3790LMT stuck in reboot loop -- nothing seems to work!

 

Hello all,

Long time lurker, first time poster. I recently downloaded the latest 2014.30 maps for my nuvi 3790LMT. I originally installed it using the GarminExpress app, and the install SEEMED to go alright. Upon attempting to use the GPS again in the car, ONLY major roads were showing up. No smaller roads AT ALL! So it would have my car in the middle of a ton of gray area, and only routes on major roads. Thus, it was constantly telling me to change routes and recalculating, since it didn't "see" smaller roads! Weird...

So, I used GarminMapUpdater instead this time to redownload and reinstall the 2014.30 update. I also decided to download the large JCV file and put it in the GPS as I had done before. I let GarminMapUpdater finish, then tried dragging in the large JCV file. I let it sit there for 30 mins, but it didn't seem to be working/transferring over AT ALL! I tried hitting "Cancel" and there it sat again for about 10 mins, and resulted in a "not responding" from Windows... Grrr!!! I then proceeded to disconnect the USB cable because there was nothing else I could do. Immediately after, Windows became responsive again and the frozen window closed. I reconnected the USB cable, and went to transfer the JCV file again, Windows asked if I wanted to replace the duplicate file, I said yes. Up popped an error that the file could not be replaced because it was corrupt. I tried manually deleting the JCV that was there already, and it says it was deleted, but refreshing the folder shows it is still there and 0 mb in size! It won't delete!

I tried using Unlocker programs and delete programs, and nothing would get rid of the corrupted JCV file! So, I disconnected the USB cable again, reconnected once the GPS was off, and now it is stuck in an infinite reboot loop. It will not boot past the "Loading maps..." part of startup. After about 10 seconds or so showing "Loading maps...", the GPS reboots if connected to the PC or a power adapter, or just shuts down if not. I've tried holding the top-leftish corner to put it into pre-boot mode, and it shows the "System" then "Loading..." part, but then just reboots/turns off again. I tried holding the bottom-right corner, and I can get the "Reset all data" popup to come on for a about 1 second, but then it reboots/turns off. If I am really fast, I can press "Yes" to the "reset all data" popup, and it beeps/recognizes the button press, but then just reboots/shuts down as before.

I've tried other suggestions I found, like holding the power button at a certain time to get "Turn off device?" prompt and pressing "Cancel", but it reboots/shuts down just the same. Connecting to the PC will show the "Connected to PC" logo dealie for about 10 seconds as well, then reboot. I've tried holding the power button for 10 seconds, on up to 2 minutes straight, and it doesn't help. It seems the corrupt JCV file screwed up the entire unit!!!

Any other ideas? This GPS is clearly out of warranty... I DID have a Wal-Mart 1-Year extended on it, but that is over as well. *sigh*

Thanks all!

- JB

Ugh

Oh boy. I wonder if you had more than just a single corrupt jcv file due to the "cable pulling while writing" issue going on here: multiple corrupt files, MBR errors, etc. Do you see any other filenames, dates or sizes that make little sense? What does your computer say for the size of your nuvi storage and the free space remaining? Before starting to copy the large jcv file but after doing the map update, did you fire up the nuvi to see if the map update was successful? And if so, how much free space was left on the nuvi after the map update? Could it be that there was insufficient space left for the large jcv?

Sidenote: I assume you really desire the full-screen Junction View display over the newer splitscreen JVs and that's you reason for manually downloading the large jcv file. Your nuvi will receive the proper splitscreen jcv file during map updates and for your model, the only reason to use the "large JCV" is to have fullscreen JVs displayed like in the older units.

Maybe Strephon A will have some advice and if he suggests this unit is a candidate for "The Cure" as he's written before to others.

http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=143809

http://www.poi-factory.com/search/node/%22Garmin+Cure%22

Strephon_Alkhalikoi wrote:

You can recover from this. Read the thread below.

http://www.noeman.org/gsm/garmin-receivers-firmwares/246273-...

Sounds to me what happens when battery was low when updating

"the GPS reboots if connected to the PC or a power adapter, or just shuts down if not"

The last thing in your statement is a classic sign of low battery and has happened with my garmins in the past. Fully charged the unit using AC power before trying to reboot again let me recover mine.

