Strange JAVA_HOME error

Question

I have this remarkable irritating error. When I run my Tomcat 5.0.27 webserver as a automatic service it complains that it can't compile the JSP because it can't find javac.exe and perhaps JAVA_HOME is not set correctly (something like com.sun.main not in the classpath)
1. Checked JAVA_HOME, is ok (tried with [JAVA_HOME=C:\j2sdk1.4.2_03\bin] and [JAVA_HOME=C:\j2sdk1.4.2_03] both without success as a service
2. Shutdown the service and then run the Tomcat webserver file startup.bat amazingly it runs compiles the JSP with no error
So when i run it as a automatic service it complains and when i don't it doesn't complain.
I don't want a window in my screen. I want it as a service.
surprised? No, my life is full with this sort of errors. That is why i refuse to link Apache webserver with Tomcat. Because it doesn't work each time. Sorry about this but i am just pissed.
What is wrong?

Answer 1

Copying the tools.jar might "fix" it, but I think the real problem is that the tools.jar is not in the java.class.path when the Tomcat service is installed. I'd prefer that the service installation script be fixed.