Cannot update Garmin with New Maps

 

Since I have the lifetime maps, I am trying to update my Garmin to the latest maps. When I try to update, I get a message indicating that I do not have enough space on my Garmin for the updated map. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can to the update? I do not want to call Garmin because I do not have 2 hours to spare by waiting for one of their technicians to answer my question. Thank you in advance for your information.

First

First I wouldn't take the time to update maps right now as a new update is due out any day. When you do update simply purchase a 4GB or larger SD card for your Nuvi and you can place the map update on the card.

You should also use Garmin's Mapupdater progrom and not Garmin Express or Garmin Lifetime Updater to manage the map update as it will be much easier to update and with less problems.

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

Thanks!!!

I appreciate your information.

Have a good day!!!

What model?

panama wrote:

I appreciate your information.

Have a good day!!!

What Garmin model with lifetime maps do you have? We may be able to offer specific advice with this knowledge.

Help with sd problem.

My apologies if this is not where this should be posted. i have a Nuvi 1370. I have used it in the US and in Spain and worked just fine, a life saver!!

I purchased the lifetime option for the US and Europe maps. In the process of updating my maps something happened and the Europe maps are gone. It updated the US one.

I did find the Europe map downloaded to a Garmin file in my computer and transfered it to a 4g sd card and later a 16g sd card. Still not recognized by the main unit although the computer did recognize both the 4 and the 16g cards. I tried saving a jpeg file to the 16g sd card and the nuvi read it and showed me the picture. What am I doing wrong?

Thaks for your help!!!
Ozzie

Useful

Useful info.. thanks

mistake with files

How exactly did you transfer EU map to Garmin? Did you copy it to card? If so, it will not work. You have to do it this way:

1. place CD card in GPS, connect it to computer and let computer recognize GPS.
2. run MapUpdater or Express to download map.
3. you should get info, that there is no space on GPS to install map and option to choose SD card as destination.
4. let download and installation finish, disconnect GPS and restart it. Should work but SD card MUST be present all time in GPS slot.

If you will have problem with installation on card in GPS device (as I have) do this:

1. use MapUpdater to install map onto computer only (I don't know if Express has this function already).
2. place SD card in reader and let it be recognized
3. Install and run program MapInstall feom garmin website http://www8.garmin.com/support/mappingsw.jsp
4. run MapInstall, select from options EU maps and destination to transfer to SD card
5. let it finish map preparation and transfer
6. remove card from reader, place in GPS nad turn on GPS. Map should be available. SD card MUST be present all time in GPS slot.

ozzier .... Help With Sd Problem.

As grzesja suggests you can't simply load onto an SD card and then put it in the GPS, with Garmin at least.

I have taken my SD card out of my 2460 and placed right back in, the unit no longer recognizes the map, whole process of loading to the card while in the GPS had to be done again.

I took it out after knowing it worked just to see if that was the problem because I did what you did and couldn't figure out why it didn't work.

In short, if you take the card out even for just a couple seconds the maps will need to be reloaded while in the unit.

--
. 2 Garmin DriveSmart 61 LMT-S, Nuvi 2689, 2 Nuvi 2460, Zumo 550, Zumo 450, Uniden R3 radar detector with GPS built in, includes RLC info. Uconnect 430N Garmin based, built into my Jeep. .

@soberbyker

Correction. What I said is that you can't copy file from computer that is used by MapSource or downloaded from Garmin as update. It MUST be prepared by special program (like MapInstall, MapUpdater or Express) before it can be read by GPS.

And yours problem with SD card is strange. I have EU i NA maps, one of them on SD card. If I remove card this map is not available, but after I reinsert card it's readable by GPS without any problems. Of course I don't remove card when GPS is on. If you put SD card into GPS when it's on it may be not read by GPS. Try too turn it off and on again. Should work. And don't remove card with GPS on as it may corrupt files on card sometimes and make then unreadable.

you might ..

You might have to physically remove the files from the unit and transfer it from there.

You could also get rid of

You could also get rid of unused files like all the different languages to see if it will fit

out and in? Help?

soberbyker wrote:

As grzesja suggests you can't simply load onto an SD card and then put it in the GPS, with Garmin at least.

I have taken my SD card out of my 2460 and placed right back in, the unit no longer recognizes the map, whole process of loading to the card while in the GPS had to be done again.

I took it out after knowing it worked just to see if that was the problem because I did what you did and couldn't figure out why it didn't work.

In short, if you take the card out even for just a couple seconds the maps will need to be reloaded while in the unit.

I need to understand this better. I am assuming that the SD card was removed when the 2460 was on. Is that right?

Does the unit just lose access to the map for a moment and the comment on "reloaded" mean letting the unit re-obtain connection or does "reload" literally mean using a Garmin program to put the map back on the unit. If the latter, was the file still visible in Explorer?