Garmin warns about the possibility of bricking your unit it the battery level is below 50% level when attempting an update. Most updates do not occur until after the unit is disconnected and on battery power and that is the dangerous time if the power is low during the update.

From your description it sounds like the battery is low and when you disconnected it from the USB while it was trying to update the file info it corrupted the file storage table.

--
Garmin Drive Smart 55 - Samsung Note 10 Smartphone with Google Maps & HERE Apps

Boot Issue Solved

I see from your post on another thread that you got the Nuvi booting again but still have map issue where the map is present but only displays the basemap.

https://forums.garmin.com/showthread.php?67279-3790LMT-Stuck...!
Since many people have problems with Garmin Express why not try GarminUpdater.
Back up the map currently on the unit as a precaution, then delete it off the Nuvi. Do this also to the JCV file.

Then use Mapupdater to download the map again.
Don't forget to use USB2 connection and not the USB3.
Lastly leave the default split screen JCV file it downloads on the new download for now until you get the map working correctly.

PC:
http://download.garmin.com/lmu/GarminMapUpdater.exe

Mac:
http://download.garmin.com/lmu/GarminMapUpdater.dmg

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Nuvi 2460LMT 2 Units

maybe USB connection trouble at the start

While I agree with others that very likely you had file corruption (and NOT just corruption of the junction view file) at the peak of your difficulties, I offer the possibility that the combination of your computer's USB port, your USB cable, and your 3790's USB reception may not have been adequately happy, and that may have been the initial difficulty which ended in corruption.

I own two 3790LMTs, and have personal experience of connection trouble, ranging from not being recognized by the PC at all, all the way up to being able to start a regular map update download, proceeding normally for a while, then have the file transfers stop and the PC no longer show the Garmin disc. My not wholly successful response has been to limit which specific USB ports I use for 3790 connection, even though the excluded ports work with other devices. On my main PC it is the front panel ports which seem least likely to work with a 3790.

--
personal GPS user since 1992

Yes, muell9k is speaking of

Yes, muell9k is speaking of my identical post on the Garmin forums, located here: https://forums.garmin.com/showthread.php?67279-3790LMT-Stuck...!

I will try everything all over again, except using the MapUpdater and the stock JCV this time, and post back.

Thank you guys for your help thus far!

-JB

----------------------------------------------------

Welp, I did what I said, and here's the scoop thus far. Formatted the GPS again, then re-downloaded and re-installed the maps through MapUpdater, rebooted and deleted user data, then rebooted again. The good news? The maps were back to normal! OK, so that was awesome.

Next I fired up WebUpdater, and installed all the updates I wanted (basically everything except the languages I didn't want). Rebooted, aaaaaand...

BACK TO FREAKIN' GRAY BASEMAP ONLY!!!!!!

>:o\

Well, it narrows things down to a conflict of some sort between the new maps and one of the updated files... *sigh* Time to start over AGAIN and only install one at a time until I can figure it out... *sigh*

Latest update

OK, here we go again... One update at a time, then reboot and check to see if all is well (in order on the

WebUpdater list):

Maps installed................................................................ OK
FM Database update...................................................... OK
ecoRoute HD Error Code Database................................ OK
Firmware Update for ecoRoute HD................................. OK
Firmware Update for GTMxx Traffic Receiver................... OK
Firmware Update for GTMxx Traffic Receiver Type 3....... OK
Firmware Update for Touchscreen Module - Nuvi 37xx... OK
Localization Data, XML file.............................................. OK
Speech Recognition Data, American English................... OK
Time Zone Map............................................................... GRAY BASEMAP!!!!!!

I think I found the problem updater! I am going to once again format and do everything again, MINUS the

Time Zone Map update and see what happens.

Suspicions Confirmed!

After reinstalling EVERYTHING except the "Time Zone Map" update, including my backups and full JCV -- my GPS is back to working 100%!!! So, after days of torment, hours of tediousness, I have found the issue. I'm going to post this on the Garmin forum as well. Any idea how to submit a bug report?

Thanks again everyone! I hope this helps out others if they have the same issue.

- JB

latest time zone map update and have no problem with my 3790

ShnikeJSB wrote:

After reinstalling EVERYTHING except the "Time Zone Map" update, including my backups and full JCV -- my GPS is back to working 100%!!! So, after days of torment, hours of tediousness, I have found the issue. I'm going to post this on the Garmin forum as well. Any idea how to submit a bug report?

