Using axbridge.dll without going through the JRE installation process

Question

I've searched the web and this forum for this specific problem, and have found related items, but nothing that quite answers the question.
I have an application that uses the JRE's axbridge.dll to access a DLL created from a Java bean. I used the packager to create a DLL named MyBean.dll.
When I go through the full JRE install, everything works great. That is to say, when I execute Sun's JRE installation program and go through the normal install process, I can access the bean through MyBean.dll without any problems.
I am accessing MyBean.dll from a Visual Basic 6.0 application. Converting to VB .Net is NOT an option at this time. The VB app uses MyBean.dll for a critical part of the application.
It is my understanding that it is not strictly necessary to go through the full JRE installation process. Simply deploying the JRE by copying its directory (and all subdirectories) to your application's directory structure should be sufficient. This would be HIGHLY desirable for my application. In fact, if I can't do this, it may be a show-stopper.
When I install my application in this way (i.e, by simply copying the JRE instead of "installing" it) it doesn't work at all. I immediately get an error saying that the executable "has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience" and a dialog is displayed offering to send the problem information to Microsoft.
The details indicate clearly that the problem occurs in the axbridge.dll, version 1.4.2.60.
1. Any ideas on how to get the axbridge.dll to work without going through the full JRE install?
2. Are there any alternatives to using the axbridge.dll to get my VB app to be able to use the Java? Remember, it is VB that must call the Java, NOT the other way around.
3. Is JNI an alternative? If so, can I use JNI to get VB to use Java, or do I have to write the DLL's in C++?
Any help you can give would be VERY MUCH appreciated.

Answer 1

I'm also on a JRE installation problem with the bridge.
Here is a regmon extract on excel using a dll that uses a java-packaged dll from the bridge:
5229 5.69504923 EXCEL.EXE:2364 QueryValue HKCR\CLSID\{9DD49FCD-BB61-414E-88C8-E6F5B35AEDCB}\InprocServer32\(Default) SUCCESS "C:\win32app\Specific\jre1.5.0_05\bin\axbridge.dll" << The axbridge dll in a specific location
5271 5.70646800 EXCEL.EXE:2364 QueryValue HKLM\SOFTWARE\JavaSoft\Java Plug-in\1.5.0_05\JavaHome SUCCESS "C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_05" << an installed JRE 1.5.0
This is confirmed with process explorer : excel is using "C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_05\lib\rt.jar" and not "C:\win32app\Specific\jre1.5.0_05\lib\rt.jar"
In other word, the axbridge check for its installation location in the registry to know where to start.
Even if all your components have been updated in the registry as suggested here : http://forum.java.sun.com/thread.jspa?forumID=40&threadID=559704
JRE Bug or feature?
Anyway the registry is evil.