Spatial reference, statistics, or pyramids are not persistent for rasters

Description

The spatial reference or statistics for the raster, stored in the .AUX file, or pyramids built for rasters, stored in the .RRD file, do not "stick" with the file after the folder has been refreshed or ArcCatalog has been closed.

Cause

This may occur with rasters for the following reasons:

> Raster is stored on a network location.
> Raster is on read-only media like CD-ROMs.
> Raster is read-only.
> Directory path to raster includes a directory which is read-only.
> The path to 'RasterProxies' folder, which is set in the system registry at C:\temp\RasterProxies, does not exist on the computer.

Solution or Workaround

Warning:
 WARNING: This article contains instructions to make specific changes to essential parts of your operating system. If these specific changes are not done correctly, it may cause serious problems to your computer operating system and files. First, ESRI recommends that you make a complete backup of your system, including the registry, before implementing any of the specific changes. It is highly recommended that you consult with your IT/MIS department, or other qualified computer systems professional before proceeding. ESRI cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from incorrect use of the Registry Editor utility. Use the Registry Editor utility at your own risk. Note: your operating system and any subsequent service packs may effect these instructions. These instructions are subject to change without notice.

1. Start REGEDIT by typing "REGEDIT", without quotes, into the 'Run' option of the Windows 'Start' menu. When it opens, navigate to 'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > ESRI > Raster > Environment', and look for "TMPDIR". If the key does not exist, or does not have a value, use the following procedure to set this key properly.
   
   Close REGEDIT.
2. Open Windows Explorer by right-clicking on the Start button and selecting 'Explore" from the menu.
3. For ArcGIS 8.x
   Navigate to c:\arcgis\arcexe83\utilities and double-click 'AdvancedArcMapSettings.exe' to start the application.
   
   For ArcGIS 9.x
   Navigate to C:\Program Files\ArcGIS\Utilities and double-click 'AdvancedArcMapSettings.exe' to start the application.
   

   Note:
   Your installation location may be slightly different. If you have trouble finding the utility, simply do a search on your machine for "advancedarcmapsettings"

   
   
4. In the 'Advanced ArcMap Settings' dialog, select the 'Raster' tab.
5. Note the bottom line, "Proxy File Location (requires ADMIN permissions to update)". If you have adminitrative access to the computer, enter the desired raster proxies location in the space provided. This can be any valid directory on a local hard drive, but it is best to use something simple and easy to find, like "c:\temp\rasterproxies".
   

   Warning:
   The path entered for the 'RasterProxies' location must exist on the hard drive.

   
   
   

   Note:
   If you do not have Administrative privileges on the computer, have your system administrator log you on as an Administrator user to perform this operation.

   
   
6. Restart ArcCatalog > ArcToolBox, and perform the problem operation again.
   
   

   Note:
   There may be other causes for these problems with rasters. If this suggestion does not resolve the issue, please contact ESRI Technical Support for further instructions.