Error: "Could Not Create the Java Virtual Machine" When Uninstalling SiteMinder Web Agent 12.52SP1CR11 on Windows

Products

• SITEMINDER
• CA Single Sign On Agents (SiteMinder)
• CA Single Sign-On

Issue/Introduction

SiteMinder Web Agent version 12.52.111.2820 (CR11) cannot be uninstalled on Windows. The following error is displayed whether the uninstall is launched from Control Panel or directly from the uninstaller executable:

Path to uninstaller:

<Agent_Install_Dir>\webagent\win64\install_config_info\ca-wa-uninstall\uninstall.exe

Error message:

Java Virtual Machine Launcher

Error: Could not create the Java Virtual Machine.
Error: A fatal exception has occurred. Program will exit.

Environment

Web Agent 12.52SP1CR11 on Windows

Cause

The JRE bundled with the CR11 Web Agent uninstaller fails to initialize on Windows.

SiteMinder Web Agent CR11 introduced OpenJDK 64-Bit Server JVM 11, replacing the Oracle JDK 1.8 used in all previous agent releases. The ext folder under the bundled JRE's lib directory causes the JVM launcher to fail during the uninstall process.

Resolution

Note: This is a temporary workaround. A permanent fix is targeted for a future Web Agent release.

1. Navigate to the following directory on the Web Agent server:
   
   %ProgramFiles%\CA\webagent\win64\install_config_info\install_config_jre\lib\
   
   
2. Rename the ext folder to ext_backup (or any other name):
   
   ext to ext_backup
   
   
3. Re-run the uninstaller:
   
   <Agent_Install_Dir>\webagent\win64\install_config_info\ca-wa-uninstall\uninstall.exe
   
   
4. The uninstaller should now launch successfully.
5. Once the uninstall is complete, no further action is required. The renamed folder can be deleted.