how to lock img files

 
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http://socialect.com/sthapit

Locking .img Files

You can't actually lock the .img files on the Nuvi. But you can at least make it give you a warning before you move or delete it.

Right click the .img file and then click on properties. At the bottom of the properties box "check" the read only box. Then click APPLY.

This will give you a warning if you try to delete the file accidentally.

Files on the SDHC card can be locked by manually sliding the LOCK switch on the card .

PS. This can be done on any file on the computer, memory cards etc.

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"Those that stop and smell the roses, must realize that once in awhile you may get a whiff of fertilizer."..copyright:HDHannah1986 -Mercedes GPS - UCONNECT 430N Chrysler T&C - Nuvi 2598- Nuni2555 - Nuvi855 - Nuvi295W - Nuvi 750 - Ique 3600

re:staphit

sthapit wrote:

Is it possible to lock img files I create to specific Garmin devices?

Seems like an odd question.

The answer to your specific question is both YES and NO, and then YES.

YES, If they are Garmin mapset images you are creating, they are already locked to specific devices via the unlock codes.

NO, ... as a casual user, I don't believe you can legally lock your non-garmin images to a particular devices. The lock/unlock technology is Garmin proprietary.

YES, there are image/map editing tools and compatabl key generators available that would allow you to lock your own non-garmin images but again, the methodology is proprietary to Garmin, not legal, and not a valid topic for discussion in this forum. It also strikes me that if you already have the map creation skills to build non Garmin map images, you would already know this.

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Frank, MA.

Picking nits

Frank508 wrote:

NO, ... as a casual user, I don't believe you can legally lock your non-garmin images to a particular devices. The lock/unlock technology is Garmin proprietary.

I'm no lawyer, but Garmin does not make laws. They can't make it illegal to lock your maps. It may be impossible without tools that have been developed by violating the license agreements on Garmin software, but that's a separate issue. Distributing files created with a particular Garmin-created format may be a copyright issue. There may be plenty of other issues involved, but the act of locking map files is not itself illegal.

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sthapit wrote:

Is it possible to lock img files I create to specific Garmin devices?

If you are talking about Custom Maps that you are creating, you might want to ask over at this Yahoo Group.

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/map_authors/

These guys are the expert geeks.

My guess (and it's only a guess) is that it's possible, but that it might be more difficult than it's worth.

RE: Locking maps

I agree with you bwarden "Garmin can't stop you from locking YOUR maps" but using "their" technology and methodology would be reverse engineering which is pretty much spelled out as being illegal in every EULA i've ever seen.

The issue in not the locking part. Locking is only half of the lock/unlock license process and a Garmin GPS can understand only how to unlock maps locked using the Garmin security process/methodology.

Anyone could potentially engineer their own unique scheme for locking their own maps but it's all for nothing when the GPS can't reverse the process to unlock them and there is only one onlock scheme the Garmin GPS implements and I'm pretty sure Garmin owns the legal rights to it.

Enough about that topic... I'm an engineer not a lawyer and I'm here for POI info, not to preach ethics smile

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Frank, MA.

You keep using that word

Frank508 wrote:

using "their" technology and methodology would be reverse engineering which is pretty much spelled out as being illegal in every EULA i've ever seen.

An EULA is only binding to someone who agrees to it. After that, violating it is not "illegal", it is simply breach of contract. I'm taking issue with the word "illegal" because it shuts down the discussion before it starts, with implication of criminal penalties.

That said, it *may* be perfectly legal, legitimate, and feasible to lock user-created maps in this way. My question is, why would one need to do that? I ask because often there's a better solution available for a problem than the first one someone requests, once the problem is well understood.

why

bwarden wrote:

My question is, why would one need to do that? I ask because often there's a better solution available for a problem than the first one someone requests, once the problem is well understood.

I basically started creating a map as a hobby but have created something of value and have spent enough time on it that I wouldn't want someone to just be able to copy it smile

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http://socialect.com/sthapit

Software to do it

There's a guy in Poland who has reverse engineered Garmin's proprietary mapping software. He offers it in versions from freeware to a big bucks ($2,800) version that alleges to do everything that the proprietary Garmin maps can do...including locking/unlocking a map to a specific device or SD card.

There is also a 53 page (!) tutorial in PDF format, on creating maps that can be loaded into Garmin devices, including how to make them "routable."

This is venturing into the terrain of digital cartography, which is a lot heavier lifting than POI compilation.

His web site is: http://www.cgpsmapper.com/

I've downloaded the freeware several times to try to get an img file to display in Mapsource, but it never seems to work for me so I generally wind up deleting it. Your mileage may vary.

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"The true measure of persons is how they treat someone who can do them absolutely no good." - Samuel Johnson

cgpsmapper can be used to

cgpsmapper can be used to lock your .img files I spent a year of my life working very hard to create a great map which I plan to sell and I want to prevent anyone from copying the map. See quote from cgpsmapper website below:

"It must be understood that author of the cGPSmapper did not implement locking mechanism by reverse engineering of any of the Garmin original software. All the work has been done basing on 3rd party software not coming originally from Garmin.
THERE IS NO RESPONSIBILITY ON THE AUTHOR SIDE FOR USING THE LOCK TECHNOLOGY – END USER DECIDE ON OWN RESPONSIBILITY TO USE IT KNOWING THAT THIS TOOL WAS NOT APPROVED BY GARMIN AND GARMIN MAY NOT ACCEPT SITUATION THAT 3RD PARTIES ARE CREATING LOCKED MAPS."