Issues with ArcMap Toolbox scripts

[JackieFisher]

I'm operating in ArcGIS for Desktop (10.4.0.5524) and have begun having fatal errors with running scripts out of the ArcToolbox.  Merge, Union, Append ... all operations I've worked with in the past on Shapefiles now gives a fatal error & kicks me out of ArcMap.  Any suggestions?

[XanderBakker]

Did anything change or your computer between the time it worked and now?

If ArcMap closes just from running a standard geoprocessing tool, that isn't a good sign. You could try to delete the Normal.mxt from your user folder and see if something changes, but you may have to reinstall ArcGIS. 

[JackieFisher]

I will give that a try.  Didn't know if anything had changed because I had not yet upgraded to 10.5.

[JackieFisher]

If I need to reinstall ... would it be advantageous at this point just to upgrade anyway?

[JayantaPoddar]

Reinstalling should be your last resort.

You could try repairing ArcGIS Desktop if https://community.esri.com/docs/DOC-2121?sr=search&searchId=59e7ff51-0670-4c81-9df2-2c4ff480313b&sea...‌ doesn't work.

[JackieFisher]

Am having a hard time finding the *.mxt file (or directory).  Will set up the search when I get home & just let it run.  Question about upgrading to 10.5 ... would that resolve the issue or better to get this repaired first?

[JayantaPoddar]

Find Normal.mxd and delete/rename it.

I have the file in the following location.

C:\Users\<CurrentUserName>\AppData\Roaming\ESRI\Desktop10.4\ArcMap\Templates

You need to "Show hidden files, folders and drives".

[JackieFisher]

Thanks for the additional info.  Did find the file ... renamed it to Normal_old.mxt.  After a restart, still ended up with the fatal error just requesting a Table conversion to Excel.  I've gone through the repair process already.  Any more ideas other than an uninstall / install?

[JayantaPoddar]

Try these two steps

1. Disable Background Processing in ArcMap. Foreground and background processing—Help | ArcGIS for Desktop 

2.If the above step doesn't resolve the issue, try changing the security setting of Internet Explorer to Medium.

Else, it would be wise to contact your local Esri Support before you uninstall the ArcGIS Desktop.

[curtvprice]

A fatal error that crashes ArcMap (you didn't say what "kick out" means exactly, but I'm assuming memory could not be read or the application closed... usually suggests issues with Windows, temp file space, system problems. Especially if many unrelated tools are all failing. In this case a reinstall of ArcGIS isn't going to do much for you unless it addresses the root issue. Is your disk full?