Unable to turn a layer off in ArcGIS 9.3.1

Question

I was called over to try and fix an issue with a coworkers ArcGIS software (ArcView 9.3.1 SP1, Windows 7) and couldn't fix it. When a certain layer is turned off in the table of contents it never turns off in the map. Refreshing the map doesn't work, jumping between data and layout view doesn't work either. Saving the map with the layer off, closing and then re-opening it doesn't make a difference. I removed and re-added the data, copied the shapefile to a different location, removed joins, etc. still the same problem. Has anyone had this issue and know of a fix? I don't have any control over the version and service pack they're using (they work for the state and I work at the county level, so we're on different systems). Other people in the office using the same data don't have the problem. I appreciate the help in advance.

Answer 1

Perhaps the features were converted to graphics at some point. In that case, they might appear exactly the same as the original feature class but would not turn off with the feature class, since they are graphics. This is just a guess but worth a look.

Answer 2

I agree with gpeterson turn the layer off and in dataview try to click on it if it selects they are probably graphics wich might have been converted to shapefile at some time but the graphics never deleted. If that does not work. Open a blank mxd and add the shapefile from the source see if you can turn it on and off.