Major problem preventing ARCGIS Explorer operation

[ThoralfGamlem]

I have installed and re-installed the downloadable Explorer and the required supporting software several times over the past 3 days. But the system won't work. I have listed the steps and features below as I understand the download process to require:

ARC GIS Explorer installation
System Requirements Lab test
    Meets minimum requirements for CPU, CPU speed, RAM, Video Card, OS, and free disk space
System requirements
    Microsoft Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (32 bit)
Additional Software requirements
    Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 Service Pack 2 for Vista (NETCFSetupv2.msi document)
    Microsoft XML Core Services (msxml.msi document , plus msxml4 KB941833, KB973685, KB973688    msxml4SP_RelNote.htm, msxmlcab.exe and msxmlsdk.exe)
Internet Explorer 8

Error note
 
ArcGIS Explorer has stopped working
A problem caused the program to stop working correctly. Windows will close the program and notify you if a solution is available

[MichaelBranscomb]

Thoralf,

Sorry to hear you're having a problem with your installation of ArcGIS Explorer. Although your PC meets the minimum spec according to the system requirements have you run the automated checker? (http://cyri.systemrequirementslab.com/1186/10895).

Even if your PC passes this test it is worth checking for an updated graphics driver for your graphics card. If it is a desktop PC try the graphics card vendor website, whereas if it is a laptop try the laptop vendor website.

Regards

Mike

[BobLooney]

I have friends who can't get 1200 to work.  They have downloaded v900, installed and are running with no problems.

[NatsukoTERASHIMA]

Thoralf and Bob,

Does your video card is ATI?
My co-workers that use ATI has same problem.
I recommend NVIDIA.

Thanks,
Natsuko

[MichaelBranscomb]

Natsuko,

Thanks for the information - it is possible that some combinations of software/hardware/drivers which involve ATI cards might not work - but during our testing prior to the release of 1200 we did not identify any. Also, we have ArcGIS Explorer 1200 successfully running on several machines in the office here which have ATI cards.

Regards

Mike

[ThoralfGamlem]

Thoralf,

Sorry to hear you're having a problem with your installation of ArcGIS Explorer. Although your PC meets the minimum spec according to the system requirements have you run the automated checker? (http://cyri.systemrequirementslab.com/1186/10895).

Even if your PC passes this test it is worth checking for an updated graphics driver for your graphics card. If it is a desktop PC try the graphics card vendor website, whereas if it is a laptop try the laptop vendor website.

Regards

Mike

I did check the system, and it exceeded the minimum requirements in all categories. I have now checked Toshiba for driver updates and downloaded the latest. Explorer still doesn't work after another restart. I guess this uninstall will be my last. Pretty frustrating. I tried to determine if going to Windows 7 might improve my chances of success, but couldn't get any reliable reading anywhere. And the 900 version apparently isn't available anymore to see if it would be different.

Thoralf

[dcopple]

Would be nice if they had an archive for the older versions.  Luckily my agency kept the older versions install file.  I sure hope 1500 comes out without the bugs!

[MichaelBranscomb]

Thoralf,

If you need to roll back - ArcGIS Explorer 900 can be downloaded here: http://gisupdates.esri.com/ArcGISExplorer/Build900/ArcGISExplorerDownload.exe. In a few weeks we hope to be releasing ArcGIS Explorer 1500 which contains many enhancements over the 1200 release in addition to bug fixes.

It is a shame you have had a frustrating experience so far with Explorer 1200 - perhaps you can list your hardware/software spec so we can try to ensure it's covered in our testing. I do not know whether Windows 7 offers a better environment for running ArcGIS Explorer specifically but it is widely regarded as a more stable OS all round - and we're running ArcGIS Explorer very well on many laptops/desktops here in the office.

Regards

Mike

[ThoralfGamlem]

Thoralf,

If you need to roll back - ArcGIS Explorer 900 can be downloaded here: http://gisupdates.esri.com/ArcGISExplorer/Build900/ArcGISExplorerDownload.exe. In a few weeks we hope to be releasing ArcGIS Explorer 1500 which contains many enhancements over the 1200 release in addition to bug fixes.

It is a shame you have had a frustrating experience so far with Explorer 1200 - perhaps you can list your hardware/software spec so we can try to ensure it's covered in our testing. I do not know whether Windows 7 offers a better environment for running ArcGIS Explorer specifically but it is widely regarded as a more stable OS all round - and we're running ArcGIS Explorer very well on many laptops/desktops here in the office.

Regards

Mike

Thank you for your additional information. I uninstalled the 1200 and installed the 900 version you provided the link to, but the result was the same. Still won't run with my current configuration. I have attached information about my computer and software. Don't know what else would be helpful, but I can provide whatever else might be meaningful. I am increasingly frustrated but continue to believe there should be an answer somewhere.

Thoralf

[MichaelBranscomb]

Thoralf,

Thanks for posting your machine spec - everything appears sufficient for running ArcGIS Explorer - although it looks like there's a warning on the recommended tab of the system checker web page. It's not possible to comment on the other software you have installed - although I suppose it is possible that there could be a conflict over a shared resource on the system.

Another suggestion would be to follow the steps on one of the many Vista optimisation articles - here's one from Microsoft themselves: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Optimize-Windows-Vista-for-better-performance - to see if that makes a difference.

Regards

Mike