topic Re: Total Black Screen instead of Map (ArcMap) in ArcGIS Desktop Installation Support Questions

Total Black Screen instead of Map (ArcMap)

AndreaPaindelli — Wed, 17 Apr 2019 10:31:56 GMT

Good afternoon,

I write here because I am experiencing some issues with my ArcGIS version.

Below a little description of what my problem is:

I have a student License for ArcGIS Desktop with Newcastle University.

I'm trying to open some maps that I have, but I always have the same problem: I cannot visualize any map. I have just a black screen.

Checking on the internet it seems like the map "has no spatial references", but I can easily visualize it on other computers, so I don't know where my problem came from.

I tried to fix this problem following some suggestions found on the internet, but nothing happened.

I have exactly the same problem, anyway if I try with other maps/shape files.

You can find a screen attached.

How can I solve this issues?

Thank You in advance,

Andrea

Re: Total Black Screen instead of Map (ArcMap)

DanPatterson_Retired — Wed, 17 Apr 2019 11:23:46 GMT

Bottom right of your image, it says "unknown units"

Did you by chance add all the data at once? or just one file at a time?

Perhaps create a new blank map and add just one file and zoom to that layer. Check the layers properties and report the extent and coordinate system. Could be that one file is in error or isn't the same as the other layers.

If this happens with all data, you may need to do a "repair" on your installation

Re: Total Black Screen instead of Map (ArcMap)

VictoriaAnderson — Wed, 17 Apr 2019 12:13:41 GMT

Does the black screen appear if there is no data in the map? Or does it only appear after data has been added?

You could try resetting ArcMap's application profile. There are directions on how to do this here: https://community.esri.com/docs/DOC-2121-resetting-your-arcgis-application-profile

Also, what version of ArcMap are you using?

Re: Total Black Screen instead of Map (ArcMap)

AndreaPaindelli — Sun, 21 Apr 2019 23:24:37 GMT

Good Evening Dan,

I tried to add just one file per time and also all the files altogether, but the problem remains.

I also tried to repair the installation, but nothing has changed.

I noticed that the maps exist under the black screen because I can see it just for a millisecond, but after that, it disappears below the black square.

Any idea??

Thanks,

Andrea

Re: Total Black Screen instead of Map (ArcMap)

AndreaPaindelli — Sun, 21 Apr 2019 23:26:25 GMT

Good Evening Victoria,

I tried already to reset ArcMap's application profile, deleting the ESRI folder, but nothing has changed.

The black screen appears also if there is no data loaded.

I noticed that the maps exist under the black screen because I can see it just for a millisecond, but after that, it disappears below the black square.

Any idea?

Thanks Again,

Andrea

Re: Total Black Screen instead of Map (ArcMap)

AndreaPaindelli — Tue, 23 Apr 2019 22:33:07 GMT

Good Evening guys,

That's the message I receive every time I try to Add a shapefile.

It could be useful.

Thank You,

Andrea

Re: Total Black Screen instead of Map (ArcMap)

DanPatterson_Retired — Tue, 23 Apr 2019 22:40:22 GMT

It means that there is no defined coordinate system for the file, so it won't behave well with other data. If you open a new map with no other data, you should be able to add it to the map. If it doesn't appear, then right-click on the layer and select zoom to layer. If you can see it good. If the map is totally black, then that warning is of no consequence.

Re: Total Black Screen instead of Map (ArcMap)

AndreaPaindelli — Tue, 23 Apr 2019 22:54:39 GMT

Nothing so far, still a black square also trying zooming to the layer.

