The way I do it is to use Windows Explorer. I created a folder on my C: drive called G_Backup. I then connected the Garmin to the PC, navigated to the root of the Garmin and copied all the files in the root and all subfolders to the backup folder on the PC.
I have done this with Garmin and TomTom units and it worked just fine.
Lot of times over the last few years there have been reports of the Nuvi file system being corrupted (unplugging the USB cable to soon, etc. can cause this). A full backup will have you up and running in short order. No backup and you could be the owner of an expensive 'brick'
Another reason to do a backup before doing the system software update because so far I heard some others saying that after their updates their GPS is not working well as before. Therefore do a full backup before installing new updates.
I did not have the need to restore all original files back into the GPS. Therfore I haven't do any restore yet.
To those that did a complete system restore from backup, how do you do this, do you delete all folders/files or re-format your GPS drive and copy your backup files/folders back into the GPS drive ?
When you connect your GPS via USB it will show up as another drive in Explorer or whatever utility you use to manage your files. You'll See several directories (folders) that you can simply move to your C: drive (create a folder) or to a thumb or other backup source.
Doing that will back up any custom POI files, voices, the map file and perhaps a couple of other items. It will not back up hidden files (the operating system). If upgrading firmware does happen to brick the GPS or cause undesired effects you 'might' be able to downgrade to the firmware you were using previously. That just requires loading the firmware manually rather than relying on an automatic download/upgrade.
Just use the 'search' utility on this forum. You'll find 'how to' tips galore for backing up, upgrading and other tweaks. You'll also find links to other resources where you can learn even more.
The firmware and software files are not available to copy
Mav293 wrote:
Another reason to do a backup before doing the system software update because so far I heard some others saying that after their updates their GPS is not working well as before. Therefore do a full backup before installing new updates.
Keep in mind when you make a complete copy of all the files on your unit that they are only the support files. The firmware and software files are hidden and not available to copy.
Coping all the files back on to your unit would have no effect or make any changes to the firmware or software. It would restore your data files and settings to the point when you made the copy.
I tested my 760 once by connecting the unit to my computer with the USB and selected all the files on the unit with windows explorer and erased them all. I then copied the files from the backup back on to the unit and everything was as it was when I did the original backup other than the firmware and software were the most recent update version number and not the version number when the backup was done.
-- Garmin Drive Smart 55 - Samsung Note 10 Smartphone with Google Maps & HERE Apps
Keep in mind when you make a complete copy of all the files on your unit that they are only the support files. The firmware and software files are hidden and not available to copy.
Coping all the files back on to your unit would have no effect or make any changes to the firmware or software. It would restore your data files and settings to the point when you made the copy.
I tested my 760 once by connecting the unit to my computer with the USB and selected all the files on the unit with windows explorer and erased them all. I then copied the files from the backup back on to the unit and everything was as it was when I did the original backup other than the firmware and software were the most recent update version number and not the version number when the backup was done.
Plug it into your mac or pc via the usb cable. Then copy the directory structure over.
Restored from this a couple times too.
I usually like to parse out extraneous files so I have two dirs garmin and garmin_deleted. Everytime I delete something I put it in the garmin_deleted folder. Saved me a call to garmin when I lost the voices with street names. So yes I've recovered from it too.
It's also nice to copy down your inventory, diag mode> next, Start test, Inventory. Don't think it's in a file anywhere. Though it maybe in the xml file in the garmin folder. And cross reference the names to the actual files. Sometimes they are the same other times not.
I tested my 760 once [...] selected all the files [...] and erased them all.
As far as I've been able to determine, you're the only one to have tried this here.
What you are saying makes sense. Garmins run Linux, and it is most likely the operating system that exposes a select portion of the GPSr's memory as a USB drive via a driver. The OS is probably mounted on a separate device, not readily visible via USB. (That said, there obviously must be some method to access the OS dev and boot image for them to update the firmware.)
Just wondering - did you try to reboot your GPSr while the files were deleted?
