Unstable USB connection

 

Whenever I connect my Nuvi 765t to the computer (Windows XP SP3) by USB port, I have to spend 15-20 minutes trying to get it to work. Eventually it works, but usually after a number of connects/disconnects. When the cable is connected, the device restarts with the computer logo on the black screen, the progress bar gets to the end, then it waits for a while; at this point it should appear in "My Computer" as two devices - the GPS and SD card drive; this however does not happen, and after several more seconds of wait, Nuvi proceeds to the normal user interface, loads the maps etc. In Device Manager it appears as "unknown device". I repeat this process several times in various combinations (restarting computer, changing USB slot, removing device from device manager etc.), and at some point it works. Even when it does, it's somehow not stable, and sometimes will restart after several minutes. Sometimes it works OK for long time, but it's always exercise in frustration. Is anybody familiar with this behavior? I tried 2 different cables, which both work A-OK with other USB devices.

did you

try a different cable?

--
Illiterate? Write for free help.

.

If you haven't already done so, plug the unit into a USB slot that is NOT on a hub or a slot on a keyboard. These slots are know to cause issues with the higher current USB devices. Instead, plug into a USB slot that is directly on the PC's mainboard, usually at the back of the PC.

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nuvi 760, nuvi 765T, nuvi 855, nuvi 3790LMT, nuvi 3490LMT - SoCal area

have you

tried different ports with different cables?

You indicate you have tried different cables and different cables but maybe (I'll admit it is unlikely) you have both a flaky port and a flaky cable.

Also, when you look at the drives that show up in explorer, what do you see? I am wondering if a previous connect of the Nuvi was not correctly removed (I have had instances in the past where a physically disconnected drive still showed up in explorer)

There is a tool that can help you check drives. It is portable freeware meaning it does not have to be installed and can run from the directory in which it resides. Look at
http://www.portablefreeware.com/index.php?q=%22drive+manager...

About those cables...

When/if you find a bad cable, PLEASE do something to mark it bad.

Tying it in a knot is a good start.

Cutting off at least one end helps.

Cutting off both ends is better.

Tying it in a knot, cutting off both ends, and cutting the remains into small chunks is better.

Doing this in front of other cables lets them know who's boss, and what will happen to them if they misbehave.

And, it lessens the chance that bad cable will get to fool someone else.

(This behaviour has a long history in the electronics business. Google "Widlarize" -- in honor of one of the greats, Bob Widlar.)

--
Nuvi 2460, 680, DATUM Tymserve 2100, Trimble Thunderbolt, Ham radio, Macintosh, Linux, Windows

Bad USB Connection

I had that happen to my 1490 and I called Garmin. They exchanged it for another. Give tech support a call.

Bad Cable

k6rtm wrote:

When/if you find a bad cable, PLEASE do something to mark it bad.

Tying it in a knot is a good start.

Cutting off at least one end helps.

Cutting off both ends is better.

Tying it in a knot, cutting off both ends, and cutting the remains into small chunks is better.

Doing this in front of other cables lets them know who's boss, and what will happen to them if they misbehave.

And, it lessens the chance that bad cable will get to fool someone else.

(This behaviour has a long history in the electronics business. Google "Widlarize" -- in honor of one of the greats, Bob Widlar.)

Spoken like someone who has gotten burned by a bad cable... once or twice. laugh out loud laugh out loud laugh out loud laugh out loud

--
Tampa, FL - Garmin nüvi 660 (Software Ver 4.90), 2021.20 CN NA NT maps | Magellan Meridian Gold

Bad cables...

Gary A wrote:

Spoken like someone who has gotten burned by a bad cable... once or twice. laugh out loud laugh out loud laugh out loud laugh out loud

USB cables are one thing, but bad cables in a lab environment are really, really nasty.

Good cables can be expensive -- bad cables can be even more expensive!

That's why it's important when you suspect a cable, to test it, and if it's bad, make sure it won't bite someone else -- the person who's sanity you save may be the one you see in the mirror in the morning...

And yeah, I've been there!

--
Nuvi 2460, 680, DATUM Tymserve 2100, Trimble Thunderbolt, Ham radio, Macintosh, Linux, Windows

Me Too

k6rtm wrote:
Gary A wrote:

Spoken like someone who has gotten burned by a bad cable... once or twice. laugh out loud laugh out loud laugh out loud laugh out loud

USB cables are one thing, but bad cables in a lab environment are really, really nasty.

Good cables can be expensive -- bad cables can be even more expensive!

That's why it's important when you suspect a cable, to test it, and if it's bad, make sure it won't bite someone else -- the person who's sanity you save may be the one you see in the mirror in the morning...

And yeah, I've been there!

I've been there, too. Usually a cable is the last thing you suspect but can end up costing a huge amount of wasted time. When you finally figure out it IS the cable, it makes you want to scream and throw something.

Your suggested destruction method is appropriate, IMO. wink laugh out loud I don't ever want to see that cable again after what it did to me.

