ArcGIS Explorer Map Window Blank/Clear

[DarcyGuyant]

Just downloaded ArcGIS Explorer. The Tool Bars appear just fine, but the Map Window/Data Frame Window is blank (like a clear window).  See the attached .jpg.

I have a Sony VIAO (Model VGN-NS29J).  While trouble shooting I used an Intel Driver Utility update.  This driver appears to be the most current.  (This is shown in the attached .jpg)

So what's the problem?  How do I fix it?

Thanks

Darcy

[JoeFlannery]

Darcy:

I would guess that it is your graphics driver software.  We had similar results with Dell laptops.  We installed Intel driver updates and that did not work.  We uninstalled the Intel updates and went back to the Dell support site and downloaded the most current drivers intended to be installed with the model of laptop.  I would look for the most current graphics driver provided by Sony for your model of laptop.

[MichaelBranscomb]

Darcy,

Joe is probably right - almost all display issues we have had reported have been resolved with a driver update. Generally laptops which often have an onboard/integrated/specific graphics card need updated graphics drivers from the laptop vendor whereas desktop machines often have regular graphics and will require a new driver from the grahpics card vendor.

You should also check your computers specs meet the ones here: http://wikis.esri.com/wiki/display/agxpsr/ArcGIS+Explorer+System+Requirements and in particular run the system checker linked from that page.

Regards

Mike

[SarahBarr]

Hi,

I am having the same problem with a Sony VAIO SR series.  I did not install the Intel driver update on Intel's site because, like you said, it gave me a message saying that Sony has a customized driver so I should visit their site.  I found the video driver updates for my model on Sony's website and installed them last night, but I am still having no luck... getting the blank/clear window....  Any other suggestions?  I am running Vista.

Thanks,
Sarah

[MichaelBranscomb]

Sarah,

Did you try running the System Requirements Checker referenced in the earlier post? (it's currently http://cyri.systemrequirementslab.com/1186/10895 but this is updated each release of ArcGIS Explorer). This will report whether you system has sufficient resources to run ArcGIS Explorer.

Regards

Mike

[SarahBarr]

Hi Mike,

Thanks for responding.  I did run the system check and passed.  I exceeded the minimum requirements, but wasn't quite up to the recommended.  I don't know what to do.  This is a bummer because I want to teach ArcGIS Explorer to my Urban Planning students in the Fall, but if I can't even get it to run on my machine, then we might have to forgo it.

Sarah

[MichaelBranscomb]

Sarah,

Apologies for the delay in replying - unfortunately I didn't receive an alert to tell me the thread had been updated.

My last suggestion beyond updating the graphics drivers would be to look at trying to optimise the performance of your Vista laptop - Microsoft actually publish a list of tips for this: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Optimize-Windows-Vista-for-better-performance.

Finally - I forgot to ask - was this in 3D? If so, did you try switching to 2D?

Regards

Mike

[RyanS]

mbranscomb

Downloaded the ArcExplorer in the above link that you provided for Windows Vista and it worked! 3 days I have spent trying to get it to work. Thank you so much! R