No Java virtual machine found starting Eclipse 3.6.1 on Windows 7 64bit machine

Question

I know some C# and I use Visual Studio 2008 but now I am trying to help my son with some basic Java programs. I have installed what I think is the proper version of Eclipse:

eclipse-SDK-3.6.1-win32-x86_64

I have a little "hello world" starter .java file I want to run and play with but I cannot even get started on this machine. I get this message immediately:

"A Java Runtime Environment (JRE) or Java Development Kit (JDK) must be available in order to run Eclipse. No Java virtual machine was found after searching the following locations: C:\Users\john\Documents\eclipse-SDK-3.6.1-win32-x86_64\eclipse\jre\bin\javaw.exe javaw.exe in your current PATH"

This is an AMD Quad-Core Processor and I'm running 64bit Windows 7 so I believe the Eclipse SDK is also properly 64bit. I have been having a heck of a time trying to locate the proper Java "virtual machine" / JRE / JDK or whatever and get it downloaded such that this problem goes away and I get Eclipse running.

I am a total rookie on Java and its terminology and environs and would really appreciate some basic advice on this. Thanks.

Answer 1

If you're running 64 bit Windows and Eclipse, make sure you install 64 bit java!

See this question: Failed to load the JNI shared Library (JDK)

Answer 2

For pure Eclipse you do not need a JDK, just a JRE, so the easiest way is to go to http://java.com and allow it to install Java on your computer.

Then Eclipse will work.

Answer 3

Just go through this steps, well explained in step by step :-)

Setting Up Eclipse with Java

Answer 4

Hop over to http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html and download the Java SDK. I think this will get you going unless I am misunderstanding something.

Answer 5

Download the JDK from here: http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html

The Eclipse SDK only contains the Eclipse IDE AFAIK :p