IBM Support

"Could not create the Java virtual machine" error launching Rational Software Architect

Troubleshooting


Problem

Attempts to launch IBM Rational Software Architect results in an error from the Java Virtual Machine Launcher stating "Could not create the Java virtual machine".

Symptom

Attempts to launch IBM Rational Software Architect results in the following error:


Cause

The Java Virtual Machine uses the -Xmx switch to define the maximum size of the JVM's heap memory. If you are seeing this error message it is likely that the -Xmx switch in the eclipse.ini file is set too high for the current environment.

Resolving The Problem

There are two possible solutions for this issue.

  1. Remove the line in the eclipse.ini file that starts -Xmx

    Note:
    eclipse.ini is located in your RSA install folder (default is C:\Program Files\IBM\SDP\)


    or

  2. Reduce the value of the -Xmx switch

    By default, the value of the -Xmx switch in RSA 7.5.x is 1024 m. Slowly reduce this value until the tool is able to launch (usually 928 m).

    For this example

    -Xmx1024m

    becomes

    -Xmx928m

    Only lower the value just far enough to allow the tool to launch, as the lower this value is, the less memory RSA is allowed to use. You may run into performance problems if the value is set too low.

    Note: eclipse.ini is in your RSA installation folder (default is C:\Program Files\IBM\SDP\)

[{"Product":{"code":"SS4JCV","label":"Rational Software Architect for WebSphere Software"},"Business Unit":{"code":"BU053","label":"Cloud & Data Platform"},"Component":"Eclipse","Platform":[{"code":"PF033","label":"Windows"}],"Version":"7.5;7.5.1;7.5.2","Edition":"","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB15","label":"Integration"}},{"Product":{"code":"SS4JE2","label":"Rational Software Architect Standard Edition"},"Business Unit":{"code":"BU053","label":"Cloud & Data Platform"},"Component":"Eclipse","Platform":[{"code":"PF033","label":"Windows"}],"Version":"7.5;7.5.1;7.5.2","Edition":"","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB36","label":"IBM Automation"}},{"Product":{"code":"SS5JSH","label":"Rational Software Architect RealTime Edition"},"Business Unit":{"code":"BU053","label":"Cloud & Data Platform"},"Component":"Eclipse","Platform":[{"code":"PF033","label":"Windows"}],"Version":"7.5.2","Edition":"","Line of Business":{"code":"","label":""}},{"Product":{"code":"SSCLKU","label":"Rational Software Modeler"},"Business Unit":{"code":"BU053","label":"Cloud & Data Platform"},"Component":"Eclipse","Platform":[{"code":"PF033","label":"Windows"}],"Version":"7.0;7.0.0.1;7.0.0.2;7.0.0.3;7.0.0.4;7.0.5;7.0.5.1;7.0.5.2;7.0.5.3;7.5;7.5.1;7.5.2","Edition":"","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB45","label":"Automation"}},{"Product":{"code":"SSJP3D","label":"Rational Systems Developer"},"Business Unit":{"code":"BU053","label":"Cloud & Data Platform"},"Component":"Eclipse","Platform":[{"code":"PF033","label":"Windows"}],"Version":"7.0;7.0.0.1;7.0.0.2;7.0.0.3;7.0.0.4;7.0.5;7.0.5.1;7.0.5.2;7.0.5.3","Edition":"","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB45","label":"Automation"}},{"Product":{"code":"SSYK2S","label":"Rational Software Architect Designer"},"Business Unit":{"code":"BU053","label":"Cloud & Data Platform"},"Component":"Eclipse","Platform":[{"code":"PF033","label":"Windows"}],"Version":"7.0;7.0.0.1;7.0.0.2;7.0.0.3;7.0.0.4;7.0.0.5;7.0.0.6;7.0.0.7;7.0.0.8","Edition":"","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB45","label":"Automation"}}]

Document Information

Modified date:
10 September 2020

UID

swg21380697