I am a returning ground breaker who went MIA over a year ago. It took me awhile to resolve issues getting SK to work again. I thought I would share how I finally managed to get SK properly working on my old computer again in case anyone else might have the same problem.

The Problem
SK client opens and then immediately closes. Attempts to reopen SK from browsers give same results. Attempts to open SK client directly from windows after trying to open SK client from a browser or from windows results in an error message that multiple copies of the client are running...

Hardware and Platform
Old PC with AMD Athlon 1800 XP @ 1.5GHZ (gave my newer system to TheBadger so he can host and develop his MineCraft server)
1.5 GB RAM
Old ATI RADEON 9800 with 128 MB
Windows XP Pro SP3

The Head Banging
So I tried to log back in yesterday morning. I also saw Nick's new announcement as I was trying to log in. My thought was, "go go go, take advantage of the crystal bomb windfall!" It's been so long that I had to reinstall Java before I could download a new SK client. Still no cigar after downloading the latest Java patch. Still no cigar after going directly to the ATI link provided by GM Poseidon in his Technical Problems sticky to download the latest video driver. SK client would open then close immediately. I was about to give-up after a couple of hours of trying to trouble shoot when my friend TheBadger came to help.

The Solution
What TheBadger did was download the latest graphics drivers through Microsoft Windows Device Manager/Hardware Update Wizard. Apparently the drivers at ATI were not the latest for whatever issue Windows and Java was having with it because ATI was lax in supporting legacy cards. (A legacy is old tech that a manufacturer has ceased supporting in hopes that you buy their newer models.)

Conclusion
Don't assume graphics card manufacturers keep up drivers for older cards. Try obtaining the latest graphic driver fixes through Microsoft Windows Device Manager/Hardware Update Wizard. The Hardware Update Wizard is better than I am in locating the latest driver fixes for the newest version of Java.

Also note that legacy tech from video card manufacturers may eventually lose support from Java and Microsoft in the future which means upgrading to a new system may be the only solution.