Script error searching for tools in ArcGIS 10.2.1 search window

Question

Until I tried installing Visual Studio 6.0 and Crystal Reports 8.5 last week, my ArcGIS was working perfectly. After the installation, however, every time I try to execute any search in the search window in ArcGIS 10.2.1 (both ArcMap and ArcCatalog), I get a script error with the message Object reference not set to instance of an object on Line 93.

Below is the function from the file which is causing the error described.

    function DoSearch()
    {
    var st = document.getElementById("st_ID").value;
    if ((st == null) || (st.replace(/\s/g,"") == "") || (st.lenght == 0))
    {
    if(GetContextCode(currentContextOnPage) != 6)
    $('#st_ID').unbind('keypress');
    else
    {
    var autoCompStr =  getAutoCompleteStrings();
    $("#st_ID").autocompleteArray(autoCompStr.split('+'),
    {
    delay:10,
    minChars:1,
    matchSubset:1,
    
    autoFill:false,
    maxItemsToShow:15,
    width:0
    });
    }

    document.getElementById("st_ID").focus();
    return;
    }

    var context = GetContextCode(currentContextOnPage);
    window.external.DoSearch(st, context); // <-- Error line
    }

The following are things I tried that did not yield any positive result:

• Uninstalled Visual Studio 6.0 and Crystal Reports
• Uninstalled and then reinstalled ArcGIS
• Replacing the MdDlgContent.xsl and MdDlgHelp.xsl files with the contents of ver10.zip file as described in ESRI KB38099 here.
• Updated my Java RE to the latest available this morning (Java 7 update 60 v7.0.600)
• Installed all Windows Updates for Internet Explorer
• Reset all Internet Explorer settings
• Allow execution of all scripts

Surprisingly tool windows are not affected and I am able to run tools when I double click on them from the toolbox. The screen shot below shows the Buffer tool opened and displaying properly.

How do I fix this error?

Answer 1

The error is very reminiscent, but perhaps not identical, to one that I encountered, a few years ago, and that I am not convinced has ever been resolved.

It is discussed on the ArcGIS Discussion Forums:

I've seen an error thrown by two tools (Create Raster Catalog and Clip - but which tools is probably irrelevant) on three Windows XP laptops using a procedure that works fine on three other Windows XP laptops and two Windows Vista laptops.

It occurs after the Search tool (with Tools option) is used to find a tool and then the tool is left clicked on to try and start it.

Instead of starting it the error seen is:

"Webpage Error

Contains errors that might prevent it from displaying correctly

...

Line: 14

Error: Invalid Pointer"

I recommend that you report this one to your local Esri Support.

Answer 2

Possible answer here. Worked for me. https://gisnuts.com/terra/blog/2013/01/22/arcgis-geoprocessing-tools-scripting-error

Answer 3

Since I could not get any fix for this issue, I wrote an ArcGIS extension for searching for tools. I may extend it to enable searching for other things besides tools in future.

It is available for download from Tool Finder v1.0-beta.

Answer 4

I just found the solution for this problem.

What you need to do is the following: In Windows go to: Control Panel -> Programs -> Unistall a program. Then right click on "ArcGIS for Desktop" -> Select "Uninstall/change". The ArcGIS Setup dialog will pop up. Chose the "Repair" option.

After finishing the Repair procedures the ArcGIS will be working properly!