More Info from Garmin

Can I download more than one supplemental map on my automotive device?
Answer:
Depending on the device, more than one mapping product may be installed on the same micro/SD card - or directly to the device - provided that there is enough available memory on the card or device.

The following devices are capable of holding more than one downloadable City Navigator NT product:

nuvi 30
nuvi 40
nuvi 50
nuvi 1100 series
nuvi 1200 series
nuvi 1300 series
nuvi 1400 series
nuvi 1690
nuvi 2200 series
nuvi 2300 series
nuvi 2400 series
nuvi 2405 series
nuvi 2505 series
nuvi 3400 series
nuvi 3500 series
nuvi 3700 series
LIVE 1695
LIVE 2300 series
dezl series
zumo 665
For devices not shown on the list, multiple supplemental maps can be used by loading each supplemental map to its own individual micro/SD card.

Please note that although these devices will accept multiple downloadable products, mapping transferred from MapSource or MapInstall is still limited. Maps transferred from one of these programs will overwrite any previously loaded maps which were also transferred from one of these programs.

Last modified on: 10/26/2012

still more

How do I download supplemental maps to my Garmin Mode device?
Answer:
Some Garmin Mode devices require a card reader and microSD/SD card in order to download supplemental mapping directly from the Garmin website. These devices have a special way to communicate with the computer which will not allow the mapping to be loaded directly to the device.

Garmin Mode devices that require this download method include:

eTrex Legend Cx/HCx
eTrex Vista Cx/HCx
eTrex Venture Cx
GPSmap 60CSx/60Cx
GPSmap 76CSx/76Cx
Rino 520HCx/530HCx
Astro 220
StreetPilot 7200/7500
Once the download has been purchased and is in your myGarmin account, follow these instructions to complete the download process:

Sign in to your myGarmin account (Skip to step 3 if you selected the Add to my Device link from your Order Receipt page)
Select the Add to Device link for the download from the Home tab
Follow the steps to install the Communicator Plugin if it is not yet installed
Connect a card reader to your computer with a card large enough to hold the download
Connect your device to the computer using a USB cable and power it on
Select the More Options link (refresh the page if this option does not display)
Click the dial button next to your Removable Disk option
Select Continue
Select Accept Agreement after reviewing the Garmin End User License Agreement
Allow the download to complete
Disconnect the unit and card reader
Plug the microSD/SD card into your device
The mapping will now display on your device. The microSD/SD card must remain in the device when the mapping is being used.

Note: You will only be able to add one mapping download per microSD card with Garmin Mode devices. If you currently have purchased two or more downloadable maps, you will need to use a separate microSD for each map to avoid overwriting the current map on the microSD card.

Links referenced in this article:

myGarmin: https://my.garmin.com/mygarmin/customers/myGarminHome.faces

Last modified on: 08/01/2011

and still more

Why are there fewer mapping products listed under Map Information on my device?
Answer:
Updates to the device's software have altered the way the devices list mapping. Previously, devices only supported a single mapping file, which could contain all of your various mapping products depending on what was chosen before map transfer.

Now you are able to load multiple mapping files to your device and enable or disable each of these files as needed. No mapping products are missing from the Map Information screen. Instead all mapping products are listed by each supplemental map file.

Devices that support multiple map files include the following:

Astro 320
Colorado series
Dakota 10 and 20
eTrex 20 and 30
GPSMAP 62/78 series
Montana series
Oregon series
Rino 6xx series
MapInstall will automatically rename map segments based on the region seleted. If using MapSource, it will be necessary to manually rename each map file.

To rename a map file on the device:

Install a desired map region
Rename mapping file on device:
PC Instructions:
Connect device or microSD card to computer
Click Window’s Start button
Double-Click (My) Computer
Double-Click Garmin device drive or microSD card
Double-Click Garmin folder
Right-Click gmapsupp.img
Select Rename
Enter a new name for mapping file
Ensure new name ends with .img
Press Enter to confirm new name
Right-Click on Garmin device drive or microSD card
Select Eject
Unplug device from computer
Mac Instructions:
Connect device or microSD card to computer
Navigate to Desktop
Double-Click Garmin device drive or microSD card
Click Garmin folder
Select gmapsupp.img
Select File
Select Get Info
Click in Name & Extension field
Enter a new name for mapping file
Ensure new name ends with .img
Close Get Info dialog box
Drag Garmin device drive or microSD card to Trash
Unplug device from computer
Repeat steps 1 and 2, if needed
Enable or disable the various mapping products as needed under Map Information1
You will now be able to manage each of your supplemental map files under Map Information. If more space is needed, delete the unused map files from the device or microSD card.