Thanks again everyone! I hope this helps out others if they have the same issue.

- JB

That is strange because I also have a 3790LMT and have done every update available including the latest map and the latest time zone map and have no problem at all with my unit. Everything functions fine including the map.

--
Garmin Drive Smart 55 - Samsung Note 10 Smartphone with Google Maps & HERE Apps

Thanks For Updating Us

ShnikeJSB wrote:

After reinstalling EVERYTHING except the "Time Zone Map" update, including my backups and full JCV -- my GPS is back to working 100%!!! So, after days of torment, hours of tediousness, I have found the issue. I'm going to post this on the Garmin forum as well. Any idea how to submit a bug report?

Thanks again everyone! I hope this helps out others if they have the same issue.
- JB

@JB
Happy to hear you got it working again. I never would have thought the TimeZone file would cause this problem. I applaud your persistence in finding the cause.

For reference sake regarding the Timezone file I offer you what my older 2460LMT shows.

Timezone File Received With New Nuvi
gmaptz.img = 594kb date stamp was 4/12/2011

Updated Timezone File
GMAPTZ.IMG = 580kb date stamp was 10/27/13

You may want to consider giving this one more try.
Backup your older working Timezone map, then delete it from the Nuvi. Before suggesting this I deleted my Timezone map on my 2460, then rebooted and everything worked normally without the file.

Next use WebUpdater to ONLY update the Timezone file. If this works you'll be OK. If it doesn't work just copy the backup file back, then I would call Garmin Support and ask them why by updating the Timezone file it disables your Map.

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Nuvi 2460LMT 2 Units

maybe you have faulty hardware

I rather doubt there is a timezone file bug which magically affects only your unit.

More likely there is something different about your unit which causes it to malfunction when that file is loaded. This could be the result of some OTHER faulty file, but it seems that your pretty thorough scrubbing of the files makes this unlikely. So I think it most likely that your unit has an obscure hardware flaw not caught in the original testing, which just happens to manifest this way.

As someone who spent a whole career in electronics- largely in microprocessor design, test, and manufacture-let me assure you that no test is perfect at screening all defects from shipping.

--
personal GPS user since 1992

another view

archae86 wrote:

I rather doubt there is a timezone file bug which magically affects only your unit.

More likely there is something different about your unit which causes it to malfunction when that file is loaded. This could be the result of some OTHER faulty file, but it seems that your pretty thorough scrubbing of the files makes this unlikely. So I think it most likely that your unit has an obscure hardware flaw not caught in the original testing, which just happens to manifest this way.

As someone who spent a whole career in electronics- largely in microprocessor design, test, and manufacture-let me assure you that no test is perfect at screening all defects from shipping.

As another who has spent years in electronics and computers it may also have to do with the order the updates are applied. The TMZ map may reset the unit to Base Map so installing or reenabling the map update after the TMZ may correct the problem as well.

--
Illiterate? Write for free help.

Interesting Point

Box Car wrote:

As another who has spent years in electronics and computers it may also have to do with the order the updates are applied. The TMZ map may reset the unit to Base Map so installing or reenabling the map update after the TMZ may correct the problem as well.

Let's see if my suggestion of deleting the TMZ map and updating solves his problem.
If it doesn't, and your theory is correct, then after updating the TMZ file and having Basemap appear, he should downlaod the CN 2014.30 map again to see if that works.

If that is the case, this is unacceptable. Most GPS usres are not that computer savvy with working with files, how would the average person ever know this, or for that matter someone proficient with the usage of files as user ShnikeJSB is.

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Nuvi 2460LMT 2 Units

Good thought

archae86 wrote:

I rather doubt there is a timezone file bug which magically affects only your unit.

More likely there is something different about your unit which causes it to malfunction when that file is loaded. This could be the result of some OTHER faulty file, but it seems that your pretty thorough scrubbing of the files makes this unlikely. So I think it most likely that your unit has an obscure hardware flaw not caught in the original testing, which just happens to manifest this way.

As someone who spent a whole career in electronics- largely in microprocessor design, test, and manufacture-let me assure you that no test is perfect at screening all defects from shipping.

