"Error: Could not create Java Virtual Machine" When Launching InstallAnywhere

[#1]

Summary

Error during initialization of JVM when attempting to launch InstallAnywhere IDE or running build.exe

Symptoms

When attempting to launch the InstallAnywhere IDE, the following error message may be displayed:


The following error may also occur when attempting a command line build:

Error occurred during initialization of VM
Could not reserve enough space for object heap
Error: Could not create the Java Virtual Machine.
Error: A fatal exception has occurred. Program will exit.

Cause

This issue can occur when the maximum heap size for the Java VM is larger than what the computer's physical memory can allow.

Resolution

To decrease the Java heap size for the InstallAnywhere IDE on Windows or Linux, follow these steps:

1. Close the InstallAnywhere IDE.
2. Navigate to the main InstallAnywhere installation directory.
3. Open the InstallAnywhere.lax file in a text editor.
4. Find the following lines:

5. lax.nl.java.option.java.heap.size.initial=[size]
   lax.nl.java.option.java.heap.size.max=[size]

6. Specify the new memory size, which should be appropriate for the available amount of system resources, in bytes.
7. Save the InstallAnywhere.lax file.
8. Open/launch the InstallAnywhere IDE.

To decrease the Java heap size for the InstallAnywhere IDE on Mac OS X, follow these steps:

1. Close the InstallAnywhere IDE.
2. Navigate to the main InstallAnywhere installation directory.
3. Show the package contents of the InstallAnywhere.app package
4. Open the Info.plist file with a text editor
5. Find the following items under the VMOptions key:

6. <string>-Xmx[size]</string>
   <string>-Xms[size]</string>
   

7. Specify the new memory size, which should be appropriate for the available amount of system resources.
8. Save the Info.plist file.
9. Open/launch the InstallAnywhere IDE.

To decrease the Java heap size for the command line builder, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to the main InstallAnywhere installation directory.
2. For Windows or Linux, open the build.lax file in a text editor. For Mac OS X, open the build.command.lax file in a text editor.
3. Find the following lines:

4. lax.nl.java.option.java.heap.size.initial=[size]
   lax.nl.java.option.java.heap.size.max=[size]

5. Specify the new memory size, which should be appropriate for the available amount of system resources, in bytes.
6. Save the .lax file.
7. Run the command line build.

Additional Information

For more information on modifying the Java heap size, refer to: Increase the Java Heap Size Memory Allocation for InstallAnywhere IDE and Installer