1Refer to the owner’s manual for further assistance, if needed

Referenced Links:

MapInstall - https://buy.garmin.com/support/productSupport/kanaCase.faces...

MapSource - http://www.garmin.com/us/maps/mapsource

Owner's manual - https://support.garmin.com/support/manuals/searchManuals.fac...

Last modified on: 10/04/2012

and another

How do I correct the message "Can't Unlock Maps. Your unit will not function without maps" on my Garmin mass storage device?
Email this Answer
Print this Answer
09/21/2011
If you are getting the message "Can't Unlock Maps. Your unit will not function without maps," on your Garmin mass storage device, there may be an issue with the unlock file on your device.

Please follow the steps below to restore the mapping unlock file:

Log into your myGarmin account1
Select myMaps
Below the appropriate device, select the "Details" link
Look for the Unlock Code listed on this page
Copy all the unlock codes for your device
Close your internet browser
Right-Click on your Desktop
Click New and then click Text Document
Double-Click on the newly created Text Document icon from the desktop
Paste or type your unlock codes into the document
Click File and then click Save As
Change the file name to: gmapprom.unl
Change the "Save as type" to "All Files"
Click Save
Close the document (You should see the file gmapprom.unl on your Desktop)
Right-Click on the gmapprom.unl file and then click Copy
Connect your Garmin device to your computer and open Computer/My Computer
Right-Click on the 'nuvi (drive letter:)'2
Click Open
Right-Click on the Garmin folder and click Paste (See Step 21 for instructions specifically if your device is not one of the following: Quest series, StreetPilot series, nuvi 200 series, nuvi 205 series, nuvi 295W, nuvi 300 series, nuvi 465, nuvi 500 series, nuvi 600 series, nuvi 700 series, nuvi 800 series, zumo series 400, zumo 500, zumo 550 and zumo 660)
If your device is not one of the devices listed above, the gmapprom.unl file is required to be placed in the ".System" folder, which is a hidden system folder. In order for you to see the hidden ".System" folder:
For Windows XP:
In MyComputer go to the Tools menu and choose Folder Options...
Select the View tab
Select the radio button next to "Show hidden files and folders"
Uncheck the box next to "Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)"
Click OK
For Windows Vista & Windows 7:
In the Computer window go to the Organize menu and choose "Folder and search options"
Select the View tab
Select the radio button next to "Show hidden files, folders, or drives"
Uncheck the box next to "Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)"
Click Ok
Safely disconnect your Garmin device from the computer to complete the process. If you are having any issues duplicating the steps above or are still receiving the message "Can't unlock maps, your unit will not function without maps," please contact product support here: https://buy.garmin.com/support/searchSupport/escalateForm.fa...

1 The device must be registered to view the Unlock Code. To register your device, follow the steps outlined in the following article: https://buy.garmin.com/support/searchSupport/case.faces?caseId={3a1f22c0-3ed8-11dd-d7af-000000000000}

2 In My Computer, some units may be labeled 'garmin (drive letter:).'

location of mapupdater

Where is mapupdater located? I can see Garmin Express application on their site, but no "map-updater". And you are correct... Garmin express takes forever... very convoluted. Thanks for the info.

ps. Garmin website suggests 8gb max. "supportable" micro sdcard for Nuvi.

Mapupdater

Makinja wrote:

Where is mapupdater located? I can see Garmin Express application on their site, but no "map-updater". And you are correct... Garmin express takes forever... very convoluted. Thanks for the info.

ps. Garmin website suggests 8gb max. "supportable" micro sdcard for Nuvi.

Garmin Map Updater PC:
http://download.garmin.com/lmu/GarminMapUpdater.exe

Garmin Map Updater Mac:
http://download.garmin.com/lmu/GarminMapUpdater.dmg
--

--
Nuvi 2460LMT.

Much appreciated

Much appreciated

SD Card reader to the rescue

Old(er) GPSr have only a USB 1.0 connection - extremely slow to transfer a file the size of the North America or Europe map. If you plan to install a mp on the SD card anyway, any decent card reader should give you USB 2.0 speed, about ten times faster than going through the GPSr.

No

jgermann wrote:
soberbyker wrote:

As grzesja suggests you can't simply load onto an SD card and then put it in the GPS, with Garmin at least.

I have taken my SD card out of my 2460 and placed right back in, the unit no longer recognizes the map, whole process of loading to the card while in the GPS had to be done again.

I took it out after knowing it worked just to see if that was the problem because I did what you did and couldn't figure out why it didn't work.

In short, if you take the card out even for just a couple seconds the maps will need to be reloaded while in the unit.

I need to understand this better. I am assuming that the SD card was removed when the 2460 was on. Is that right?

