1490 locks up PC

Does the unit work properly when using the power chord in your car?

Please describe what you mean by "started locking up my PC when it is plugged in and synced up".
Does XP display a message, do you need to reboot after the lockup to have XP function again?

This is my first post. Sounds like Windows Explorer may be locking up because of some file corruption on the Nuvi. Has the Nuvi recently been updated? I would try it on another PC or a friend's PC. If it is recognized, run a chkdsk cmd on the Nuvi file system and see if Windows detects any errors. Many, many Garmin problems result from incomplete or interrupted updates.

Yes, it works just fine in the car or even unplugged.

When you plug the GPS into the PC it goes into sync mode where you see a PC image on the nuvi screen. After it finishes doing this, the PC is frozen, nothing works or can be clicked on. You just see the mouse moving around on the screen. Unplugging the nuvi does not unlock the PC. The only thing I can do is power down the PC and start it again(CTRL-ALT-DEL doesn't even work). When I do I do not get any kind of error message, it just starts fine. I have also tried leave it sit for over 30 minutes to see if it was just very slow. The nuvi has been connected to this PC since the last update without a problem.

I have also tried with and without the SD card installed - same result.

I wonder if it could be the computer's Garmin USB Drivers. If so, uninstalling them and letting them be reinstalled might fix this. Just a thought.

I was thinking of that also but after some experimenting I discovered by plugging the Nuvi into my USB port, then going into Windows Device Manager, I see the Nuvi is working under Microsoft USB drivers dated 7/1/2001. This is using XP Pro SP3.
Both my Nuvis display the Microsoft USB driver and never had a problem connecting.

I was going to suggest rolling back the driver while in the properties screen under the driver tab.
That won't work for RayJay since his PC locks when the Garmin is connected so he is unable to make any driver changes.

If RayJay were able to plug into a friend/family members PC to test that would be helpful in troubleshooting. Also a clue may be offered by checking the event log for error codes, this may provide a clue.

You can check the event log by going to:
Control Panel>Administrative Tools>Event Viewer
Check both Application and System Fields for errors.

P.S. I think the Garmin USB drivers are required for other Garmin Programs but not for viewing files in Windows Explorer which he is unable to do.

I believe it also could be a cable problem, it may have went bad although it was stated different cables were tried, perhaps the other cables were not for the Nuvi.

Welcome to the forum, input from members is always appreciated.

I believe you meant to say if it is NOT recognized to run chkdsk. If it was recognized on another PC means the Nuvi is functioning properly and his PC is at fault.

In my opinion, any update errors that may have occurred would not effect the PC form recognizing the Nuvi but rather the Nuvi wouldn't boot or operate properly. This is not the case here since the unit is operational both on battery power and in the car.

Another reason I don't believe it is the cable is that I can connect my eTrex Vista HCx to the same PC with no problem. I can view files on the card or connect with Mapsource or Basecamp.

I'm afraid I'm stumped regarding your problem.
I can only make two more suggestions.
1- Try connecting to another PC that was previously suggested.
2- Try doing a hard reset making sure your favorites are backed up first so you don't lose them.

Edit:Thought of one more possibility. Maybe something changed in your XP Services that is preventing it from being recognized.
To enter "Services" go into Control Panel>Administrative Tools>Services

Scroll down and check to see if "PLUG & Play" and "Universal Plug And Play Device Host" are set to automatic and started. If not set to automatic, double click on the entry, then under "startup type" select "Automatic", then click on start the service.

I doubt that's the problem but no harm in checking.

Maybe someone else can offer better suggestions.

I'm still not ready to do the hard reset since it is still usable in the vehicle. Hard reset loses everything and then I don't have all my info for car use. I'm trying to save that for a last resort.

I checked the services p&p and the others seem ok.

Catch 22...you can't backup your favorites (prior to a hard reset) from the nuvi since you need to copy a key file over (current.gpx) from the nuvi to the PC. You cannot do this since the PC locks up when you connect the nuvi to it.

A suggestion I'll make is to connect the nuvi to a totally different USB port directly connected to the PC's main board...not an extension, hub or otherwise. I know you said you can connect your eTrex Vista HCx to the PC using the same cable but just try another USB port. Sometimes USB ports can be marginal/go bad and nuvis can require current that a marginal USB port may not be able to supply.

According to his original post he has tried that with no luck.

I think trying on another PC is will be the only way he can confirm if it's his XP operating system issues or the Nuvi itself.

I have tried the USB outylets on the front and back of the PC as well as the hub I normally use. All with the same results.

I broke down and reset the nuvi. It did not make a difference.
I will get a hold of someone else's PC and try connecting. It locks up about the time you should get the pop ups for the nuvi and SD card asking if you want to browse, nothing, etc. but I don not get those popups.

You could not run a chkdsk on a drive you cannot see. There is possibly file corruption on the 1490. A chkdsk run on the Nuvi as a drive could help identify if there is any. It also could correct broken file strings if you ask it to. Try booting to safe mode and plugging in and see if it will recognize it. If not, try another usb cord. If you can see it in device manager, uninstall it and let it auto reinstall on the next boot. If it's not the cord, try another PC. If you still can't, then just use it as best you can as a PND.

I will add that 1490s are notorious for having the USB port work lose from the logic board. It's possible yours has lifted a pin or two and can still charge but can't communicate two way. The mini USB plug can be resoldered but the disassembly, while not difficult, can distort the faceplate if you do not have experience and the required torx drivers.

Well, between your suggestion of removing it from the device manager and Garmin's suggestion of "Please open up My Computer or Computer, C: drive, Garmin folder, USB folder, and delete the following two files. You can also do a search for these two files if you cannot locate them in the USB folder.
Grmngen.sys and Grmnusb.sys"

I finally have my PC and nuvi 1490 talking to each other nicely.

THANKS to all

Thanks for the report

I've noticed somewhat similar behavior which occurs when attempting to disconnect our 265WT from the PC, it takes a very long time before it tells you it's safe to remove the device.

This only occurs with the 8GB SD card loaded with OpenStreetMap data installed in the unit, it appears to spawn a Chkdsk process before unmounting the SD card volume from the PC. If I remove the SD card from the unit before connecting it to the PC, I don't have this problem.

Evidently, XP doesn't like something about the card's format but this doesn't occur when I mount it with the card reader. Odd.

- Phil