Garmin Express software

Interesting! I've yet to see any such an update to a Garmin and owned one for over 6 years now - maybe the Garmin Express has changed Garmin's approach to updated.

Garmin has updated the Type M chipset via Webupdater and/or myDashboard in the past. Here is the webpage:

http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=3733

Webupdater, Mapupdater or Gamin Express.

All different so you can't say which is "better"

WebUpdater updates all GPS software except maps

MapUpdater updates ONLY maps

Garmin Express updates both all GPS software AND maps.

So really the only one that will do everything to update your GPS is Garmin Express but it's so new that we really don't know yet how well it's going to handle map updates.

Quite true. I've installed it (GE) for that very purpose. If it fails, then I'll go to MyGarmin, and do it the old way.

I'll give it a fair chance. If it works, then it saves a lot of hassle with updates for 2 devices. No more two downloads. Sweet.

I had never seen this before either. Didn't seem to have any adverse effects, but have not noticed any appreciably difference in locating/acquiring satellites.

I had never seen this before either. Didn't seem to have any adverse effects, but have not noticed any appreciably difference in locating/acquiring satellites.

Looked at my last backup and did not include a system directory - so did the show hidden files and display protected system files - still am unable to see the 'system' file directory on my Garmin 2595. Any help?

I don't have a 2595 but fully expect that there is a folder called .System (not just system) since the newer nuvi models seem to be going this way now. Even when you do as instructed below, when viewing a folder or files and subfolders, the hidden and system files will look a smidge lighter in color than the nonsystem/nonhidden files/folders as an indication to you to be cautious about tinkering inside these important files and folders.

Assuming you're a Windows user, there are three default Folder Options that you should change:

1) Select "Show hidden files, folders and drives"
2) Uncheck "Hide extensions for known file types"
3) Uncheck "Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)"

If you're not seeing your .System folder, my guess is that you still need to do #3, above. I've pretty much done all three of the above when I get a new computer and leave them modified.

Be sure to look for .System on the nuvi, not on a past computer backup. Once you've done a new backup including the .System, you should be able to view the folder and files on your computer backup as well.

Shout back with your results. Good luck.

FYI ...,

Received a message from the icon in the taskbar this morning the there was an update for the zumo 665. It turned out to be a new FW. Express did the update just fine, prompting for a Backup first, but after updating the zumo, disconnecting and reconnecting it to the PC Express did not see that the FW update completed.

I removed the zumo from Express on the "Settings" page, again Express prompted if I wanted to keep the zumo's backups, I did, and then reinstalled the zumo and then Express recognized that the FW was up to date.

So 1 little hiccup so far.

I attached my Nikon camera to the usb. Express looked at it and crashed. Stupid program.

Did all three - still no '.system' or 'system' directory ... maybe the 2595 does not have it?

Yes, indeed, that sounds likely. We now need another 2595 person to pipe in and confirm this.

There is one thing you could check on your own. Do you see the enormous gmapprom.img file and a large .jcv file?

On my 2460, the map image file and junction file are in subfolders under the .System folder. If you see these large files, then it is likely that your nuvi has no .System. If you can't find these files (meaning also that they're not being backed up when you do computer backups of your nuvi), then I still suspect you have a non-seen folder.

Oh wait! Your nuvi is one that uses MTP:

https://support.garmin.com/support/searchSupport/case.faces?...

Have you switched from MTP mode to Mass Storage mode? If not, you also should get into your nuvi's semi-hidden menus and convert to MS mode! A search here at The Factory should bring up a few threads with directions on finding the hidden nuvi menu and switching from MTP to MS. Here's one:

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/38437

Same problem when updating my Montana 650 FW. Had to remove the unit from GE and reinstall it.

Thank! Switching to Mass Storage revealed the elusive ".system" folder.

Appreciate your help!

2.1.4 is now out.

It will reset the Tray start up, and the Core services in services.msc.

I have a nuvi 765t. I followed the steps above but could not find the .system folder. I have 27 itmes in my Garmin nuvi folder: I found folders which include: Diag, ExtData, GPX, Help, JCV, LEX_PKG, POI, RemoteSW, Screenshot, Text, Vehicle, Voice and files, which include: fs_image.xer, GaqrminDevise.xml,GUPDATE.GCD, Locales.xml, nuvi_drive.ico, and files with different extensions: gmap3d.***, gmapbmap.***, gmapprom.***, gmaptz.***. I don't want to do anything to mess up my nuvi so I would appreciate any help with learning how to backup my nuvi. Thank you.

You don't have a .System folder. The 765 never had one.

How do I make a backup? thanks.

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/30394

Or use Express and click on Backup.

I thought Garmin Express only backed up user data. Does it do a total nuvi backup?

On my 1350 it backs up the .system (only the sqlite folder), GPX (archive folder and a couple gpx files), and the "reports" folder (mileage).

It is not a full back up.

On the 765 all you need to do is to copy all the files and folders on the Nuvi to a backup folder on your computer. It' simply a copy and paste as there are no hidden files or folders on these old devices.

Be prepared to have this take some time as I believe that the 7xx series was still using USB 1.1 so the transfer of data from the Nuvi to your computer will not be fast.

