FULL PRODUCT VERSION :
java version "1.6.0-rc"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.6.0-rc-b93)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 1.6.0-rc-b93, mixed mode, sharing)

ADDITIONAL OS VERSION INFORMATION :
Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]

A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM :
Classes in JAR-Files which are specified in the cache_archive_ex-parameter of the applet tag can't be loaded.

The plugin does not load the JAR-Files.

STEPS TO FOLLOW TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM :
End-user description:

1) Surf to https://www.elsteronline.de/eportal/
2) Select "Software-Zert." on the right and klick on "Login"
3) You're being forwarded to a webpage which contains the login-applet

EXPECTED VERSUS ACTUAL BEHAVIOR :
EXPECTED -
Applet starts, the user interface is displayed (works with JRE 1.4.2, 1.5.0)
ACTUAL -
Applet can't be loaded/displayed: NoClassDefFoundError - a class within applethelper.jar (defined in cache_archive_ex) can't be loaded.

ERROR MESSAGES/STACK TRACES THAT OCCUR :
NoClassDefFoundError

REPRODUCIBILITY :
This bug can be reproduced always.