Splash screen displays but ArcMap fails to launch after installing ArcPad

Description

When launching ArcMap after installing ArcPad, only the splash screen displays. The screen disappears and the application fails to start. No error messages are displayed.

Cause

When ArcMap creates .ecfg files with extensions like Business Analyst, the CATID folder is automatically created. In some cases, there may be .ecfg files that worked with previous versions but do not work with ArcGIS 10.2 and can occasionally cause conflicts. When ArcMap is launched, the application accesses the CATID folder. This folder is also created when either customizations or third-party tools are installed.

Solution or Workaround

1. Navigate to:
   
   

   C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\ArcGIS\Desktop10.X\Configuration\CATID

   
   
2. Rename this folder to CATID_OLD.
3. Restart ArcMap.