--
Tampa, FL - Garmin nüvi 660 (Software Ver 4.90), 2021.20 CN NA NT maps | Magellan Meridian Gold

Drivers

Make sure you have the latest version of Garmin USB drivers

https://support.garmin.com/support/searchSupport/case.faces?caseId={506f5510-5d85-11dd-d5b4-000000000000}

--
Garmin Nuvi 1490LMT, Nuvi 750, Nuvi 255LT

Garmin Drivers

I will second that one. Garmin Drivers should be updated.

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JG - Nuvi 2460

I have this same issue with

I have this same issue with one of my usb hubs...this may sound stupid but I find that when I install a device via usb, and choose which usb port to use...if I do an update or anything else with this device, I tend to use the exact same usb port..otherwise I get that annoying unable to recognize usb connection error.

I get this on my blackberry, and my garmin. It eventually does work for me though. For my garmin the issue is with checking for updates. I find that I have to be logged on to dashboard for it to work...

odd stuff

--
GARMIN nuvi2350LMT...

What am I

MAC06 wrote:

Make sure you have the latest version of Garmin USB drivers

https://support.garmin.com/support/searchSupport/case.faces?caseId={506f5510-5d85-11dd-d5b4-000000000000}

What am I missing? I have 5 Nuvi's and have never, as far as I can remember, required Garmin USB drivers on my PC. I just plug these units into a USB port and they work. On the other hand it's been awhile since I used XP, so maybe that's the difference, although my 350 goes back to 2005.

--
Nuvi 350, 760, 1695LM, 3790LMT, 2460LMT, 3597LMTHD, DriveLuxe 50LMTHD, DriveSmart 61, Garmin Drive 52, Garmin Backup Camera 40 and TomTom XXL540s.

Check your PC

t923347 wrote:
MAC06 wrote:

Make sure you have the latest version of Garmin USB drivers

https://support.garmin.com/support/searchSupport/case.faces?caseId={506f5510-5d85-11dd-d5b4-000000000000}

What am I missing? I have 5 Nuvi's and have never, as far as I can remember, required Garmin USB drivers on my PC. I just plug these units into a USB port and they work. On the other hand it's been awhile since I used XP, so maybe that's the difference, although my 350 goes back to 2005.

Check your PC's installed devices in Control Panel (Add & Remove Programs --or-- Programs and Features). More than likely, when your first nuvi connected to your computer, the USB drivers were installed. My Windows 7 PC has two sets of Garmin USB Drivers (v.1.0 and 2.3) installed and I never knowingly had to install or even approve the installation.

Yes

Yes, there is a listing there for the Garmin drivers. Thanks.

--
Nuvi 350, 760, 1695LM, 3790LMT, 2460LMT, 3597LMTHD, DriveLuxe 50LMTHD, DriveSmart 61, Garmin Drive 52, Garmin Backup Camera 40 and TomTom XXL540s.

I have no USB drivers

I'm running XP SP3 and there are no USB drivers installed under add/remove. The PC recognizes all 3 of my Nuvi's and SD cards on the units and I can access the files.

I use Acronis Drive Image to which I have an image exclusively for Garmin whenever I need to do updating. When I load the Garmin image it does have the USB drivers installed there. I'm not sure which program installed the drivers, could have been Mapsource or BaseCamp, I suspect it was Mapsource.

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Nuvi 2460LMT 2 Units

Are you talking add/remove

Are you talking add/remove programs or device manager?

Drivers

nrbovee wrote:

Are you talking add/remove programs or device manager?

Yes I'm talking add/remove, there are no Garmin USB drivers listed there.

In device manager all the Nuvi's appear when connected, so XP does not require any Garmin drivers to recognize Garmin units.

--
Nuvi 2460LMT 2 Units

Garmin USB drivers are listed

Garmin USB drivers are listed in my add and remove for my XP sp3 laptop. I do recall them being installed afew years ago but not what program required it or if it was for just connecting the nuvi.

EDIT: I removed the drivers and was still able to connect the nuvi to the computer. I am not sure what they are/were for.

--
Nuvi 2460LMT.

Do I need to install Garmin USB drivers

Garmin Communicator plugin.

Do I need to install Garmin USB drivers for the plugin to work with my device?

In most cases, you will not need to install separate USB drivers for the plugin to detect your device. The required USB drivers are installed with the plugin.

However, a few Garmin devices do require separate USB drivers for the plugin to work. And, if the plugin is installed in Internet Explorer using ActiveX, or as a Firefox plugin, the USB drivers are not included. If the test page indicates that the plugin is successfully installed, but it is not detecting your device, try downloading and installing the latest USB drivers.

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Nuvi 2460LMT

USB search

You need to explore/search to your system32 folder / Driver Cache folder manually using the advanced tab in the windows find hardware wizard. Just find the path to that folder wherethe Garmin / USB drivers are and save it as a place for your computer to search. If you let it find the driver automatically it may take forever, if ever.

