Thanks for your reply. I forgot to mention that I installed a fresh java to try to help with the problem at the time. The version info is:
java version "1.7.0_06"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.7.0_06-b24)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 23.2-b09, mixed mode, sharing)
Thanks for your help...