The user was running WinNT 4.0 and received this error message when trying to launch Java WorkshopTM.
Loaded software from marimba company was removed from the user's system. The product was castanet. Afterwards, the JWS worked without problems. Apparently, the product SunTM Tuner came loaded with JDKTM, and this conflicted with JWS.
See www.marimba.com for more details on marimba products.
Another possible solution:
Double-click jws.exe within the C:\Java-WorkShop\jws\intel-win32\bin\ folder.