Nuvi 660 Can't Load Maps

I suggest you try putting the map file here:

F:\Garmin\

(Might not be F:, use the drive letter you get when putting the SDHC card into your computer)

Then rename the image file to be

gmapsupp.img

Next, remove the SDHC card from your computer and put it into the Nuvi and power up the nuvi.

Howard

Howard
Thanks for yor suggestion, however I've already tried that as indicated in my post.
"I thought by adding the original map to an SD card and renaming it gmapsupp.img it would boot, didn't work, still looking for map on the internal ROM memory."

The Nuvi will not read the SD card until after the initial boot which it cannot do.
Even if I insert the card while in the pre-boot mode
it won't read it. If I could get Windows to recognize the drive I can fix the problem.

If the 660 is "Off" and you plug in the USB cable, does Windows Explorer or My Computer recognize the 660 as a "Drive" after it powers up? Can you see the files on the 660?

Sorry to say, but it appears your unit is "bricked" - meaning it is useless except as a paperweight.

If your computer can not access files on the Nuvi, then I think you can't do anything.

You can reload firmware, copy maps, or anything.

Earlier this year I purchased a Garmin refurbished Nuvi 750 from www.newegg.com and also purchased a bean-bag mount and case from www.amazon.com

The refurbished Nuvi 750 would not work right in the cradle - paid to mail it back to newegg.com who sent me another one.

So, for under $100 I got a like-new Nuvi 750 with all the accessories I wanted.

There might be even better deals around now that the 2012 nuvi models have been announced.

Howard

The one thing the OP could do is ask on his thread on GPSPassion.com about this problem for "cure" firmware for the 660. The "cure" firmware is nothing more than the existing nüvi firmware with certain extensions, e.g. GPI, IMG, GPX, edited so that when the unit boots it doesn't try to load the file that caused the corruption in the first place. Once the unit is successfully loaded up, the OP can then delete the offending map file, reload the original firmware, and use the unit again.

That said, I do agree that some good deals could be had on newer nüvi units.

To the OP: in reference to the crossposting on GPSPassion.com, if you are NOT the same person in both instances, then I apologize.

@HowardZ
I don't like any of the new Nuvi units since my eyes are not so good as they once were. My wife has a 765T and I hate it. Friends also have newer units and I don't like any of them, it seems the 660 shows a more detailed map and I can read the street names while driving. The newer units display a smaller font and I'm unable to read. I want the 660 to work again. I don't need all the bells & whistles of the newer units.

@Strephon_Alkhalikoi
No apology needed, that was my post on GPSPassion.
I did get a response but it's not a cure for my unit.
There is a post with 14 pages to correct the problem on the 2X units but not the 660. The same poster that replied to my post is the one that supplied the files for the 2X units. The man knows his stuff and has helped many to fix their units. I need to find a link that provides directions for the 660 hack to get it to boot.
I have backed up all the Garmin files on my computer to include the gupdate.gcd file. I also have the firmware in rgn files for V 4.10 and the current V4.90. What I need are guidelines for the 660 specific, to create the hack file and put on SD card to get it to complete the boot process so Windows will recognize.

As soon as I can Windows to recognize the drive I can fix it.

Sadly Garmin won't fix the 660's any longer so my options are limited.

I am not certain that this would have fixed your problem.... But I often transfer large files, and three years ago I abandoned IE for Firefox as Firefox is less apt to corrupt large files compared to IE.... Especially large Zip Files...

I hope you encounter a fix for your 660... I have one too, and it's still going strong....

However, when I update maps, I use the Garmin program I don't do file copy....

Actually the map file transfer was from an SD card so Internet Explorer did not come into play.

I won't give up on this, posted in several forums and hopefully someone will come up with a solution.

I might be wrong, but I think if you can not get a drive letter on your computer pointing to the Nuvi's internal memory, that you can't update firmware, copy files, or anything else.

Your computer can't see the Nuvi!

Or course you can always try.
I might be wrong.

I am also not aware of any automated method to update firmware or copy files via a SDHC card.

Howard

P.S. Amazon.com sells used nuvi 660s

http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-4-3-Inch-Bluetooth-Navigator-Bi...

Assuming the GPS is not dead, this sometimes happens (usb drive not showing up in Explorer) when Windows assigns a drive letter to another device and won't let go. Try this.

