FULL PRODUCT VERSION :
java version "1.6.0_10-rc"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.6.0_10-rc-b27)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 11.0-b14, mixed mode, sharing)

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

EXTRA RELEVANT SYSTEM CONFIGURATION :
I have set my Java network preferences to use a direct connection, however, my ISP uses a transparent proxy.

A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM :
Occasionally, Webstart fails to launch the application. Sometimes, it will fail 1 in 10 times, sometimes more frequently (1 in 2). I could not detect any pattern. When it fails, the application's splash screen will appear (this is the one configured in the jnlp file) but but nothing else. The Windows task manager does, however, show a javaw.exe process that corresponds to the launched application.

This intermittent failure to launch is not prevalent in Java 1.6.0_07 or earlier.
This problem is serious enough than I must tell my clients not to upgrade to 6u10 unless this bug is fixed.

STEPS TO FOLLOW TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM :
Try any webstart app such as the jgoodies demos or the jide demo. I installed the desktop shortcut and then tried launching the app repeatedly. You should try at least 20 times in succession. i.e launch, then if successful, close the app and repeat.

EXPECTED VERSUS ACTUAL BEHAVIOR :
EXPECTED -
The app should be launched successfully each time.
ACTUAL -
When successful, the app launches. When not successful, splash screen appears, then nothing. A javaw.exe process is visible in the task manager.

ERROR MESSAGES/STACK TRACES THAT OCCUR :
There were no error messages in any log file when I enabled logging in the Java preferences.

REPRODUCIBILITY :
This bug can be reproduced occasionally.

Release Regression From : 6u7
The above release value was the last known release where this
bug was not reproducible. Since then there has been a regression.