It was the cable after all

Thanks everyone, indeed it was the cable and cable only. Even though I tried several, apparently there are more bad ones than good ones; or maybe Garmin circuitry is more picky than most other electronics, because as I said these cables do work without a slightest problem with cameras and other devices, including Tomtom, by the way. So I purchased yet another cable that is specifically for Garmin, and indeed it did the trick :

USB Data Cable for Garmin nuvi 550 755T 765T 775T 1200
http://www.ebay.com/itm/140628864123

With this cable, the problem has disappeared immediately and did not show up once.

the wire inside

vrapp wrote:

Thanks everyone, indeed it was the cable and cable only. Even though I tried several, apparently there are more bad ones than good ones; or maybe Garmin circuitry is more picky than most other electronics, because as I said these cables do work without a slightest problem with cameras and other devices, including Tomtom, by the way. So I purchased yet another cable that is specifically for Garmin, and indeed it did the trick :

USB Data Cable for Garmin nuvi 550 755T 765T 775T 1200
http://www.ebay.com/itm/140628864123

With this cable, the problem has disappeared immediately and did not show up once.

The size or gauge of the wires inside the able can also make a BIG difference. A cable that works well with one device but not another may have too much loss to support the demands of the connected device. Thin cables won't pass as much power as the thicker ones do because there is less wire. Now, I could get more technical, but suffice it to say that not all cables are constructed equally.

--
Illiterate? Write for free help.

Perfect!

k6rtm wrote:

When/if you find a bad cable, PLEASE do something to mark it bad.

Tying it in a knot is a good start.

Cutting off at least one end helps.

Cutting off both ends is better.

Tying it in a knot, cutting off both ends, and cutting the remains into small chunks is better.

Doing this in front of other cables lets them know who's boss, and what will happen to them if they misbehave.

And, it lessens the chance that bad cable will get to fool someone else.

(This behaviour has a long history in the electronics business. Google "Widlarize" -- in honor of one of the greats, Bob Widlar.)

Oh yeah that is the way to show em!

We don't need no stinkin' cables....

When Garmin catches up with everything else in the world, perhaps they will move the updates to the cloud and be done with these faulty cables rolleyes

--
Garmin Nuvi 1490LMT, Nuvi 750, Nuvi 255LT

Cloud?

MAC06 wrote:

When Garmin catches up with everything else in the world, perhaps they will move the updates to the cloud and be done with these faulty cables rolleyes

I do not understand how the GPS will attach to the cloud for updates?

~

jgermann wrote:
MAC06 wrote:

When Garmin catches up with everything else in the world, perhaps they will move the updates to the cloud and be done with these faulty cables rolleyes

I do not understand how the GPS will attach to the cloud for updates?

Bluetooth data to a computer to share it's internet, or same to a cell phone... or a stand-alone GPSr/PND that has cellular data connection all its own... or one with wifi...

--
*Keith* MacBook Pro *wifi iPad(2012) w/BadElf GPS & iPhone6 + Navigon*

Sorry, question was not complete

kch50428 wrote:
jgermann wrote:

I do not understand how the GPS will attach to the cloud for updates?

Bluetooth data to a computer to share it's internet, or same to a cell phone... or a stand-alone GPSr/PND that has cellular data connection all its own... or one with wifi...

Agreed on the hardware possibilities. But I was also thinking about the software needed.

My 765T has bluetooth so I realize it will pair with my phone. However, the 765T does not have a browser.

Is there some Garmin that now is able to connect to www.garmin.com (thru whatever "hot spot") and then navigate the site?

I think there are manufacturers that make a unit (perhaps for commercial trucks) that have GPS capability as well as internet connectivity. I do not know if they have the ability to get new maps from the internet.

Bluetooth

kch50428 wrote:
jgermann wrote:
MAC06 wrote:

When Garmin catches up with everything else in the world, perhaps they will move the updates to the cloud and be done with these faulty cables rolleyes

I do not understand how the GPS will attach to the cloud for updates?

Bluetooth data to a computer to share it's internet, or same to a cell phone... or a stand-alone GPSr/PND that has cellular data connection all its own... or one with wifi...

I can see it now.

"I was updating my firmware to V73.42 when my kid walked by with his Bluetooth headphones and glitched my NUVI7915's connection. Now my NUVI is a brick, won't even turn on."

Think I'll stick with a USB connection to my computer/Internet.

Remember MSNdirect?

jgermann wrote:
MAC06 wrote:

When Garmin catches up with everything else in the world, perhaps they will move the updates to the cloud and be done with these faulty cables rolleyes

I do not understand how the GPS will attach to the cloud for updates?

I guess it was just my wishful thinking. When MSN Direct was alive, I could send a route to my nuvi 750 where ever it was wirelessly. (This was a nice feature when my wife was using the GPS and I was home. I could send her coordinates right to the GPS.)

With that being said, Garmin has enough issues with the wired updates. I can see it now when I'm updating wirelessly...lost satellite reception.

--
Garmin Nuvi 1490LMT, Nuvi 750, Nuvi 255LT

Knock on wood. I have not

Knock on wood. I have not had a problem with this.

Unstable USB

I seem to have a problem more often than not using the USB cable.

It looks like a proprietary cable and I've tried a regular cable and it will not work.

If I switch to a Garmin cable that has not been used, it works.

So it seems like the cable somehow wears out.