eclipse installed but cannot start java returned exit-code = 1

Question

I recently installed eclipse-dsl-juno-SR1-win32-x86_64 and after extracting the files, as I started running Eclipse it gave me the following error :

Java was started but returned exit code=1 (required java version=1.5)

I checked the reason for this and also tried reinstalling as well as solutions suggested by other discussion forums, but to no avail.

I have installed

• Eclipse IDE for Java and DSL Developers : eclipse-dsl-juno-SR1-win32-x86_64 under the Eclipse Juno SR1 packages AND
• JDK 1.7.0_11 (x64)

I have linked my Environment Variables up correctly and tried to compile a Java file through cmd and have succeeded.

I tried running the following in cmd: -vm "mypath\jdk1.7.0_11\jre\bin" command as forums suggested

as well as other paths -vm "mypath\jdk1.7.0_11\bin" -vm "mypath\jdk1.7.0_11\jre\bin\javaw.exe" even -vm "mypath\jre6\bin" out of desperation to no avail.

Please help me out with this. I'm stuck :(

Answer 1

What worked for me was to set -vm to point to jvm.dll instead of java.exe or javaw.exe

-vm C:your_java\jre7\bin\client\jvm.dll

It seems a bug with Java 1.7. If you go back to Java 1.6 the problem seems to disappear as well.

Eclipse: Java was started but returned exit code -1073741571

Answer 2

Sorry - a bit too much for a comment - my suggestion:

First of all: I've just tried it with - well - almost the configuration you have (Win8-64bit), but with already a newer java and the SR2 release of Eclipse-DSL. No issues. But I don't think the previous release could be the issue here, but if nothing helps: try downloading the SR2-release.

I know it's all stated in your post, but really make sure you're starting your 64-Bit eclipse with a 64-bit java. Also you always have to provide one of the java.exe, javaw.exe or jvm.dll in the vm-argument, if you provide the vm-argument - not just the java directory.

Also try the following: start with

-vm "<yourjavainstallation>\bin\java.exe" -consoleLog -debug

mind: it is java.exe, not javaw.exe - a console (command window) will appear - maybe the messages will help?

If all fails - try to do it with a 32-bit java and 32-bit eclipse installation. You can use the newest java - JDK 1.6 is not needed. One last point: the required java version=1.5) suggests you have an ancient JDK on your system (if the error message is correct that is). If you still have a JDK 1.4 and older on your system - try to deinstall it, if you really do not need it any more (I wouldn't find a reason what for actually).

One last thing: There is a way to make sure eclipse uses a specified jre without the vm-argument. You can actually copy the needed jre to your eclipse-installation in a sub-folder called "jre" resulting in the following structure:

eclipse
    eclipse.exe
    jre
       bin
          java.exe
          ...
       lib
          ...

and start the eclipse without the vm-argument. I hope one of the points will help!