Attach the gps to usb, wait for a minute for it to get into the system, then open Disk Management console (You need to be admin). The GPS drive will most likely show up here, without being assigned a drive letter. Rightclick the drive and assign a drive letter. It will show up in explorer.

To open Disk Management console. Right Click My Computer and select "manage". Then click "Disk Management" under "Storage" sub section in the left pane of Computer Management Console. After you click "Disk Management" you will see your hard and usb drives on the right side. If you find a drive that does not have a drive letter assigned to it, right click and assign any drive letter.

You mentioned Sharcnet in you opening post. His schedule often shows as full, so I am not surprised.

However, Jim, who runs Sharcnet is a member of The POI-Factory. Here is the link to his user profile. Click on the Contact tab and send him a personal message.

http://www.poi-factory.com/user/99265

Include a link to this topic so he can read about your problem. Maybe he can help. He fixed my 660, but mine was a parts problem.

It's worth a try.

@Gary A
Thanks for Jim's sharcnet link but I've already posted on the sharncnet forum. Jim had answered me last night but didn't say he could fix. I sent follow up and asked him if he could do it but he hasn't replied yet. I sure hope he can do it since I have faith in his company and I am becoming weary of seeking a solution.
You can read about it here:
http://www.sharc.net/discus/messages/6/457.html?1315227843

@HowardZ
Amazon's vendors price of 125.00 to buy a used unit is quite high, mine is in mint condition with touchscreen working perfectly and battery still very
strong. I know what I have that's why I'm adamant in fixing mine. I do appreciate the effort you made in looking for a replacement.

@sanjeevnuts
Thanks for your suggestion but that won't work.
The Nuvi needs to complete the map loading boot to be recognized by Windows.
Here's a quote from Jim at Sharcnet
"The reason why your unit isn't recognized by the PC is because it has to boot to the main menu before the USB subroutines are accessed."

I would wait for Jim to reply. He may be about your only hope.

Gary A,
I agree Jim might be the only hope.
I'm inclined to believe he won't do it since he didn't offer in his post to me, but I've been wrong many times in the past.

I will patiently wait for his reply, in the interim I will continue to search for a solution.

I was able to fix the stuck loading map screen and have windows Explorer recognize the drive.
I received instructions from another forum to flash the firmware while in the pre-boot mode.

The NUVI now functions perfectly as if nothing ever happened.
I also discovered there is no way you can have any repair done by putting files on an SD card, it will never reach that point to read them.

I want to thank all that have responded to my post and attmempted to help.

I am so HAPPY, this GPS has some very sentimental value to me and it was hard to accept I might lose it.

@pwohlrab
Far too often posters with problems that get resolved never inform the forum members.
That to me is being selfish. At least make an effort to let others know that those who replied did not waste their time.

If just one person can learn from my misfortune, that would put a smile on my face.

Hello,

I have the exact same problem as you had on your Garmin Device. I searched all corners on the web and I was lead to your post. I searched how to flash the firmware and I'm still unsure how this is done.

The unit is a Garmin 250w, and I have access to Mac and PCs and can have admin access as well. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Welcome to The Factory. I'm not quite clear as to whose post you're responding to, but the best way to check for device updates including firmware, is to use WebUpdater. Note that it's available for Macs and PCs:

http://www8.garmin.com/products/webupdater/howtoinstall.jsp

Once it's installed, connect your nuvi to your computer and run WebUpdater.

Hello,

I have the exact same problem as you had on your Garmin Device. I searched all corners on the web and I was lead to your post. I searched how to flash the firmware and I'm still unsure how this is done.

The unit is a Garmin 250w, and I have access to Mac and PCs and can have admin access as well. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Hello,

sorry for the repeated messages,

I have the exact same problem as you had on your Garmin Device. I searched all corners on the web and I was lead to your post. I searched how to flash the firmware and I'm still unsure how this is done.

The unit is a Garmin 250w, and I have access to Mac and PCs and can have admin access as well. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Did you get it to work?

I was finished downloading the new maps from Garmin, and it was installing them when it became disconnected from my laptop and the file is corrupt. Like you, it wont read the SD card and my computer cant see it or else I can wipe the garmin and reinstall from my backup on the laptop.

Let me know!