-- Netpilot - Garmin 885T - Exploring 70+ screens in Test Mode
You'll See several directories (folders) that you can simply move to your C: drive (create a folder) or to a thumb or other backup source.
Just a friendly word of warning...COPY, do NOT MOVE the files. Moving files causes them to be deleted from the source (the nuvi) which is definitely what you do NOT want to do.
I have been experimenting for a while with my 755T since the firmware update scandal from Garmin . I have been using it for so many things that I find myself backing up all the files to my WinXP PC weekly (OCD)
Anyhow...I copy ALL the files over and then make a 2nd backup of them, then I do a FAT32 Format, then I copy the largest file first back to my NUVI and then the rest.
I find my NUVI loads faster due to the lack of FRAG of the largest file first then the next largest etc.(esp with 4GB of data filling the GARMIN folder)
As for the OS data, I am avoiding it as there may be some damage or violation of code in Garmin's Arena. I am sure someone could disassemble or tweak the 3.60 Patch they gave out to understand what was applied and how to access the firmware R/W area. (Not that I would encourage it).
Wow!
Steve 620,
The way I do it is to use Windows Explorer. I created a folder on my C: drive called G_Backup. I then connected the Garmin to the PC, navigated to the root of the Garmin and copied all the files in the root and all subfolders to the backup folder on the PC.
I have done this with Garmin and TomTom units and it worked just fine.
Why Backup?
Have you ever tried or had to restore anything or do you back up as more of a JIC (just-in-case)?
Netpilot - Garmin 885T - Exploring 70+ screens in Test Mode
Backup because -
Lot of times over the last few years there have been reports of the Nuvi file system being corrupted (unplugging the USB cable to soon, etc. can cause this). A full backup will have you up and running in short order. No backup and you could be the owner of an expensive 'brick'
Nuvi 350, 760, 1695LM, 3790LMT, 2460LMT, 3597LMTHD, DriveLuxe 50LMTHD, DriveSmart 61, Garmin Drive 52, Garmin Backup Camera 40 and TomTom XXL540s.
Another reason to do a
Another reason to do a backup before doing the system software update because so far I heard some others saying that after their updates their GPS is not working well as before. Therefore do a full backup before installing new updates.
I did not have the need to restore all original files back into the GPS. Therfore I haven't do any restore yet.
To those that did a complete system restore from backup, how do you do this, do you delete all folders/files or re-format your GPS drive and copy your backup files/folders back into the GPS drive ?
Thanks
New unit on the way
I have a 780 coming (hopefully this week). I assume I should do a full backup of it prior to any upgrades or loading POI's etc.
I am curious what version maps and firmware will be coming with it.
I too would like to know the method to do a full system restore from the backup.
Move Files Drive To Drive ...But..
Steve,
When you connect your GPS via USB it will show up as another drive in Explorer or whatever utility you use to manage your files. You'll See several directories (folders) that you can simply move to your C: drive (create a folder) or to a thumb or other backup source.
Doing that will back up any custom POI files, voices, the map file and perhaps a couple of other items. It will not back up hidden files (the operating system). If upgrading firmware does happen to brick the GPS or cause undesired effects you 'might' be able to downgrade to the firmware you were using previously. That just requires loading the firmware manually rather than relying on an automatic download/upgrade.
Just use the 'search' utility on this forum. You'll find 'how to' tips galore for backing up, upgrading and other tweaks. You'll also find links to other resources where you can learn even more.
Cheers
Nuvi 760 & 660, Streetpilot, GPS III, GPS 10X
The firmware and software files are not available to copy
Another reason to do a backup before doing the system software update because so far I heard some others saying that after their updates their GPS is not working well as before. Therefore do a full backup before installing new updates.
Keep in mind when you make a complete copy of all the files on your unit that they are only the support files. The firmware and software files are hidden and not available to copy.
Coping all the files back on to your unit would have no effect or make any changes to the firmware or software. It would restore your data files and settings to the point when you made the copy.
