Base map not displaying

[JB]

I have converted a CAD file to a shapefile in arc and assigned the shapefile a coordinate system. However when I import the shapefile into arcmap and add a base map the base map will not display and has an x where you should be able to turn on and off the imagery. I am wondering why it is doing this and how I would go about fixing this so the base map will display along with my image. Thank you in advance.

[ChrisDonohue__GISP]

One possibility is the coordinate system the mxd is using may not be complete.  To check this, I would start by seeing what coordinate system is in the Data Frame of your mxd, as it inherits the coordinate system of the first layer you added.  It may be that it picked up a partial or incomplete coordinate system from earlier work you did in the mxd.

Chris Donohue, GISP

[JB]

Thank you for your reply it turns out the CAD file was set up in feet when that particular coordinate system only recognizes meters. We had to create a custom coordinate system unfortunately. But thank you again!