Display Issues with Build 1750

[GaryBucher]

I see that I won't be the first to post about this problem, but I'm hopeful that if I include sufficient detail, we might be able to get the problem resolved.

Software downloads and installs without issue. Upon opening ArcGIS Explorer, the default base map opens with the navigator displayed in the lower left corner of the screen. Some command ribbon groups and other pieces appear, but not the entire ribbon. If I hover the mouse over the command ribbon area, other pieces appear. If I press the alt key, the entire ribbon appears. However, unless I click one of the icons, the ribbon disappears. If I open one of the tools, portions of it will appear, but then quickly disappear. The same is true for the Find and Contents boxes on the left side of the screen. Most of what appears is functional, i.e. I was able to perform a search and add another layer. The full navigator contols do not appear until I hover the mouse near the bottom left of the screen. When I attempt to click on anything, the zoom, for example, the controls disappear.

I ran the utility to make sure I met all requirements and found that I met not only the minimum reqs but the recommended reqs as well. To be on the safe side, I  manually checked all reqs listed on the site. I've posted my laptop's relevant specs below and attached a screen shot to give anyone who's interested an idea of what I'm seeing.

Relevant specs:
Dell XPS 15 (L501X)
Intel Core i5 CPU M 460 @ 2.53 GHz (with an effective rate of 5.6 GHz)
Windows 7 64-bit
Display Adapter:  NVIDIA GeForce GT 420M with latest driver
Microsoft .NET Framework 4
MSXML 4.0 SP2

If anyone has resolved this problem, I'd sure appreciate hearing about it.

Thanks in advance!

[KarlMauch]

Gary,

Did you ever resolve your display issues? I recently downloaded ArcGIS Explorer and I too am having significant display glitches. Upon opening ArcGIS Explorer my system (specs below) with two monitors, the basemap is splashed across both screens and their never really is a 'window' that establishes ArcGIS Explorer. If I mouse around and eventually find the top of the window I can move it to the opposite screen it opened on, and then maximize the window and it will finally open entirely. However, my windows taskbar will continue to not show its elements until I mouse over the entire area. My problems sound fairly similar to yours and I was hoping you might have discovered a solution.

Dell Latitude E6520
Intel i7-2620M CPU @ 2.70GHz
6.00 GB RAM
64-bit Windows 7 Enterprise OS

Thanks for any help,

Karl

[RonLeonard]

Folks,

The problem arises on Dell notebook systems with an Nvidia display card installed, primarily with Windows 7/64-bit.  When systems (Latitude E-series and similar) are purchased with the Nvidia add-on display controller, the systems still have the Intel integrated display controller installed and functioning.  I haven't researched the why's and what for's regarding this configuration.

But with the Nvidia card there, opening GIS Explorer sends the map frame (pane) to fill the whole background.  There's a conflict happening with the Nvidia 3D controller.

I can't find the solution I discovered months ago, it may be the same as the one presented here.  Basically, you need to tell the ArcGIS Explorer application to use the integrated Intel display controller and not the Nvidia graphics processor.

++++++++++
If you open ArcGIS Explorer and it goes to the messed-up full screen mode, try finding the Map group on the ribbon, far right, and switch the view from 2D to 3D. This should restore the view to the normal window.  If you don't mind opening in 3D, close Explorer and respond yes to updating the "My Default Map" template.  The next time you open Explorer it will default to 3D mode and should open normally.  Then you can switch to 2D after the program opens.

But if you don't want to be concerned about the above work-around and open Explorer the way it should regardless of your choice of 2D/3D.  Close Explorer.  Open the Nvidia display Control Panel.  On the left select "Manage 3D Settings" from the "3D Settings" section.  Then go to the right side, move to the Program Settings tab.  Add ArcGIS Explorer to the list of programs by using the Add button and navigating to the E3.exe file, usually in ...\Explorer\bin folder.  Then select the integrated graphics as the preferred graphics processor.

Close the Nvidia control panel to save the changes.  And test open ArcGIS Explorer.

This may not be the correct solution, but it has worked for me.

[RonLeonard]

Cross post link to "ArcGIS Explorer opening up in Full Screen" thread...