Eclipse Helios not launching

Question

I have used Eclipse in the past without problems over a year ago, but I downloaded Helios onto a new computer having Windows Vista and Java 1.6.13 currently. I extract the folder and try to run the Eclipse EXE and get an error stating "Java was started but returned exit code=13".

I did some digging and it appears that the config file is requiring Java 1.5 to launch (dosgiRequiredJavaVersion=1.5). Removing this line does not matter.

I went and got an archived copy of 1.5.0_22 and tried to use -vm mypath/java/jre1.5.0_22/bin in the config file before vmargs and it still does not help.

I have also tried making a shortcut and specified the "eclipse -vm mypath" in the target field of properties and still nothing.

Here are my config settings which still give the error:

-startup
plugins/org.eclipse.equinox.launcher_1.1.0.v20100507.jar
--launcher.library
plugins/org.eclipse.equinox.launcher.win32.win32.x86_1.1.0.v20100503
-product
org.eclipse.epp.package.java.product
--launcher.defaultAction
openFile
--launcher.XXMaxPermSize
256M
-showsplash
org.eclipse.platform
--launcher.XXMaxPermSize
256m
--launcher.defaultAction
openFile
-vm
c:\program files\java\jre1.5.0_22\bin
-vmargs
-Dosgi.requiredJavaVersion=1.5
-Xms40m
-Xmx384m

Has anyone solved this problem?

Answer 1

This occurs when using an x86 Eclipse with a x64 JDK (and perhaps vice-versa). Just point to a JDK with the same architecture as your Eclipse in your eclipse.ini file, eg:

-vm
D:/Dev/Java/jdk1.6.0_25_x86/jre/bin/javaw.exe