ArcPad has stopped working...on the desktop

[SawyerScherer]

Unable to run ArcPad 10.0.2 on my desktop (Windows 7).  No idea why it stopped working.  ArcPad Studio works fine, as does the deployment manager.  The message I get on trying to start ArcPad..."ArcPad 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".

I have tried an uninstall several times with removals of MyArcPad directory, followed by re-installing.  I have tried downloading a fresh version of 10.0.2 as well.  Even tried removing the ArcPad registration in REGEDIT.EXE.

I have contacted our IT support on this issue, but may be a while before they get to me.

Would appreciate any advice at this point, ThankYou.
gabe

[DeniseKing]

Hi James,

Have you tried renaming the ArcPad.apx file in C:\Users\<profile>\Documents\My ArcPad\ path? I typically rename to oldArcPad.apx and restart the application. If this doesn't resolve the error and you are current in ArcPad maintenance, please log a support incident with Esri Support via http://support.esri.com/ so we can help to further troubleshoot this error.

Thank you,
Denise

[SawyerScherer]

Hi James,

Have you tried renaming the ArcPad.apx file in C:\Users\<profile>\Documents\My ArcPad\ path? I typically rename to oldArcPad.apx and restart the application. If this doesn't resolve the error and you are current in ArcPad maintenance, please log a support incident with Esri Support via http://support.esri.com/ so we can help to further troubleshoot this error.

Thank you,
Denise

I sure did Denise.  That does not work either.  Thanks for the suggestion though.  As noted in my first post, I've even tried starting from scratch with an uninstall, etc..
gabe

[RolfBroch]

I have discovered the same problem and in my case is was related to the ArcPadPrefs.apx file and the CONFIG tag.

If I delete/rename the ArcPad.apx file located in  C:\Users\Public\Documents\ArcPad\System I get the standard "It seems you are running ArcPad for the first time..." and a new ArcPad.apx file is created in the systems folder.

If I remove the path in
<CONFIG file="C:\Users\Public\Documents\ArcPad\System\ArcPad.apx"/>
in the ArcPadPrefs.apx file and only keep "ArcPad.apx" there, ArcPad will crash on start up.

The same will happen if I delete the ArcPadPrefs.apx file.

Rolf

[RonReuter]

I have the same problem.  uninstalled and reinstalled and still get the "ArcPad has stopped working" message.  Attached screen shot. 

Have tried the few suggested fixes to no avail.

[DeniseKing]

Hi rjreuter,

If the above suggestions do not resolve the error and you are current in ArcPad  maintenance, please log a support incident with Esri Support via http://support.esri.com/ so we can help to further troubleshoot this error.

Thank you,
Denise

[TimHopper]

We have narrowed down one particular issue with ArcPad crashing on startup to ArcPad.apx locations that reside on a network via a UNC path.  For most users, this is when their My Documents folder has been changed from the default C:\Users or C:\Documents and Settings location to a network location such as \\server\My Documents.

This is an issue which presented itself at 10.0.2.

CQ00312841: ArcPad crashes on startup when My Documents is mapped to a UNC path

There is a workaround for this issue.

1. Map a network drive (such as Z:\) to the UNC location where My Documents resides.  You can right-click on the My Documents folder, go to the Location tab, and copy the path from this location.  Set the mapped drive to that UNC path.
2. Change the location of My Documents to the mapped network drive (such as Z:\).  It will still be looking at the same network location, but referencing an actual drive letter instead of the UNC path.

Please see the following Microsoft KB article which will help you alter the location of the My Documents folder:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310147

3. After you change the location, ArcPad will start successfully.

After changing the My Documents location, I have been able to save the My ArcPad folder (from My Documents) and copy and paste this folder to other user's My Documents locations.  As long as they have the same mapped drive letter, ArcPad should open.

If you open ArcPad and look at the Options > General tab, you will see the location for the Configuration file (ArcPad.apx).  It is this preference that is causing the crash when looking for a the configuration file via UNC path.  After changing the location of My Documents, it writes the Z:\My Documents\My ArcPad path to the ArcPad preferences file (ArcPadPrefs.apx).  Copying and pasting the My ArcPad folder which contains this updated preferences file into other user profiles will allow ArcPad to open, as long as they have the same mapped drive.

Hope this helps.

Tim

[DanikBourdeau]

Hey Tim,

Is there a way to change the default folder of the ArcPadPrefs.apx file.  I want ArcPad to run exclusively on the local C: drive not the network. I know I can change the default paths for data and configuration file but can't seem to get ArcPad to load the preferences file from the C drive.

I would really prefer not to have to copy and paste into 50ish profiles some of which I don't even have access to.

Thanks

[TimHopper]

Danik,

No.  There aren't currently any options which will allow you to change the location of any of the other customization files (other than ArcPad.apx).  It looks by default to ...\My Documents\My ArcPad.

There is, however, an enhancement request currently logged for this functionality.

CQ00312476: Allow clients to change directory where .apx files are written to, during install.

[TimHopper]

To all who may look over this thread:

CQ00312841: ArcPad crashes on startup when My Documents is mapped to a UNC path

...has been resolved at ArcPad 10.0.3 (R3).  ArcPad 10.0.3 is currently available from the Customer Care site or by downloading the current Evaluation Version.  The evaluation version becomes a fully functioning version after entering a valid registration number.