Error: can not find main class or can not find jvm.dll


This article applies to:
  • Platform(s): Windows 98 ,  Windows ME ,  Windows 2000 ,  Windows XP ,  Windows 2003
  • Browser(s): All Browsers
  • Java version(s): 1.5.0 ,  6.0

SYMPTOMS

An error message dialog box displays the following messages:

can not find main class or can not find jvm.dll

CAUSE

  1. Corrupt registry entries for Java (also known as Java Runtime Environment or JRE)
  2. Corrupt deployment.properties file for the JRE

SOLUTION

The JRE needs to be reinstalled in order to solve this problem.
  1. Uninstall the corrupt JRE by following instructions on this page: Windows Java Runtime Environment uninstallation instructions

    Note: If you failed to remove the JRE icon in the Windows Control Panel, then you need to remove the registry entries for the version(s) by following instructions from: After uninstalling Java software, how to remove its listing in Add/Remove Programs
  2. Reinstall the JRE by following instructions on this page: Windows Offline Download and Installation Instructions for Java

MORE TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Deployment Configuration File and Properties