3590 Back-up

I don't have any of the newer models but I do recall discussions here about having to change a setting in the GPS to get the drive to appear and act like a normal drive in Windows. I'm just having a hard time trying to search for any of the posts. Hang in there a little, someone will come up with the post soon I'm sure.

Some of us with our dedicated MP3 players have this problem, but unlike the GPS there is no setting that can be changed. Instead we have to change the driver.

The GPS by default is set to MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) and needs to be changed in the settings to UMS (USB Mass Storage). With MTP the System directory is hidden and cannot be uncovered. UMS is just like a hard drive. The GPS may name rename UMS as MSC but both mean the same thing.

That is the search term I was looking for. You will find a few threads on it here. One of the threads directs you to this post for step-by-step instructions on how to change it on your GPS.

https://forums.garmin.com/showthread.php?p=118431

Thank's a million for a speedy and helpful advice!
I thought it might be something to do with the way it's showing up in windows, but couldn't figure out about it!

Will it remain that way until you change it back? Or is it one of those things that will change for one cycle and then reset back to normal?

I believe it stays unless you do a hard reset.

Good for you for realizing that a complete backup is essential.

Hope others reading this post will decide to do a backup if they have not already done so.

You have three options. MTP, Mass Storage, and Mass Storage Single Session I believe. Change it to the second option (w/o Single Session) and it will remain. I had to do it with my 3490LMT.

I have the same question with my new gps. No need to create the new thread. Thanks again.

Unfortunately this method didn't work for me and my 3590. I do enter the diag setup, but there is no options when it comes to the USB connection type. I've tried time and time again. It's either that they have disabled that option, or that I'm severely out of touch with my electronics.

Once in the Diag Screen, did you scroll down to see if their was a listing for MTP Settings? If so, it's in there.

Thanks for a quick reply Preroll!

When i enter the diag screen, i see a listing for mount type, but it won't let me scroll down to it, or scroll down to anything (no response when i press up or down button). If i press & holds the up / down button, the screen brightness changes.

That's the wrong screen. That's the one where you hold the battery icon. Go to the main screen which is "Where To? and View Map" and then click the Volume button below. Once you see the Master Volume page, hold your finger in the upper right corner for about 5-6 seconds and you will see the Diagnostics Page. Scroll down one page and you will see the MTP Settings. Set it to Mass Storage (not Single Session - so that it stays that way).

THANKS A MILLION Preroll!
Worked like a charm

I have 2450LM. At Diagnostics Page, I see:
Clear all user data
Shutdown Causes
Developer Info
Developer Test
Diagnostics Logging
Demo Mode

I didn't see MTP Setting. Tried to go into the list above still no luck

Did you Arrow down to see additional pages?

My 3490 (should be approx the same as yours)lists:

Clear all user data
Shutdown Causes
Developer Info
Developer Tests
Diagnostic Logging
Demo Mode
CSM Settings
MTP Settings
Developer GPS Tools

First page:

Clear all user data
Shutdown Causes
Developer Info
Developer Tests

Then arrow on second page shows:

Developer Info
Developer Tests
Diagnostic Logging
Demo Mode

?????

No problem. I know this would work for the 34xx and 35xx series but I guess the firmware is a bit different for the 24xx series as others have noted.

just confirming this works on the new 3590. on the 3590 though, the option to change to mass storage is on the bottom of the list which is not visible unless you scroll down. this is different than the other older garmin units we have.

thank you to the posters above and to poi factory forums for this info. now i am going to make a complete backup of my 3590. thanks!

I'm a newbe and thought I was backing up by just copying the files from explorer........

I also figured I was doing wrong as I could never seem to see the .system files even though I had everything enabled for my hidden files

This may be a dumb question, but do I need to change the setting back to ??? (something) after I change it to mass storage and want to use the gps again?

Thanks

You need to set more Folder Options than just unhiding hidden files. You also need to unhide system files (even though Microsoft recommends otherwise) and show extensions for all file types. The main reason folks with a .system folder don't see it is that they've not unhidden the system files in Folder Options. Then again, maybe you did all this and it worked, and your only question is the one below. If so, ignore what's above

Re: mass storage. As I understand these new nuvis, you may have a choice of a one-time or permanent mass storage mode. If you choose the one-time, your next reboot will have changed it back. In any event, you can keep the nuvi in mass storage mode and not change it back after a backup. Just remember that critical files will be displayed in mass storage mode so you need to be cautious not to accidentally delete or rename some essential file. Personally, I'd switch a nuvi of mine to mass storage and keep it there.

Deleted -posted in Error

Thanks Craig.....I didn't have the show system files set correctly.

Now can I just do a copy and paste to my hard drive? Or should I use Acronis to copy the partition?

For what it's worth, I do copy and paste. There's another recent thread here suggesting that some folks create an ISO image of their nuvi. Maybe others have some more suggestions.

I now have two desktop.ini files on my desktop....can I delete those?

http://ask-leo.com/why_do_i_have_two_desktopini_files_on_my_...

I'd like to thank everyone for your patience and all of your help. Very informative!

Thanks for the info

When I do a copy and paste there is one file my system does not seem to like because it has a wierd symbol in it. It goes something like this:

sys_log1_1(symbol)H!!.bin

any ideas?