Re: Total Black Screen instead of Map (ArcMap)

DanPatterson_Retired — Tue, 23 Apr 2019 23:05:19 GMT

If reinstalling or repairing the software doesn't work... no clue

check your computers ability to run the software on the link on this page

ArcGIS Desktop 10.7 system requirements—ArcGIS Help | ArcGIS Desktop

maybe you have a bad or undernourished video

Re: Total Black Screen instead of Map (ArcMap)

AmnoyAm — Tue, 23 Apr 2019 23:45:24 GMT

Andrea,

You mentioned you see the black screen on an new empty map before any data layer is added. If this is the case, ArcMap itself is not functioning properly. Concentrate on that issue instead of the data. Consider the following:

1. Local profile. If you have another account on that machine, log in as that user and start ArcMap. If you do not have another account, create a new local user. If ArcMap starts normally, you have a corrupt profile which need to be fix. If it shows the black screen still, you can rule out local profile as an issue.

2. Start ArcCatalog, does it display the same issue? If it does, there is a problem with the installation of Desktop. If the issue is isolated to just ArcMap, the installation is likely fine and the issue is specific to just ArcMap.

3. At this point, the common issue is either with an add-on for ArcMap that has been corrupt or no longer work with the current version of ArcMap. At this point, I suggest you contact Esri Technical Support. An analyst can help you troubleshoot to determine if there is a third party add-on or conflicting GIS application that can cause the issue.

Re: Total Black Screen instead of Map (ArcMap)

AndreaPaindelli — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 21:33:26 GMT

I have the same issue with ArcCatalog. I've noticed that the map is there, below the black square. I can see just for a millisecond and then it disappears.

I tried to fix the Installation again. Nothing has changed.

Maybe is there any restriction for using ArcGIS on a Virtual Machine? because I'm running into a Windows 7 on Virtual Box (I'm a Mac User) but I've no problem with every other program I use, so I don't know if this can affect ArcGIS or not.

I already tried to modify VirtualMachine graphics drivers (such as giving more Video Memory), but nothing has changed. Again.

Re: Total Black Screen instead of Map (ArcMap)

AndreaPaindelli — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 21:38:00 GMT

I'm running ArcGIS on a Virtual Machine (Virtual Box, because I'm a Mac user). I already tried to change some drivers of the Virtual Machine, such as the Video Memory, but nothing has changed.

I've to point up that I use a large number of other programs on this Virtual Machine, with no problem.

Re: Total Black Screen instead of Map (ArcMap)

DanPatterson_Retired — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 22:13:07 GMT

ArcGIS Pro has issues

Run ArcGIS Pro on a Mac—ArcGIS Pro | ArcGIS Desktop

Re: Total Black Screen instead of Map (ArcMap)

AndreaPaindelli — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 23:13:05 GMT

Please check the screen-recording.

That's what happens (ArcCatalog example). I can view the map (some rivers) for just some millisec and then it disappears. It's quite strange.

Is there anyone who ever had this type of problem?

It seems something related to graphic, as suggested by some Users. So I gave to VM high Video memory, the updated DirectX and Open GL, last WIndows SP and more RAM, but it always the same problem.

(view in My Videos)

Re: Total Black Screen instead of Map (ArcMap)

DanPatterson_Retired — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 23:26:46 GMT

besides previewing in catalog, just confirming that you 'map' is black when you add the shapefile to it... catalog preview is one thing, but confirmation of that in a map would suggest you call tech support

ArcGIS Desktop 10.7 system requirements—ArcGIS Help | ArcGIS Desktop

Re: Total Black Screen instead of Map (ArcMap)

AmnoyAm — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 23:34:02 GMT

A trick I used before, temporarily disable the graphic card driver. Everything will be grainy but see if you can start ArcMap without the black screen. It will at least let you know if the drive is the issue.

Re: Total Black Screen instead of Map (ArcMap)

AndreaPaindelli — Fri, 26 Apr 2019 00:23:08 GMT

I tried and it worked. So we got the confirmation that it was the Graphic Card.

Re: Total Black Screen instead of Map (ArcMap)

AndreaPaindelli — Fri, 26 Apr 2019 00:27:19 GMT

I got the solution.

I deactivate 3D acceleration on VirtualBox Settings and everything is working now.

I post a screen below. "Enable 3D acceleration" has to be unselected.

Thank You all Guys