How do I verify that I have Java on my machine?

  1. Open up a DOS/command prompt: Go to Start -> Run, then type cmd and hit enter key. Your command prompt should be showing something like: c:\>

  2. Now run 'java    -version' ( c:>java -version ) and hit enter. It should say:

    java version "1.6.0_13"
    Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.6.0_13-b03)
    Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 11.3-b02, mixed mode, sharing)

    This means JDK 1.6 is installed properly on your system.

    If it says something like:
    The name specified is not recognized as as internal or external command, operable program or batch file.

    OR:
    Bad Command or file name.

    This means that either java is not at all installed or java.exe (which is in folder C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.6.0_13\bin ) is not in the PATH. If you are sure that it is installed then try:

    c:> echo %path% (Or echo $PATH on unix)

    See if C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.6.0_13\bin (or the bin directory where you have java.exe) is there in the PATH.

    If it is not, then either set the path in autoexec.bat (Win95/98) by adding a line: SET PATH=%PATH%;C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.5.0_04\bin; or add it in the environment variables (WinNT: start->settings->control panel-> system->environment tab, WinXP: start->control panel-> system ->Advanced ->environment variables tab) .
    For Win95/98, Restart the PC, or for WinNT, open up a new DOS window and repeat the above process.

  3. If you do not have java installed, please download J2SE 6 from Java Homepage.