hiiii..
there are different ways to permanently set classpaths according to the OS you are using...
if you are using Windows NT/2000 then follow these steps
1. right click on My Computers
2. click on Environment tab
3. select classpath and add the following into it
<drive_letter>:\j2sdk_1.4.0\bin
4. select PATH and append the following
string <drive_letter>:\j2sdk_1.4.0\lib;
and you are done. you will not need to set classpath everytime you open a new window or restart the machine.
in windows98 onwards
you need to append both the above strings into the PATH variable.
and yeah do remember to restart.. sometimes this doesn't work unless you restart machine..
if still in doubt please revert back
Thanks
Amit