Java Runtime problem from DOS Prompt(Urgent!)

[Sumit Israni]

Hello,
I am experiencing problem in running a Java program from the dos prompt.I am an experienced Java developer so there is no problem of classpath,environment .and so on.This problem however has arisen only after i recently installed an MSDN Library (October 1999).Before the installation it asked me whether the VB Runtime files are to be updated.I should have realized that it was an old software and given no , but unfortunately I pressed yes.
Now I am unable to run Java programs(earlier I could do so)and i am getting the following error :
Exception in thread "main" java.lang.NoClassDefFoundError: "classname"
This is the standard response i am getting for all programs.The programs are getting compiled though.
.The same program can be run however successfully from an IDE
I also discovered that certain help files were also not opening .These help files are however not pertaining to Java,but some other software.Now I have downloaded VB Runtime 6.0 files
and updated my system (WinNt4.0 sp4.0),still tried ,but to no effect.I suspect corruption in some files but I dont have a clue how to rectify this problem.If anybody can help me out please or suggest another alternative forum where this problem can be addressed,I shall be most grateful.
Many thanks
Sumit

[Axel Janssen]

Hi Sumit,
have you tried set Classpath=<%Classpath%>;.
just a shot in the dark
Axel

[Cindy Glass]

It really DOES sound like a classpath problem. Try going to the DOS propmt and typing >SET and looking to see if the classpath is what you THINK that it is.
You can always set up a bat file to set the classpath to what you want on the fly without messing with the autoexec.bat so that you won't hurt your IDE settings. Then you just run the bat file when you want to work in dos mode.

[Sumit Israni]

Hi Cindy/Alex,
WOW!VOILA !!IT WORKS!!! God u hit the bulls eye!.I redid my classpath and to my wonder , the car got started!!I could least expect the problem in my classpath as all along programs were working fine before.But I gave one last try to your advice..
and thanks a zillion.You guys are !

Regards,
Sumit

[Sumit Israni]

Hey Axel,
im sorry I spelled ur name wrong.It must have happened due to the excitement
.Thanks a lot buddy! .
Regards,
Sumit

[Rita Williams]

I just read an interesting article at TechRepublic about MS versions. The title is: "Backward compatibility issues can derail your development efforts". You may find some hints there.
<url>http://www.techrepublic.com/article.jhtml?id=r00820010710wam01.htm&page=1</url>;

[Sumit Israni]

Hi Rita,
Thanks for your response .. i went throu the article and really found it quite useful.I think that article's a must for every developer.In fact I am on the lookout for some kind of software that tracks the system updates and keeps your projects very well tuned .That would certainly be very handy.Thanks a lot for the useful advice..
Warm Regards,
Sumit