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Failed Firmware Updates Due to a Large Trip Log

 
Sun, 04/28/2013 - 3:49pm

I am throwing this out there because I have noticed a correlation between failed firmware updates on units with a large trip log.

I've seen this problem happen several times to myself as well as to my customers. I've seen it on the 14xx units but I feel that it could happen to other models as well.

One sure sign of a large trip log is a slow boot-up and slow data connection when connected to a PC.

When the unit is connected to a PC, the green progress bar that runs from the left of the screen to the right of the screen takes a very long time (up to 45 secs) before the PC to GPS icon appears on the screen.

Once the icon appears, the Nuvi will be recognized by the PC. Sometimes, however, the Nuvi appears to time-out and the icon goes away, causing the unit to re-boot to the main menu with the USB plug still plugged into the USB receptacle.

Clearing the trip log dramatically speeds up the progression of the green progress bar and allows the PC to recognize the Nuvi within several seconds.

It appears that during boot-up, the trip log is loaded into memory and may have an affect on available memory/resources.

I've performed quite a lot of firmware updates over the years and it seems that when there is a long delay for the unit to be recognized by the PC (slow green progress bar) the unit fails to update properly and goes into an endless loop boot-up.

This happens regardless of whether I am using webupdater or just copying over the GCD file to a unit.

I now clear the trip log on each unit before I perform the firmware update and I haven't had a problem since.

Always back-up your favorites and other important files before doing an update too.

- Jim

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SHARCNET-USA
Sun, 04/28/2013 - 4:07pm

Interesting

Interesting Sharcnet, I've always wondered why that green bar takes so long on my older units. The newer models, like the 3790, 2460, and others don't have that bar any longer but they sometimes take longer to boot than at other times. The trip log maybe the answer there as well.

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Nuvi 350, 760, 1695LM, 3790LMT, 2460LMT, 3597LMTHD, DriveLuxe 50LMTHD, DriveSmart 61, Garmin Drive 52, Garmin Backup Camera 40 and TomTom XXL540s.
Sun, 04/28/2013 - 4:52pm

Thanks, Jim, for that observation on Trip Log

sharcnet wrote:

I am throwing this out there because I have noticed a correlation between failed firmware updates on units with a large trip log.

...
- Jim

To add to the discussion, I will post what Garmin says.

Quote:

What is a trip log and how does it work on a nuvi or zumo device?
Answer:
Trip logs are points automatically stored when the GPS device is locked onto a satellite signal and moving. It is the electronic equivalent of laying down a "breadcrumb trail" to mark the path that has been traveled.

A nuvi or zumo can store 10,000 points before it begins the process of archiving additional logs.1 Beyond 10,000 points the device moves the oldest trip data into an internal archive file. Up to 20 archive files can be stored internally on the unit. This means, depending on space available, that the device can store over 200,000 points of trip data.

Archived trip log information is not visible on the device itself, but can be used and seen with Garmin's MapSource or BaseCamp programs.

To open and view individual archives:

Open the Garmin drive
This is located in Computer or My Computer on Windows
This is located on the Desktop on Mac
Open the Garmin folder
Open the GPX folder
Open the Archive folder
Each archived GPX file can be opened in MapSource or BaseCamp.

These can also be opened as individual archives from within BaseCamp by following these steps:

Plug the device into the computer
Open the BaseCamp program
Click on the device or Internal Storage, under Devices
Click on an active route
*Note: MapSource will not install without a previous version of MapSource mapping already installed to the computer. If mapping software is not available BaseCamp would be the application to use. The mapping applications can be downloaded from this link: http://www8.garmin.com/support/mappingsw.jsp

1The Archive file feature can be found on all nuvi and zumo models EXCEPT the following:

nuvi 200 series
nuvi 300 series
nuvi 600 series
nuvi 700 series
Last modified on: 02/06/2013

It is no wonder that the unit might get slow if up to 200,000 points are stored.

Sun, 04/28/2013 - 5:29pm

Should be able to find lots

Should be able to find lots of posts on trip logs. I make it a habit to clear mine after every trip after members reported it slowing down the unit in the past.

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Charlie. Nuvi 265 WT and Nuvi 2597 LMT. MapFactor Navigator - Offline Maps & GPS.
Sun, 04/28/2013 - 8:17pm

I Do The Same

Clear the trip long. Don't need to know where I have been.

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3790LMT; 2595LMT; 3590LMT, 60LMTHD
Mon, 04/29/2013 - 7:13pm

Thanks Jim

Excellent tip cool

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Nüvi 255WT with nüMaps Lifetime North America born on 602117815 / Nüvi 3597LMTHD born on 805972514 / I love Friday’s except when I’m on holidays ~ canuk
Tue, 04/30/2013 - 10:27am

Thanks

Thanks for the info.....never knew that.

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ChefDon
Tue, 04/30/2013 - 10:48am

Thanks!

Thank you for the info!!

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Garmin nuvi 2455LMT (wife uses nuvi 255w) (sold C330)
Tue, 04/30/2013 - 11:01am

Thanks for the tip. Good to

Thanks for the tip. Good to know about that I need to do preventive maintenancwe