[ SOLVED] HELP... Format accident !! What files come on a garmin 255W from the factory ?

not sure what your looking for but this is the backup image that was on my 255w when i got it.
these are the folders debug / garmin / reports and one autorun file . backing the nuvi up was one of the first things i read about joining this forum.
mike

Hi Mike

Thx for the reply. Wish I had joined this forum sooner and did as you and backed everything up...But sometimes I sit and think and sometimes I just sit. Probably what I'm looking for is what files are in the Garmin directory. I found a page on the internet that leads me to beleive I'm missing the default base map (gmapbmap.img)at least it's not on my device. I'm just wondering if there are any others files that I must have...not voices or files like that. Thx again Mike and have a good one.

That's a big file to move across the Inet, and most people don't have the file server space to upload it. It can be done peer to peer, as in 'bit torrent', or via any of the messenger programs like MSN, Yahoo! etc.

I've sent you an email, look for it in your spam folder.

I backed up mine on a dvd and letting people know if anyone needs the original files for a 205w through a bit torrent (msn or yahoo messenger), let me know

Tarpy67, she's from Iceland, and may have the Euro maps as well?

Hi Juggernaut and Thx for the help. Last night I put a SD card in my laptop to use for Memory Boost which I had intended to use on my Nuvi but it didn't seem to work well enough (I used another high speed one) and on it I found some Garmin files and one of the files is Gmapbmap.img 104.024 kb in size and made before the format accident and in another folder is the European map...I'm thinking there can only be 1 Gmapbmap.img so it can´t hurt to copy the file onto the Nuvi I can always delete it if I see no change. Thx again and have a good one.

Juggernaut one thing more. Are there any other importent files I might be needing. Thx again

Since you have recovered the map files, drop a note to Garmin's Tech Support and ask them which files you should see on your unit. They may be able to tell you what files are missing and provide you a link to download replacements. From our experience, it is mainly map files they won't replace.

Some of the files may be available through web updater. Have you tried connecting and doing an update? I did recover a couple of files for my unit that were deleted in error using just the web updater.

+1 on contacting Garmin Tech Support. They may be able to upload the files you need via your computer and the web. You won't know unless you ask.

Hi pkdmslf
I did contact their tech support by email and the guy was very willful to help me and was going to email me the file until he was told that the file was to big to email. I did try an install the BaseMap I found on the SD card and the Nuvi is much quicker now but the picture still sucks.I´m now trying to find the map on torrent if all else fails I´ll be visiting the USA later this year and I´ll take it in for repair.
Thx again and have a good one.

go buy another unit, copy the files and return the unit. That's for sure you won't miss a things. Walmart doesn't charge restocking fees but other does so make sure before you buy.

I'll email you the link to the basemap I've uploaded to my website. It includes the basemaps for NA and Europe. It may be worth a shot!

Problem fixed with the help from this forum. I got a new base map from a great guy here and now the Nuvi is working like it should. And I´ve made 2 backups of everything on it... I´ve learned my lesson. Everyone have a good one.

it's great to see people helping people. kudos to Juggernaut!!

Next time, try unformat and undelete first. It's almost guaranteed recovery since it's not the main drive on your computer.

Thats what this is all about.

I have the same problem, I left my Nuvi 255W on my childrens computers after I uploaded some maps and my 5 years old deleted everything from the main memory. Any help would be appreciated.
I 'm just trying to get the original USA Map that came with the unit.

Thanks for any help.

huifes, I'll send you the link via the contact form for the gmapbmap.img file.

My understanding is that every map has a lock code written in it. Every unit has an unlock (.unl) file with your unlock code in the same folder where detailed map is located. Lock code is generated using your unit's ID and map's FID. Even if somebody gives you the map it wouldn't work on your unit, because the code wouldn't match your unit's ID. On the same way if you simple copy a newer map version to your unit it wouldn't work because the unlock code, already present on your GPS, wouldn't match the new map's FID.

That should be the same, though. He should be able to use the webupdater to get some other files. Hopefully, he has a copy of his last map update!

What I posted is regarding the detailed maps. Base map should be OK.

Hi Huife

Hope you got my email. If you need it I do have a unlock program that you can use to unlock a map on your Nuvi. As I said in my email if you don't have a baseMap (Gmapbmap.img) your Nuvi will have poor picture quality and works very slowly like in redrawing your map. After connecting your Nuvi you can see what files are in your Garmin folder on the Nuvi using My Computer.