I tested my 760 once by connecting the unit to my computer with the USB and selected all the files on the unit with windows explorer and erased them all. I then copied the files from the backup back on to the unit and everything was as it was when I did the original backup other than the firmware and software were the most recent update version number and not the version number when the backup was done.
Garmin Drive Smart 55 - Samsung Note 10 Smartphone with Google Maps & HERE Apps
Garmin Files Backup
Keep in mind when you make a complete copy of all the files on your unit that they are only the support files. The firmware and software files are hidden and not available to copy.
Coping all the files back on to your unit would have no effect or make any changes to the firmware or software. It would restore your data files and settings to the point when you made the copy.
I tested my 760 once by connecting the unit to my computer with the USB and selected all the files on the unit with windows explorer and erased them all. I then copied the files from the backup back on to the unit and everything was as it was when I did the original backup other than the firmware and software were the most recent update version number and not the version number when the backup was done.
Great info. Thanks
*** Garmin eTrex, Garmin Nuvi 680, Garmin Nuvi 1390T & Garmin Edge 705 ***
.
Plug it into your mac or pc via the usb cable. Then copy the directory structure over.
Restored from this a couple times too.
I usually like to parse out extraneous files so I have two dirs garmin and garmin_deleted. Everytime I delete something I put it in the garmin_deleted folder. Saved me a call to garmin when I lost the voices with street names. So yes I've recovered from it too.
It's also nice to copy down your inventory, diag mode> next, Start test, Inventory. Don't think it's in a file anywhere. Though it maybe in the xml file in the garmin folder. And cross reference the names to the actual files. Sometimes they are the same other times not.
Gutsy move...
I tested my 760 once [...] selected all the files [...] and erased them all.
As far as I've been able to determine, you're the only one to have tried this here.
What you are saying makes sense. Garmins run Linux, and it is most likely the operating system that exposes a select portion of the GPSr's memory as a USB drive via a driver. The OS is probably mounted on a separate device, not readily visible via USB. (That said, there obviously must be some method to access the OS dev and boot image for them to update the firmware.)
Just wondering - did you try to reboot your GPSr while the files were deleted?
Netpilot - Garmin 885T - Exploring 70+ screens in Test Mode
Not all models
Garmins run Linux,
Actually only a few Nuvi models run Linux. The 8XX and 5000 series do but I don't think any of the others do.
Nuvi 350, 760, 1695LM, 3790LMT, 2460LMT, 3597LMTHD, DriveLuxe 50LMTHD, DriveSmart 61, Garmin Drive 52, Garmin Backup Camera 40 and TomTom XXL540s.
My bad...
Actually only a few Nuvi models run Linux. The 8XX and 5000 series do but I don't think any of the others do.
Sorry. I'm a relative noob with an 885T. I shouldn't have made such a broad assumption.
Netpilot - Garmin 885T - Exploring 70+ screens in Test Mode
COPY, do not move...
You'll See several directories (folders) that you can simply move to your C: drive (create a folder) or to a thumb or other backup source.
Just a friendly word of warning...COPY, do NOT MOVE the files. Moving files causes them to be deleted from the source (the nuvi) which is definitely what you do NOT want to do.
nuvi 760, nuvi 765T, nuvi 855, nuvi 3790LMT, nuvi 3490LMT - SoCal area
Format
I have been experimenting for a while with my 755T since the firmware update scandal from Garmin
. I have been using it for so many things that I find myself backing up all the files to my WinXP PC weekly (OCD)
Anyhow...I copy ALL the files over and then make a 2nd backup of them, then I do a FAT32 Format, then I copy the largest file first back to my NUVI and then the rest.
I find my NUVI loads faster due to the lack of FRAG of the largest file first then the next largest etc.(esp with 4GB of data filling the GARMIN folder)
As for the OS data, I am avoiding it as there may be some damage or violation of code in Garmin's Arena. I am sure someone could disassemble or tweak the 3.60 Patch they gave out to understand what was applied and how to access the firmware R/W area. (Not that I would encourage it).
Cheers!
Nuvi 755T,1350(3),265W,3760,2595(2),42,250,2555