Does the unit just lose access to the map for a moment and the comment on "reloaded" mean letting the unit re-obtain connection or does "reload" literally mean using a Garmin program to put the map back on the unit. If the latter, was the file still visible in Explorer?

I misspoke, I was talking about my Zumo 550, not the 2460. Unit not on, removed the card thinking I was going to use it temporarily for a camera card because I couldn't remember where I put the card I use for the camera, in the minute I took it out I remembered where the other card was and reinserted the card into the GPS, (card never made it to the camera) fired it up, "map not found" had to reinstall from mapsource while the card was in the GPS.

--
. 2 Garmin DriveSmart 61 LMT-S, Nuvi 2689, 2 Nuvi 2460, Zumo 550, Zumo 450, Uniden R3 radar detector with GPS built in, includes RLC info. Uconnect 430N Garmin based, built into my Jeep. .

This quote is false

soberbyker wrote:

As grzesja suggests you can't simply load onto an SD card and then put it in the GPS, with Garmin at least.

Of course you can; just need to know the correct structure of certain directories.
i.e. on the newer Nuvi models (I guess "new" applies to all 4 digit model numbers):
- create a \Map root directory on the SD card
- copy your map file (*.img file) into \Map
- make sure you also copy the corresponding *unl and *.gma files

in \Map, map files may be named anything, not just gmapprom.img. e.g. USA.img etc.
Of course the corresponding unl and gma files must have the same file name

almost correct

Elig99 wrote:
soberbyker wrote:

As grzesja suggests you can't simply load onto an SD card and then put it in the GPS, with Garmin at least.

Of course you can; just need to know the correct structure of certain directories.
i.e. on the newer Nuvi models (I guess "new" applies to all 4 digit model numbers):
- create a \Map root directory on the SD card
- copy your map file (*.img file) into \Map
- make sure you also copy the corresponding *unl and *.gma files

in \Map, map files may be named anything, not just gmapprom.img. e.g. USA.img etc.
Of course the corresponding unl and gma files must have the same file name

Dis you check what you got installed on computer as maps? I just did, as I install maps for MapSource. If you check what is in folder with maps you will see, that there is no img file. This file is created from files installed on computer and then transferred to GPS. I have US and EU maps. They are located in folder "City Navigator North America NT 2013.40.gmap" and "City Navigator Europe NT 2013.41.gmap" (under Vista x64). Go and look what is in those folders. If you just copy those folders to SD card (almost 750 files for both maps) you may be sure that it will not work with GPS. You MUST use MapInstall or MapSource to transfer maps. Both programs have info what they are doing. If you read it you will see, that it take some time to prepare map for GPS (that means to create img file from files on disc). So don't sent people on wild goose chase.

Your idea will work if you copy map from device or card to comp to make backup and than copy it back to restore deleted map. Or if you have maps that were compiled to img file, but it's not case with maps from Garmin.

If you have only the MapSource files...

...then here is a neat trick which I like sometimes to use:
copy the following file from your Nuvi device to a USB flash storage device (a.k.a. "disk on key"):
\Garmin\GarminDevice.xml

The file on the USB flash device should have the same path.
When you start MApSource, it will treat the flash device as an actual Nuvi navigator.

Now use MapSource to transfer a map to this "Nuvi". It will create a .System (hidden) directory on the flash unit and will store there a gmapprom.img map file and its corresponding unl and gma files.

These files can be later transfered to a Nuvi unit, to an SD card, as described in the previous post.

Another trick

Elig99 wrote:

...then here is a neat trick which I like sometimes to use:
copy the following file from your Nuvi device to a USB flash storage device (a.k.a. "disk on key"):
\Garmin\GarminDevice.xml

The file on the USB flash device should have the same path.
When you start MApSource, it will treat the flash device as an actual Nuvi navigator.

Now use MapSource to transfer a map to this "Nuvi". It will create a .System (hidden) directory on the flash unit and will store there a gmapprom.img map file and its corresponding unl and gma files.

These files can be later transfered to a Nuvi unit, to an SD card, as described in the previous post.

In order to distinguish the flash device and the GPS, edit the \Garmin\GarminDevice.xml file and change the "name" of the device just slightly. Mine said "Nuvi765" and I changed it to "Nuvi765T".

Having done this, I can now tell which is which when I also have the real Nuvi attached to the computer (my flash drive stays in a printer card reader, so it is always attached)

Excellent idea jgermann.

That has always been a problem since I have been cloning my nuvi's. This should help.

--
Alan - Android Auto, DriveLuxe 51LMT-S, DriveLuxe 50LMTHD, Nuvi 3597LMTHD, Oregon 550T, Nuvi 855, Nuvi 755T, Lowrance Endura Sierra, Bosch Nyon

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