A flaw in Garmin's time zone map seems extremely unlikely to me as well. I don't think we're out of the woods yet until the OP reports success with the next several map or WebUpdater updates. When the time zone map is greyed out or City Navigator isn't available (resulting in seeing only the basemap) while time zone and map files are seen to exist in the device, then I worry that the files sent to the device may be corrupted in sending them to the unit.

As you say, an internal hardware problem could cause this. Something as simple as an intermittent USB cable or connection could be at fault, etc. It'd be worth using POI Loader to load a large set of POI files, icons and audio a few times to see how well things work--or if instead, occasional failures loading POIs are observed suggesting that random failures occur whenever data is transmitted to the GPS. I suppose the problem could just as easily be with some computer hardware rather than cables or the GPS device.

Of the assortment of problems that have arisen in this thread:

-failure to transfer jcv file
-reboot-loop (corrupt essential system file?)
-no detailed map (corrupt gmapprom.img?)
-greyed out TZ setting (corrurpt gmaptz.img?)

the commonality is that each could be due to a single corrupt file--and after each download/install cycle, the file that's corrupt changes at random, although it does seem to occur more often with very large files. I therefore feel that a good candidate for the cause of these failures is faulty data transfer from computer to device.

I just realized I don't have

I just realized I don't have a Time Zone Map AT ALL in my GPS right now to backup a previous file. I also can't find version 11.01 from before to install that instead. I've tried re-installing 2014.30 again and doing a hard-reset after the grey basemap issue before, which didn't help. Does anyone have v11.01 for me to install?

-------------------------------------------------------

OK, I have a guy on the Garmin forums sending me v11.01. When I get it, I'll install that Time Zone Map and report back.

Time Zone Map causes the issues

I just tried every single one of those gmaptz.img files, starting from v12.00 and working my way down, then trying v13.00 again -- every single one caused the grey basemap issue. Simply deleting the gmaptz.img file from the GPS altogether restores things to normal. So it seems I cannot even have a Time Zone Map AT ALL... sad

This means it must be either a hardware issue with my 3790, or an issue only with the most recent maps (2014.30). I don't THINK it is a hardware issue though, since I would assume I had the Time Zone Maps in there before with the previous 3 updates/maps, no? I always just updated everything all at once every 6 months or so, and I would have thought the Time Zone Map would be part of those updates. Not sure if I should try installing older maps plus the Time Zone Map to see if that is correct or not.

Consider This

I am not fluent with your particular Garmin model, but I have been around Garmin devices for a few years, and dealt with Garmin extensively on issues that resulted in firmware revisions.

Even though your Garmin may be out of warranty, Garmin is still very good about tech support. I've been helped many times by Garmin beyond the warranty period.

I had a similar problem(s) with my 60CSx and/or Montana. It sounds like you need to do a complete system reset and reinstall, and make sure no old files that could be corrupt remain. Call Garmin and see if they have specific instructions to perform a complete factory reset and clean reinstall.

You are beyond the point where you need to call Garmin for help.

--
When you are dead, you don’t know that you are dead. It is only difficult for the others. It is the same when you are stupid.

That is what I already have

That is what I already have been doing...

I've completely formatted the thing, done hard resets, and started 100% fresh. By long and tedious processes, I was able to narrow it down to the Time Zone Map as the problem. I then narrowed it down even further by trying all the Time Zone Map releases from v10.0 on up to v13.00, and they all had the same problem. The only thing left to do would be to somehow get an older set of maps to see if the issue still persists, or wait until February for 2014.40 and try again.

I'm Feeling Your Pain

You really have an odd issue here that I've never heard before.

When you have a Time Zone Map installed and you boot does it boot faster than normal when only the Basemap appears?

I'm sure you check the Map Info screen and your 2014.30 map displays with a check mark next to it.

Did you have the 2014.20 map installed before the issue, or was it an older one?

Since you have lifetime maps, You can download an older map from Garmin by signing into your account, then select "Manage Maps", now click on "Details", here you have the option to download 3 older maps dating back to 2013.40.

I'm not sure that will work, something is certainly corrupt, if not, you must call Garmin and see what solution they will offer.

Keep Us Posted

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Nuvi 2460LMT 2 Units

Yeah, it's a tad

Yeah, it's a tad frustrating...

It boots/loads about the same with or without the Time Zone Map installed.

Yes, the maps are both there and checked ("CN North America NT 2014.30 3D" and "CN North America NT 2014.30 ALL trafficTrends North America 4.25").

