FULL PRODUCT VERSION :
JDK 7u21

I've downgraded to 7u17, so the full version info is unavailable.

ADDITIONAL OS VERSION INFORMATION :
Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7601]

A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM :
I use the following runtime parameters in the  " Java Runtime Environment Settings "  dialog from Java Control Panel to debug applet:

-classic -verbose -Xdebug -Xnoagent -Dcom.sun.management.jmxremote -Djavaplugin.classloader.cache.enabled=false -Djava.compiler=NONE -Xrunjdwp:transport=dt_socket,server=y,address=8055,suspend=n

This setting works fine on 7u17 and lower versions, but doesn't work at all on 7u21. With Process Explorer, I noticed that only  " -verbose -Xdebug "  were appended to the parameters of java.exe, and others were just missing. I tried to reinstall 7u21 and even reboot the OS, but this issue was still there. I had to downgrade to 7u17 so that I'm able to debug my code.

REGRESSION.  Last worked in version 7u17

STEPS TO FOLLOW TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM :
1. Set the following parameters in the  " Java Runtime Environment Settings "  dialog, from Java Control Panel:

-classic -verbose -Xdebug -Xnoagent -Dcom.sun.management.jmxremote -Djavaplugin.classloader.cache.enabled=false -Djava.compiler=NONE -Xrunjdwp:transport=dt_socket,server=y,address=8055,suspend=n

2. Run an applet.

3. Use an IDE, e.g. NetBeans, to attach a debugger to the applet.

EXPECTED VERSUS ACTUAL BEHAVIOR :
EXPECTED -
The debugger should be successfully attached to the applet process.
ACTUAL -
The debugging connection is refused.

ERROR MESSAGES/STACK TRACES THAT OCCUR :
Connection refused.

REPRODUCIBILITY :
This bug can be reproduced always.

---------- BEGIN SOURCE ----------
Any applet will do.
---------- END SOURCE ----------