Cannot Load Basemaps - The basemap contains one or more invalid layers

[AntonWolfaardt]

I'm new with ArcGis. Installed OK and now I must get going. BUT when I select a Basemap, eg Bing Maps Aerial, then it starts loading and a message pop up saying: "The Basemap contains one or more invalid layers" and subsequently only a few yellow lines, Equator, etc appears on the screen. Can anybody please comment and help.
Thanks Anton

[PatrickWard1]

Are you using the downloadable desktop version of ArcGIS Explorer or the online version from ArcGIS.com? If you are using the desktop version try downloading the latest drivers for your video card.

[JoelHennessy]

I still have this same problem, and have had it for many months.  I gave up trying to use ArcGIS Explorer, but then build 1700 came out, and I was hoping that build 1700 would solve it.  I uninstalled 1500 and installed 1700, with the same result - no basemaps, and I get the message "The basemap contains one or more invalid layers."  I opened a thread months ago on this issue.  None of the suggestions worked.  The suggestion to update video drivers was new, so I tried that, still no basemaps. I can add (some) other data from ArcGIS Online, such as USA State Plane Zones, but none of the basemaps show up.  I am at a complete loss.

[PatrickWard1]

Have you run the ArcGIS Explorer System Requirements Lab Analysis from the following link?
http://cyri.systemrequirementslab.com/1186/10895

Try downloading and installing MSXML 4.0 SP3 from the following link:
http://www.microsoft.com/DOWNLOADS/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=7f6c0cb4-7a5e-4790-a7cf-9e139e6819c0&dis...

[MarkBockenhauer]

The error may indicate that the URL(s) for the services used in the basemap cannot be accessed by your computer.  This is sometimes seen in organizations that use proxy servers or block specific sites.

If you open the attached NMF file does it display the World Topo service?

From Add Content in ArcGIS Explorer, can you:

Add GIS Services...
New Server Connection

Server Type: ArcGIS Server
Server: http://services.arcgisonline.com/arcgis/services

Click next to connect.

You should see a number of services, and you should be able to add them.

If you cannot add the server connection or services, there is something about your internet settings or configuration that is blocking access.

If the BaseMaps from the basemap gallery do not work, but you can open the attached NMF or connect directly to the services, the following URL may not be accessible, and needs to be, for the basemaps to work.

http://www.esri.com/software/basemaps/basemaps.xml

Specifically for the Bing Basemap you need access to the following URL(s):
http://serverapi.arcgisonline.com/
http://t0.tiles.virtualearth.net/  <-- Microsoft servers

For OpenStreetMap:
http://a.tile.openstreetmap.org



Mark

[JoelHennessy]

System requirements test - everything passes.

I cannot open the NMF file - message says need to repair source

When I try to add GIS server, it says failed to connect.

Your conclusion that there is something about my internet settings or configuration that is blocking access must be what is going on.  I am on a home PC, Windows 7, and I have checked the boxes allowing ArcGIS Explorer to communicate through the Windows Firewall.  I also have Norton Internet Security - looked at the settings in that, and it appears that ArcGIS Explorer is allowed to communicate back & forth (but there are lots of settings in that program I don't understand).  Not sure what to do next.

Thanks!