title: JRE 1.7 - java version - returns: java/lang/NoClassDefFoundError: java/lang/Object
body: <p>When running any java application, or just 'java', the jvm fails:</p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>Error occurred during initialization of VM<br>
    java/lang/NoClassDefFoundError: java/lang/Object</p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <p>Here is a list of <em>wrong</em> answers:</p>
  
  <ol>
  <li><p>The correct Java home directory, including the /bin directory, is on the global PATH</p></li>
  <li><p>JAVA_HOME is set correctly</p></li>
  <li><p>Executing the command java -fullversion works</p>
  
  <pre><code>$ java -fullversion
  
  ./java full version "1.7.0_05-b05"
  </code></pre></li>
  <li><p>The symbolic links in /usr/java all point to the correct java installation</p></li>
  <li><p>I did not install any 'default' java when I created the system</p></li>
  <li><p><code>java -version</code> fails...same error as above</p></li>
  <li><p>Issuing the commands from under the directory structure of the java installation does not work either</p></li>
  <li><p>This is 64-bit java for a 64-bit</p></li>
  </ol>
  
  <p>Any ideas?</p>