Setting up Java on Vista 64bit

[Crevan]

I'm having a hard time making Java work under Vista Home Premium 64bit.

I've downloaded and installed the latest JDK for Windows x64 with JRE bundled. Nothing worked. I tried installing JRE first, then JDK on top - still nothing.

Could anyone explain to me how do I make it work?

[d032sh]

If you mean on a web browser then we're STILL waiting for an x64 Java plugin (although sun have just committed to including it in update 12 of Java 6). I just install a 32-bit JRE as well and run the 32-bit IE for webby Java stuff... though I've seen some third party options mentioned elsewhere.

[Crevan]

I actually meant JRE for running .jar files and JDK for programming in Java. The OS just doesn't detect the virtual machine, so I can't do anything java-related.

[d032sh]

Oh. Have you put the /lib and /bin directories into your Path?

[Crevan]

I always keep hearing people saying about setting up the environment variables and Path without them explaining how to actually do it Would you be so kind to explain?

[d032sh]

Well I don't have Vista here but it's pretty much the same IIRC. If you go to control panel -> system and select the Advanced tab then there's a button for Environmental Variables, you can change the Path variable in there. It should already exist so just edit it, new entries are delimited by a semicolon. You can check it's worked by running a command prompt and checking the Java command executes.

[Crevan]

Thanks, mate, I think I got it how it works now!

[bamastudent19]

Hey everyone, I actually have a 32 bit system, but I have been trolling forums for an hour with no avail to my unusual problem. I am just beginning to learn java having an average background in C++, and I am trying to set up JDK and the command prompt for compiling.

I accidentally deleted the info for the PATH variable (separate problem), but I at least added the path for the java bin folder -- C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.6.0_01\bin

When I type in the compiler command javac for a very simple file - HelloWorldApp.java - it seems to compile and does not print any errors to the screen. However, no .class file is created... I'm not really sure how to fix this. Also if anyone knows what the PATH variable should be like pre-stupid mistake.

1000 thanks

[Agent]

Does the compiler have the permission to write to where the .class file should be?
Easiest way to test - run the compiler as administrator (right click -> run as admin) and give that a try. This only really applies to Vista or a locked down XP install though.