ENVI 4.6 and 4.6.1 Java problems

ENVI 4.6/4.6.1 does not run.

This problem occurs both on upgrades from older versions of ENVI as well as on computers where ENVI 4.6 or 4.6.1 is the first version of ENVI to be installed.

Further examination of the error may report a message about Java incompatibilities, such as: _ Java Runtime Environment (JRE) or Java Development Kit (JDK) must be available in order to run Idlde. No Java virtual machine was found after searching the following locations list of locations searched_

This bug is documented by ITTVIS here:
http://download.ittvis.com/envi_4.6.1/Release_Notes.html

ENVI 4.6.1 requires that an old version of Java (5.0 Update 11) be installed to access the help files. The release notes above say “5.0 Update 11 or later”, however in SSC’s experience ENVI normally runs fine with Java 6, even 64-bit versions.

The steps:

  1. Download and install the Java Runtime Environment version 5.0 update 11. The JRE is a free download available directly from Sun Microsystems at: http://java.sun.com/products/archive/j2se/5.0_11/index.html
    Note: If your system already has version 5.0 update 11 (or later) of the JRE, proceed to step 3 to configure IDL to use the installed version.
  2. In many cases, the JRE installation process will place the required files in your system path, where they are available to IDL. In this situation, the IDL Workbench will now start without errors, and you do not need to take any additional action.
    If you attempt to start the IDL Workbench and receive the same error dialog, proceed to step 3.
  3. Modify the IDL Workbench initialization file to use the JRE installed on your system. You will need to modify the IDL Workbench .ini file located in the idlde subdirectory of your IDL 7.0.8 installation. Do one of the following:
  4. Windows Systems
    Open the idlde.ini file and add the following two lines at the beginning of the file:
    -vm
    C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_11\bin
where the second line is the directory that contains the file javaw.exe on your system.Make the same modification to the envi_idl.ini file located in the same directory.

Macintosh Systems
The Macintosh Operating system supplies its own version of the JRE. No additional configuration should be necessary.

Linux Systems
Open the idlde.linux.×86.ini file and add the following two lines at the beginning of the file:
-vm
/usr/java/jre/bin

where the second line is the directory that contains the file javaws on your system.

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