Cannot create base map layer or group layer

[BenjaminSchumann]

Hi,
I have not used ArcMap for 2 months and suddenly it behaves strange: When starting a new map from scratch, I cannot add a basemap and I cannot create new (basemap or group) layers. I see the option and can click it and there is not even an error message, its just: nothing happens.
Even when adding a basemap, I see the selection window and can select, for example, OSM. But nothing happens after that, the program doesn't even crash...

Any ideas?
I am using ArcMap 10.0

thanks in advance, I could not find anything like this using search.
Ben

[RoyMarsh]

No solution, just to say you're not the only one. I have ArcMap 10 (single user domestic / XP) and nothing happens when I try to create a group layer. Though 'something' happens because I can Edit/Undo it. ESRI won't help because I'm only a domestic user and search has thrown nothing up so far. My only course of action now is to get v10.1 and hope the problem's gone away. Roy

Hi,
I have not used ArcMap for 2 months and suddenly it behaves strange: When starting a new map from scratch, I cannot add a basemap and I cannot create new (basemap or group) layers. I see the option and can click it and there is not even an error message, its just: nothing happens.
Even when adding a basemap, I see the selection window and can select, for example, OSM. But nothing happens after that, the program doesn't even crash...

Any ideas?
I am using ArcMap 10.0

thanks in advance, I could not find anything like this using search.
Ben

[JonathanQuinn]

Can you try to rename your Normal.mxt first?

Make sure that all ArcMap and ArcCatalog instances are closed:
1)  In Windows 7:  Navigate to C:\Users\<your_username>\AppData\Roaming\ESRI\Desktop10.0\ArcMap\Templates\.
    In Windows XP:  Navigate to C:\Documents and Settings\<Your Userprofile>\Application Data\ ESRI\Desktop10.0\ArcMap\Templates\.
Note:  If you can't see the Application Data folder, go to Tools > Folder Options > View.  Under Hidden files and folders, select Show hidden files, folders, and drives.  In Windows 7, press Alt to get the toolbar that the Tools menu is on.
2)  Rename the Normal.mxt to Normal_old.mxt.

Open ArcMap and see if the problem is reproducible.

[BenjaminSchumann]

Thanks for the quick replies and solution suggestion.
However, I deleted the normal.mxt but the problem persists as before.
I also can undo the action like roymarsh11.

Any other ideas?

thanks in advance
Ben

[JonathanQuinn]

Roy had posted in a different forum and the problem had actually turned out to be he was in the Source tab in the Table of Contents rather than the List by Visibility tab.  Is this the case for you?

[BenjaminSchumann]

It was actually. Only that the correct "list by" viewing mode should not be "list by visibility" but "list by drawing order".
However, I am still unable to actually create and see a basemap. Usually, I simply clicked "Add Data/Add Basemap", selected whichever and it showed up. Now, I can select it but nothing loads/shows. This is independent of the view type.

thanks for the great help so far

[JonathanQuinn]

Sorry, you're right, I meant List by Drawing Order.  So is the problem specific to only adding a basemap?  You mentioned you can't add a group layer either, (right click on the Layers data frame and go to New Group Layer), correct?

[BenjaminSchumann]

I can now add group layers, so yes: the only problem left is that I cannot add basemaps at all (neither showing in the tree nor loading anything from the web).
All I can do is click "add basemap" and select any from the menu, but then nothing happens anymore. No crashes, no errors, just a blank map as before...

thanks again for coming back.

[JonathanQuinn]

What service pack are you on?  Can you add a basemap from a GIS Server connection?

1)  In ArcCatalog, expand the GIS Server folder.
2)  Double click on Add ArcGIS Server and select Use GIS Services at the screen that appears
3)  For the URL, enter http://services.arcgisonline.com/arcgis/services
4)  Once the connection has been made, either use the Add Data button or drag and drop the basemap you'd like to use into the map.

[BenjaminSchumann]

Well, your steps do enable me to load basemaps (provided I created a basemap layer previously). Upon dragging the selected map from ArcCatalog to ArcMap (into the basemap layer), I can see the map as a whole (i.e. the whole earth).
However, whenever I want to zoom in, I can see the "loading" button at the bottom right (the revolving earth) but after a while, the data view goes white and the button disappears. And I cannot ever get to see my map again, only in the layer tree...

I don't know what service pack I am on but the "About ArcMap" windows says its version 10.0 (build 2414).

thanks again for sticking with me and being so helpful... 🙂