[UW-GIS-L] Resolution for ArcMap issue (fwd)

[Phil Hurvitz]

In case anyone has issues getting ArcMap to start, check your default 
printer!

-P.

  **************************************************************
   Phil Hurvitz, MFR | PhD Student, Urban Planning | Gould 440
     College of Architecture and Urban Planning | Box 355740
  University of Washington, Seattle, Washington  98195-5740, USA
  phurvitz at u.washington.edu | http://gis.washington.edu/phurvitz
  **************************************************************

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 25 Jul 2005 16:26:53 -0700 (PDT)
From: glickson at u.washington.edu
To: Harvey Greenberg <hgreen at u.washington.edu>,
     Phil Hurvitz <phurvitz at u.washington.edu>
Cc: mlog at u.washington.edu, jonathan kellogg <kellogj at u.washington.edu>,
     glickson at u.washington.edu
Subject: Resolution for ArcMap issue

Well, my crazy ArcMap issue has FINALLY been resolved.  And it turns out it is 
sort of a weird one, which is why it was a)so unique to me (and now Jon), and 
b)seemed so very random.

The trouble with ArcMap has nothing to do with the license key, license file, 
or installation.  Instead, it is due to the fact that I (and Jon) use a very 
flakey network printer as our default.  Evidently, ArcMap uses some piece of 
the Microsoft graphics device interface (GDI) - the resolution, I think.  It 
looks to the hardware, and specifically to the default printer.  Both Jon and I 
use a network printer that is more often than not having issues connecting to a 
network, and if ArcMap cannot get a response or it waits a very long time, it 
just blows up.

The solution is to install a dummy printer, local (using Generic -> 
Generic/Text Only) and making it the default printer (at least when you want to 
run ArcMap).  That keeps the app happy.  So far, it seems to work.

My tech support person said this doesn't always happen, even with bad netowrk 
printers, which is why it doesn't really appear on the any of the help-type 
pages.

I am extremely happy, both with the tech support and with the solution.
Thanks,
DebG

On another note, we're running a virtual cruise from Mary Gates Hall room 330, 
viewing real-time high-def video from the seafloor through a satellite uplink. 
It's very cool, and happening 24-7 for the next 9 days or so.  Come visit! I'm 
there 6AM to noon.

http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/05lostcity/background/plan/plan.html
http://www.immersionpresents.org/
http://lostcity.jason.org/home.aspx