jdk packages available in it repositories. Wheezy and Sid have reverted to the openjdk packages though. I know for university I can use squeeze with some CMS (Content managment systems) that they use for online teaching but using Wheezy and Sid just wont work.

I myself prefer icedove for my gmail account maybe I should log into mine since I've never logged into gmail thru ff

Used Synaptic to 'mark' and 'install':

< sun-java6-jdk is installed >
<sun-java6-bin is installed >

Not sure what else to try-
Perhaps I should just be happy with what I do have and mark the thread solved.

It appears that my background is showing in gmail but to me the background is too much distraction for reading. Maybe OP is missing something.

Did you install icedtea-plugin?

Hi,

on my squeeze box the package is actually called "icedtea6-plugin".

Evo2.

You have 1 on me I never could openjdk-jre working, my goog;e chrome browser kept complaining. Everytime chrome complains I update

I think squeeze also has icedtea7-plugin available.

Hi,
Seems 7 is only available from wheezy onwards:
http://packages.debian.org/search?keywords=icedtea

Evo2.

Yeah I have the Oracle java 7

I did not know that Java is needed for Gmail to display correctly.