Setting Path variable in Win XP Pro

Question

Hello,
I have installed Java SDK 1.3.0_02 on Windows XP professional.
I have set my path to:
%SystemRoot%\system32; %SystemRoot%; %SystemRoot%\system32\WBEM;
%SystemRoot%; %SystemRoot%\system32\WBEM; C:\Program Files\Common
Files\Adaptec Shared\System; %Java_Home%\bin; %Java_Home%; %Tomcat_Home%;
where %JAVA_HOME% refers to C:\jdk1.3.0_02.
I get the following error upon trying to use 'javac' in the DOS command
prompt:
'javac' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable
program or batch file
According to the instructions at
<http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.3/install-windows.html#Environment> I have done
all I can. Also, according to this article I should not have to set a
classpath variable. Should I set a classpath variable?
Here are some conditions I cannot figure out:
1) When I use the 'java' command with any switches (such as -version) I get
a proper response.
2) When I type on the command line "set path=C:\jdk1.3.0_02" and then try
"javac" command it works. This happens only while the command window is
opened. If it is closed and reopened I will have to do it again. This should
not be required.
3) When I navigate to the "C:\jdk1.3.0_02\bin" directory and try using the
"javac" command it works fine.
4) Everytime I use the 'autoexec' command in the C: root directory I get an
old version of the path variable without my recent path settings.
What do I need to do to simply open a command prompt and compile Java code?
It seems to work fine on other installations. I want to be able to use
'javac' from any directory without referencing in the command line the
directory of 'javac'.
My main question is how do I set the path variable so it permanently stays in
Windows XP Pro? What is the simplist way to do this?
Should it be set in the environmental variables section under 'My Computer'? Should it be set in DOS? Should it be set in 'autoexec.syd' in the C: root directory (there is not autoexec.bat)? Someone mentioned to set the
Sincerley,
Chris

Answer 1

From the command prompt echo your classpath (echo %classpath%) and see what displays. If it's not the one from your environment variables, then something else is getting it's dirty hands in the way.
You may want to take a look through your autoexec.bat and remove any lines that set the path variable. Leave it to your windows environment settings to do it for you.