diff --git a/src/java/org/apache/lucene/store/FSDirectory.java b/src/java/org/apache/lucene/store/FSDirectory.java
index 6587e4f6019..944444de1e4 100644
--- a/src/java/org/apache/lucene/store/FSDirectory.java
+++ b/src/java/org/apache/lucene/store/FSDirectory.java
@@ -60,9 +60,7 @@ import java.io.RandomAccessFile;
 import java.io.FileNotFoundException;
 import java.util.Hashtable;
 
-import org.apache.lucene.store.Directory;
-import org.apache.lucene.store.InputStream;
-import org.apache.lucene.store.OutputStream;
+import org.apache.lucene.util.Constants;
 
 /**
   Straightforward implementation of Directory as a directory of files.
@@ -213,9 +211,11 @@ final public class FSDirectory extends Directory {
     final File lockFile = new File(directory, name);
     return new Lock() {
 	public boolean obtain() throws IOException {
-	  return lockFile.createNewFile();
+          if (Constants.JAVA_1_1) return true;    // locks disabled in jdk 1.1
+          return lockFile.createNewFile();
 	}
 	public void release() {
+          if (Constants.JAVA_1_1) return;         // locks disabled in jdk 1.1
 	  lockFile.delete();
 	}
 	public String toString() {
diff --git a/src/java/org/apache/lucene/util/Constants.java b/src/java/org/apache/lucene/util/Constants.java
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..cc9df4a41ff
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/java/org/apache/lucene/util/Constants.java
@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
+package org.apache.lucene.util;
+
+/* ====================================================================
+ * The Apache Software License, Version 1.1
+ *
+ * Copyright (c) 2001 The Apache Software Foundation.  All rights
+ * reserved.
+ *
+ * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+ * modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions
+ * are met:
+ *
+ * 1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
+ *    notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+ *
+ * 2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
+ *    notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in
+ *    the documentation and/or other materials provided with the
+ *    distribution.
+ *
+ * 3. The end-user documentation included with the redistribution,
+ *    if any, must include the following acknowledgment:
+ *       "This product includes software developed by the
+ *        Apache Software Foundation (http://www.apache.org/)."
+ *    Alternately, this acknowledgment may appear in the software itself,
+ *    if and wherever such third-party acknowledgments normally appear.
+ *
+ * 4. The names "Apache" and "Apache Software Foundation" and
+ *    "Apache Lucene" must not be used to endorse or promote products
+ *    derived from this software without prior written permission. For
+ *    written permission, please contact apache@apache.org.
+ *
+ * 5. Products derived from this software may not be called "Apache",
+ *    "Apache Lucene", nor may "Apache" appear in their name, without
+ *    prior written permission of the Apache Software Foundation.
+ *
+ * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED ``AS IS'' AND ANY EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED
+ * WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES
+ * OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE
+ * DISCLAIMED.  IN NO EVENT SHALL THE APACHE SOFTWARE FOUNDATION OR
+ * ITS CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,
+ * SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT
+ * LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF
+ * USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND
+ * ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY,
+ * OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT
+ * OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF
+ * SUCH DAMAGE.
+ * ====================================================================
+ *
+ * This software consists of voluntary contributions made by many
+ * individuals on behalf of the Apache Software Foundation.  For more
+ * information on the Apache Software Foundation, please see
+ * <http://www.apache.org/>.
+ */
+
+/**
+ * Some useful constants.
+ *
+ * @author  Doug Cutting
+ * @version $Id$
+ **/
+
+public final class Constants {
+  private Constants() {}			  // can't construct
+
+  /** The value of <tt>System.getProperty("java.version")<tt>. **/
+  public static final String JAVA_VERSION = System.getProperty("java.version");
+  /** True iff this is Java version 1.1. */
+  public static final boolean JAVA_1_1 = JAVA_VERSION.startsWith("1.1.");
+  /** True iff this is Java version 1.2. */
+  public static final boolean JAVA_1_2 = JAVA_VERSION.startsWith("1.2.");
+  /** True iff this is Java version 1.3. */
+  public static final boolean JAVA_1_3 = JAVA_VERSION.startsWith("1.3.");
+ 
+  /** The value of <tt>System.getProperty("os.name")<tt>. **/
+  public static final String OS_NAME = System.getProperty("os.name");
+  /** True iff running on Windows. */
+  public static final boolean LINUX = OS_NAME.startsWith("Linux");
+  /** True iff running on Windows. */
+  public static final boolean WINDOWS = OS_NAME.startsWith("Windows");
+  /** True iff running on SunOS. */
+  public static final boolean SUN_OS = OS_NAME.startsWith("SunOS");
+}