Could not start java - I dont know what ishappening

Question

I tried reading the early post regarding this problem and also tried some of the solutions provided but still does not start. I am using windows XP.
1. I tried going to the regedit and changed the version to 1.5 still it does not start.
2. Even my path is : C:\jdk1.5.0\bin;[WORKSHOP].
$ javac
Error opening registry key 'Software\JavaSoft\Java Runtime Environment\1.5'
Error: could not find java.dll
Error: could not find Java 2 Runtime Environment.
The only change from the last time that I used java is I restarted the machine that is the only change that I did. So could somebody help me with this please.
I also updated my JRE from java update now still nothing is changing. I would definetly appreicate some hlep in this respect please.
PK

Answer 1

First, a question: You are showing a prompt of a dollar sign, which is not the default Windows prompt. Please explain - are you using a shell program of some sort, or ?
Try this:
Verify that your Test.java source file exists and is correctly named, with the extension of "java". Change the current directory to that directory. Compile using the full path to the javac.exe file - it appears that the command should be:
C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_01\bin\javac Test.javaIf that compiles, then run the program like this, from the same directory - include the period after classpath and the surrounding spaces:
C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_01\bin\java -classpath . TestIf these commands work, either the command shell or the Windows path environment variable have a problem.
The path variable in your original post and reply #2 are both wrong. The only Java entry that belongs in the path variable is the path to the javac.exe file, which appears to be the default:
C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.5.0_01\bin
Also, clean up your classpath, none of the bold entries should be there:
.;C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.5.0_01\bin;C:\javamyprograms\Privacy-PolicyStudy;C:\javamyprograms;C:\jdk1.5.0\bin;C:\jdk1.5.0\Myprograms;C:\aima;C:\Downloads\junit3.8.1\junit 3.8.1\junit.jar