ArcReader 10.1 Crashing on Windows 8

Question

I recently sent a client their data and ArcReader 10.1 doc.  They are using Windows 8 and when opening the document ArcReader crashes.  No error message, just disappears.   The client is able to start ArcReader without crashing, so I've ruled out the install being bad, but the same behavior occurs when opening the doc from the File menu.   I have since tested the document and data using a Windows 8 machine we have in-house and I can open the document without problems.

We have tried the following with no luck:* Moved the data and document from a network location to local machine - still crashes
* Disabled anti-virus - still crashes
* Upgraded all underlying personal and file geodatabases to 10.1 - still crashes

Other info:* The client had been successfully using ArcReader 9.3 on Windows 8 prior to upgrading to 10.1
* The map contains only data from personal and file geodatabases, one shapefile, and a Mr SID ortho

Any insight as to the possible cause/solution or where I can look to get more details on why this is happening?

EdDempsey · Answer

Turns out it was a bad video driver.   Client update their driver and the map opened.

RobertBorchert · Answer

Ed,

Sorry but this is a basic question but a place to start.  Did you create your MXD and is your database that the PMF was created from made with 10.1

I have noticed some erroneous errors when using items created in 10.0 and used in 10.1

We have been able to fix the issues.

I am thinking that if ArcReader 10.1 opens just fine but the PMF causes it to crash it may be that kind of issue.

However, I have not tried it in Windows 8 nor have any of my clients. 
I recently sent a client their data and ArcReader 10.1 doc.  They are using Windows 8 and when opening the document ArcReader crashes.  No error message, just disappears.   The client is able to start ArcReader without crashing, so I've ruled out the install being bad, but the same behavior occurs when opening the doc from the File menu.   I have since tested the document and data using a Windows 8 machine we have in-house and I can open the document without problems.

We have tried the following with no luck:* Moved the data and document from a network location to local machine - still crashes
* Disabled anti-virus - still crashes
* Upgraded all underlying personal and file geodatabases to 10.1 - still crashes

Other info:* The client had been successfully using ArcReader 9.3 on Windows 8 prior to upgrading to 10.1
* The map contains only data from personal and file geodatabases, one shapefile, and a Mr SID ortho

Any insight as to the possible cause/solution or where I can look to get more details on why this is happening?

KyleTobias1 · Answer

I have not had a problem with ArcReader 10.1 running on the Windows 8 system. The problem I have encountered is getting ArcReader to actually work with a pmf.  Everytime it opens a pmf, it crashes! The same pmf has been viewed by people on our company network drive using Windows XP SP3 and Windows 7 SP1. Yet, ArcReader on Windows 8 (MS Tablet) crashes every time. 
John Woodard, MS
GIS Specialist
Chagrin Valley Engineering, Ltd.