java.lang.IllegalStateException: Error while loading manipulator

While trying to update eclipse plugins, you might get this error:
java.lang.IllegalStateException: Error while loading manipulator

The underlying error in the\workspace\.metadata\.log - would be something similar to:

!ENTRY org.eclipse.equinox.p2.engine 4 4 2010-06-01 00:19:00.483
!MESSAGE An error occurred while unconfiguring the items to uninstall
!SUBENTRY 1 org.eclipse.equinox.p2.engine 4 0 2010-06-01 00:19:00.483
!MESSAGE session context was:(profile=SDKProfile, phase=org.eclipse.equinox.internal.provisional.p2.engine.phases.Unconfigure, operand=[R]org.eclipse.equinox.common 3.5.0.v20090520-1800 --> [R]org.eclipse.equinox.common 3.5.1.R35x_v20090807-1100, action=org.eclipse.equinox.internal.p2.touchpoint.eclipse.actions.SetStartLevelAction).
!SUBENTRY 1 org.eclipse.equinox.p2.engine 4 0 2010-06-01 00:19:00.483
!MESSAGE Error while loading manipulator.
!STACK 0
java.lang.IllegalStateException: Error while loading manipulator.


Reason:
The eclipse has not loaded the equinox.launcher plugin.

What is Equinox and Why should I bother?

Equinox is the Osgi Framework implementation. So what? Alright, Eclipse uses OSGi as the basis for its plug-in system.

http://www.eclipse.org/equinox/

Solution:

We have to force load this plugin during startup by specifying it in the eclipse.ini.

• Open the Eclipse.ini
• Add the following line:

-startup
plugins/org.eclipse.equinox.launcher_1.0.201.R35x_v20090715.jar

• Restart Eclipse
• Try updating/installing plugins

Online XML Formatting.

Most of the times XML generated are not formatted. It is extremely difficult to read/debug.

This cool online tool solves this headache:

http://xmlindent.com/