Reducing Problems with Garmin Software

I had never used Mapsource or Basecamp. I d/l'ed BC to plan a 21 day motorcycle trip. At first I thought it was working until it sent me down secondary roads.
Then I tried Mapsource, which did what I wanted (expected?) but I prefered the BC UI and went back to BC. I just couldn't get it to work and it kept getting worse, crashing, looping back to previous waypoints.

I saw this thread and installed Revo (free) and it deleted everything associated with Garmin.
After a fresh install of BC it's been working (still with the quirks many discuss), but at least I have my trip planned.

Since there are many positive comments regarding Revo Uninstaller, I decided to give it a try a few months ago to rid my system of Basecamp

I used the advanced mode and all seemed to have gone well except I noticed that there were certain files/folders that were left behind after the program had finished running.

I remember that my CCleaner would still see the start up folders in the registry therefore I immediately deleted them with the CCleaner.

I started exploring a little and also found an empty Basecamp folder either in my Program Files (x86) or ProgramData and deleted it.

Overall I'm pleased with Revo Uninstaller and will continue using it in the future but I'll certainly continue searching here and there to insure that there wasn't anything that was overlooked

I have used Uninstaller Pro for quite sometime and never had a problem. A few months back I was removing Garmin Express and without paying too much attention I deleted all the leftovers. What I found was that everything Garmin had been removed. Apparently Garmin Express had buried itself in all Garmin programs and when I deleted leftovers everything Garmin was deleted.

I can't edit my previous post but the leftovers were encountered when uninstalling Basecamp and Garmin Express.

Ours when there's no destination (like using it for rlc alerts), it seems to choose one for us.

The top bar will say 16 min to the grocery store no traffic. Reboot it and behaves normally again, then does the above, home, 69 min, no traffic.

It gets rid of a lot of leftover crap. I use it in the advanced mode.

Been using it for a long time. GeekUninstaller for those programs Revo doesn't see.

I am quite surprised that Revo failed to find all of the files associated with the package that you uninstalled. Is it possible that you had done a previous install and uninstall using Control Panel?

I agree. This happened to me also but I just reinstalled the packages that I wanted. This might be a blessing as it should make sure that various older Garmin packages do not interfere with later versions

my bad

I have used Uninstaller Pro and revo and some times you have to reboot your system for it to remove protected files, but I have also found they both leave reg files and empty folders at times and you have to delete them manually ! if you don't know much about registry files "don't touch them" you can brick your puter I know I have done it and had to reinstall my system. the same goes for graphic and audio updates ive updated my graphic card and had games not start or crash. a lot of updates give you the option to remove the older version's first

I downloaded the free portable version of Revo Uninstaller after having read your positive comments concerning this program. I printed the 28 page user guide in order to fully understand and properly use it.

I recently bought a new computer (upgrading from Windows xp to Windows 7) therefore this was my first uninstall of Garmin Express and Basecamp.

After having deleted both programs, CCleaner saw the Garmin express startup in the registry and an empty Basecamp folder in the program files(x86) or program data and all I had to do was delete the folder.

Did Revo not find both above items or was it user error, I have no idea, both scenarios are possible.

If ever you do a test in the future using the free Revo portable version and delete both Basecamp and Garmin Express and don't find any leftovers we'll know for a fact without a doubt that it's user error

I've been lucky not to have any problems. Yet.

Had you done a computer shutdown and restart, there would not have been a Garmin Folder (highest level) nor a start up item.

I am saying this because I went to my laptop which is running Win 7 Pro 64 bit and installed Express and Basecamp (which was a first time installation). I attached my 765 and let Basecamp get the 2015.1 map, so it grabbed a bunch of disk space.

Then I used Revo (free) to uninstall both programs. I have an advantage on my computers that you probably do not have in that I have installed Startup Monitor from Mike Lin. This is an ancient program but it still works for me and all OSs. What it does is notify me whenever any program tries to put something into startup.

What I saw was that the uninstall program for Express put something (run once) into startup (I allowed it). After the uninstalls finished, I checked and, yes, I did have the high level Gamin folder.

After a shut down and reboot, the Garmin folder had been deleted by the "run once" entry.

So, what you saw was exactly corrent.

Programs should come with their own uninstaller that totally removes them if desired.

is the equivilent to a virus

Revo has always found leftovers form an uninistall after I used the control panel in windows to uninstall a program.

I try to use Revo the first time instead of the control panel now.

I have had this program for some time now.Back to Windows 98 or Windows Me I think. Most cases it will remove everything using Advance removal, but in rare cases. I have had to go back and delete some files.

Most users may not be aware of it but it will do more then just remove programs. Under Tools you will see Autorun Manager,Windows Tools and Junk File Cleaner.A alternate for those who may not prefer options in Windows.

Next time I delete a program I'll do a reboot

My experience has been that uninstallers are not all that smart, they basically have two functions: 1. run the uninstall program associated with program to be removed and 2. scan registry for left-over keys associated with the program removed. Revo I'm sure does this well as does Advanced Systems Care, Jet Clean, Glary Utilities, and Ccleaner.

