Alex Rivera | Logout

Eclipse Helios not launching

Asked 2010-09-23T17:45:41.243
13

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?

eclipse launch helios
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1 Answer

2

If this started happening when seemingly nothing has changed with respect to your eclipse and java installations, and there is a chance that this started happening after a system (Windows) crash or an unexpected eclipse shutdown, the problem may be due to a change in the compatibility mode of eclipse.exe. When the system or eclipse crashed, Windows may have decided to change the compatibility mode of eclipse.exe whether you liked it or not.

Unfortunately, this mode can not be changed through the "compatibility" tab on the file properties. The change has to be made by editing the registry. Look for the two keys:

  • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Compatibility Assistant\Persisted
  • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Layers

Look for any entries for eclipse.exe. I deleted one from each location and this solved the problem for me.

The compatibility information is tied to the file name and is persisted in the registry even if the file itself is deleted or moved. This is why changing the location of the eclipse directory will solve the problem. This also means that reinstalling eclipse in the same location will not fix the problem since the registry entry will still be there.

answered 2012-09-07T15:34:33.493

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