As pwohlrab states above, using Garmin Express to backup your Nuvi does not backup ALL of the files on the device.

Just to confirm what I need to do is copy all 27 items that I mentioned in my previous post and paste them in a backup folder. And if I need to reinstall, just copy and paste them back into the Nuvi folder. Is that correct?

Maintain the file structure in your backup folder that exists on the Nuvi. In other words, from the root of the Nuvi drive select ALL files and folders and copy them to a backup folder.

One other thing you can do is once the copy is completed go to the GPX folder in the backup folder and change the name of the current.gpx file to temp.gpx or current1.gpx. This is the only way that you can recover your favorites if the need arises. Simply placing the current.gpx file back on the Nuvi will not work.

Still on the fence with this software. I really don't see any real reason to use it.

I find it useful, but have been getting some false notices of updates for my device. Nothing to make me not to want to use it

The Windows version is now 2.1.5

I've never seen any indication of a changelog IDing issues fixed or added. If anyone can direct us to one for Garmin Express, I'd appreciate it, too. Are you listening, Garmin?

Additionally, I'm not sure if it's easy--or even possible--to avoid auto-updates of this software.

Should be possible to avoid them - there is an option to not check for updates.

That said, I haven't ever consistently opened an out-of-date version of the software to see if it would not update.

I did have an issue with 2.1.4 where updating through the program failed (maybe b/c I had Garmin Core Update Service in manual rather than Automatic mode). Downloading and installing over the existing version worked fine.

Nope, no way to stop garmin express from updating, other than not to use it. The only way you know it is updating, is to put the mouse over the Icon in the notification bar. It tells updating software, otherwise it just says Garmin Express. Found out this morning, when express loaded told me software version 2.1.5 is available, that's it. Notification went away. Scrolled through the software to see if the new map was available. Anyways, did something else and a few seconds later i clicked on the icon and it said updating. Opened it up and no where did i see anything going on. Couple of secs later window pops up tell me update complete.

Update:
Just noticed garmin update service was running in my task manager. I had set it to manual start. The update put it back on Automatic start.

That is what I noticed and I don't like it!

I just launched Express and there were a couple of minutes of (presumed) update to 2.1.5. After the (presumed) update, I checked the level of Express and it still shows 2.1.4. Don't know what to make of that.

Phil

Yes

How long did your 7XX full backup to your computer take. Might be a good use for my GoodSynch software unattended...lol

Garmin Express in you PC hard drive. That is what I did when I first d/led it and realise that I didn't want it.

The earlier versions - like 2.1.2 had an option to not check for updates - looks like it is gone from 2.1.5 (and maybe 2.1.4 dropped it as well).

As I said above, it enabled "Garmin Core Update Service" auto start again after the software update, it also enabled Garmin Express auto-start which resides in your Taskbar. But remember, if you set the "Garmin Core Update Service" to manual in Services, you will have to start it before you run Garmin Express.

The firmware does not actually update until after a power-off and back on. You should get a update complete message.

That's correct and I did power off. disconnect, power on not connected so the new FW could install, it did absolutely fine. Then I reconnected to the PC and GE did not recognize the updated FW for whatever reason.

So I removed it from GE under the SETTINGS tab and just reinstalled it and it was fine, and it saw all of it's previous Backups.

I decided to try it again to see if anything changed for the better. Nope, just as bad. I had previously set it's services to disabled and took it out of msconfig for start up. I know I was back 2-3 versions.

I started through start/programs. It came up and was initializing and installing (I guess) v2.1.5. It re-installed the program (probably the 2.1.5).

Of course it now set its services to automatic and it is in my tray for it to run on startup. This time it didn't open its folder (yea). I still have the mouse jerking and it's consuming 25% of the CPU.

That bothered me also, but it only happened on my computer running Windows XP not the Vista unit. Glad to see they fixed that part at least.

For now I'm letting it run and watching for any new problems.

I updated today on my 3790LMT using the express and then I looked at my JCV file on the unit and it showed D3191070A.JCV with a size of 448 KB. In reading this thread I found the large JCV file is D3060080A.JCV with a size of 774,500 KB. I downloaded that file from Drop box and thank you.

Question: Can I just delete the smaller JCV file from the device and replace it with the larger one by copying it from my PC or is there an installation necessary?

Thanks in advance for assistance.

While D3060080A.JCV will work with your unit, it is not the appropriate file for the 37xx series. It has full screen junction view images and does not support the split screen junction view feature that your nuvi was designed for. Your D3191070A.JCV file is the correct split screen version for your nuvi and contains all the views that the larger file has.

My suggestion is to keep the original file, but if you really want the full screen views instead, you can delete the original file.

I would like to have the photos of the intersections. Which one has them? Anyone?

They both have the photos of the intersections. The one you need is the one that was installed with the map update (D3191070A.JCV). You can use the larger file that you downloaded but it is EXACTLY the same as the smaller one as far as the number of pictures is concerned. The file is only larger because the pictures on the downloaded file take up the whole map screen (larger file size) instead of only half of it (smaller file size.

What is the majority opinion as to preference between split and full screen junction view? Thank all.

Having owned units with both flavours, I prefer split vs fullscreen. YMMV