What none of them seem to do is what your described above - remove left over directories and start item folders, guessing because they like the free advertising. Recommend you do this manually when you uninstall any program - take a stroll in Programs and Programs X86 and you'll be surprised what's still there.

When installing a program, be very careful not to install other software 'pebbled' by the manufacturer - like McAfee when installing Flash Player, or Google Chrome when install Avast.

As for Garmin software - I've only encountered issues with Garmin Express - seem associated with new versions and uninstalling old version and installing new version fixed it.

Sounds like your Garmin has the "My trend" feature. It learns your driving habit over time and try to predict where you would like to go if it detects a "trend". It could be rather annoying.

You could turn it off, if it becomes a bother. I turned mine off.

Thank you. I guess I just used the uninstall feature and had not explored the other menu items. The junk files cleaner found a long list of items.

My comment would be that any uninstaller that leaves behind that much is not an uninstaller at all and needs serious work. Shame on Garmin.

I would also comment that any software that needs to install 1,341+ registry entries is probably pretty sloppy to begin with! Shame on Garmin.

Next, I would point out that while there is a 30 day trial of Revo available, it isn't free. And frankly, we PC users shouldn't need a third party uninstaller anyway. If a third party program can be effective, why can't the original program be effective?

Lastly, has anyone tried the Windows uninstaller? Or does it simply try to use the Garmin uninstaller?

Addendum, I should point out that any upgrade should not require an uninstall in the first place. Shame on Garmin.

Thanks for info

The free version does everything you need it to do.

When a program is installed, the manufacturer has the installer document (in a way) the steps it took when it installed. These are placed in a file in Windoze. This is what the Windoze Uninstaller uses to uninstall a product. Again, it's only as good as the manufacturer's QA process to get it working well. (Shame on Garmin...)

I wondered what "Ask Leo" had to say about uninstallers. Here is one thought

I actually think it is worthwhile to follow this link to another of Leo's commentaries. I say this because we all seem to have used several Garmin apps in addition to Express (which it seems lots of people uninstall). Leo makes some sense out of the leftovers we have found when we uninstall.

http://ask-leo.com/what_do_i_do_about_all_the_leftovers_afte...

I use Revo Uninstaller Pro and have been using it for years. There have been times when it has removed files from one program I use called NTI Media Maker 8 making it unusable, but a reinstall overcomes that.
But that can be avoided by very carefully looking at all the files Revo wants to remove.

One FREE program is wicked to remove and that is COMODO INTERNET SUITE !!! There is actually a small program to remove any traces of it.

Another wicked one to remove is NORTONS !!! You actually have to go to their website to download a NORTON remover.

I also have a program to remove hard to remove files, you point it to the file or folder and on the next bootup it removes the file.

McAfee has the same problem.

I'm a fan of Revo as well. I've used the program for a number of years and found that it works well in removing all traces of programs that I no longer use. As for Base Camp and it's recent update, I was very surprised to see the many left overs that were still in the registry. Maybe they will be able to clean it up somewhat but I won't hold my breath.

Welcome to the site.

Sorry that I have not welcomed you sooner. Even though you have been with us for a couple of months, we want to make sure that you have done several things that will make your devices give you maximum pleasure.

There is a "Learn" button in the upper right of this page next to "red light cameras" that takes you to a Getting Started page. It is worthwhile visiting this page.

To make navigation easy, most browsers provide the following option. When you want to follow a link - but still keep your current page open - you can hold down the "Ctrl" key as you left-click on a link. That action will open a new "Tab" in your browser up on the "Tab" bar. When you then left-click on that new "Tab", you will follow the link - leaving the "Tab" you are now reading open and available to click on and return here.

So, using the "Learn" link, you might try the "Ctrl" - left-click sequence and then return here. You can return by either "X-ing" out of the "Getting Started" page (using the "X" on the "Tab" itself) or just left-clicking on the "Tab" for the page you are on right now.

Since you are fairly new here, I encourage you to go through a couple of the Tutorials.

The first link makes sure the settings on your computer are such that you can do more advanced POI loading.
http://www.poi-factory.com/node/30393

The next link helps you make a backup of your GPS by attaching it to your computer. (NEVER do anything to your GPS until you have a backup). It also assures that you put your (newer) unit into a state where you can see all of the folders there.
http://www.poi-factory.com/node/30394

Let us know how we can help you enjoy your GPS.

I didn't realize there was such a feature.

It's funny now in the workplace, with SOX and HIPPA and all the regs, that technology often violates them so innocently. Recently a coworker couldn't find her voicemails, so IT forwarded them to her.

In the olden days (like 5+ yrs. ago), systems were designed such that an admin could not do such a thing, they could reset a pwd, but they cannot know what the pwd is nor could they access a box. Today, anything goes!

I haven't read that much about uninstalling program since Windows 3.x-9x. You think that somebody will inform Garmin that for many years uninstall module is part of every program. And it should work without need to use zillions of third party software.

If anything says a lot about poor quality of Garmin software and incompetence of theirs programmers is this threat, plus every one of few last updates, maps updates included.

double.