The last time I updated was in July (which would mean 2014.10 maps), and I updated EVERYTHING all at once, and things worked perfectly fine then. It wasn't until I updated to 2014.30 this past week that things went haywire.

I logged in to my account to download the old maps, but all they do now are link to a Garmin Express download instead of the old maps... sad Seems Garmin got rid of that ability... Grrr!!!

Frustrating Is A Mild Description

You're absolutely correct, it appears the ability to download earlier map versions is history.

Another genius idea from the rocket scientists at Garmin. Did they ever give any thought if they release a new map that has serious issues, how is a user supposed to get a previous version.

I loaded the latest Garmin Express to do the test to recover an older map. Indeed no option anywhere to download an earlier version. Also amazing, GE says I have 6 software updates which is wrong, they all are confirmed being on my Nuvi. I couldn't uninstall this POS software fast enough.

If someone has some magic trick to download an older map version I'd sure like to hear it.
Sorry JB, I think calling Garmin support is your last hope of getting this fixed.

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Nuvi 2460LMT 2 Units

.

muell9k wrote:

Another genius idea from the rocket scientists at Garmin. Did they ever give any thought if they release a new map that has serious issues, how is a user supposed to get a previous version.

Garmin Logic dictates that if/when one downloads and is using the newest map version, said user would never want nor need the previous map version ever again. That's Garmin Logic...user logic does not exist in a Garmin Logic world.

muell9k wrote:

Also amazing, GE says I have 6 software updates which is wrong, they all are confirmed being on my Nuvi.

I don't believe this is any fault of GE specifically. WebUpdater also had the "ability" to continually display updates already applied to the unit repeatedly...it was not WebUpdater's fault either. It has to do with the applied updates being written to the GarminDevice.xml file by the unit after being updated. We've been going through this update nightmare for years now... rolleyes

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nuvi 760, nuvi 765T, nuvi 855, nuvi 3790LMT, nuvi 3490LMT - SoCal area

Is It An Epidemic, Or Just Your Device?

Is this a widespread problems with the TMZ file, the 3790LMT, or the combination of the two?

If it is happening with numerous TMZ file releases, then it is not uniquely or exclusively the TMZ file.

How many others are having this problem?

--
When you are dead, you don’t know that you are dead. It is only difficult for the others. It is the same when you are stupid.

FYI

Before I update a GPS, I copy the entire GPS to my computer. I then can go back to the future. wink

--
When you are dead, you don’t know that you are dead. It is only difficult for the others. It is the same when you are stupid.

A wise move

diesel wrote:

Before I update a GPS, I copy the entire GPS to my computer. I then can go back to the future. wink

I am not as methodical. I do back up the map and jcv though.

Another possibility

ShnikeJSB wrote:

That is what I already have been doing...

I've completely formatted the thing, done hard resets, and started 100% fresh. By long and tedious processes, I was able to narrow it down to the Time Zone Map as the problem. I then narrowed it down even further by trying all the Time Zone Map releases from v10.0 on up to v13.00, and they all had the same problem. The only thing left to do would be to somehow get an older set of maps to see if the issue still persists, or wait until February for 2014.40 and try again.

I had been wondering about the Time Zone Map version numbers you mentioned since my nuvi 2460 doesn't list version numbers in the nuvi and the file data for the TZ map also didn't (and thought it possible that the newer devices like the 3790 do show version numbers for TZ maps unlike my older nuvi 2460).

A possible explanation for the TZ maps causing issues with your nuvi is mentioned in this new thread:

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/41788

making me think that you may be trying to install a TZ map intended for non-nuvis. ShnikeJSB, how did you find and download/install the TZ map to your nuvi 3790: from a map update, WebUpdater, or did you find the map from some site intended for devices other than nuvis, then manually download and copy it to your nuvi, overwriting the nuvi's map file?

Thoughts, anyone?

More:

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/34944

13.00

http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=4747

[Update] The more the other TZ thread continues, the less likely it is that my above thoughts are going to help.

Models supporting automatic time zone

This Garmin FAQ lists the Garmin models in the "On The Road" series that support the automatic time zone feature. I assume this is a comprehensive list of the models that use the gmaptz.img file. This list does not include the handheld models. Some of them (like my Oregon 550T) also use the gmaptz.img file and support the automatic time zone function.

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