Nuvi 255W Freezes

 

Hi. I have a Garmin Nuvi 255w that how freezes or shuts down whenever a map is being drawn. It started after using Garmin Express to "update" the GPS. I've done all the hard reset ideas that I've read with no luck. I've now read how "happy" everyone is with the Garmin Express program, I have joined your group... live and learn. Based on recommendations on this forum, I used the newest version Garmin Map Update to update the Nuvi 255W, but I still have the same issue.

Does anyone have advice on how to fix this crashing/freezing problem? I'm using the Mac version of the Garmin programs, if that is any help.

Thanks,
John

Page 1>>

.

Your problem may have nothing to do with express. Are you using a SD card for part or all of your map? How much free space is on your 255's internal storage?

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

~

Hi cupprof the only other suggestion that comes to mind is use Garmin WebUpdater and reload your firmware which for some reason may be corrupt (the latest firmware version is 7.60)

http://www8.garmin.com/support/collection.jsp?product=999-99...

Once thats done do the following to do another hard reset. (http://www.poi-factory.com/node/26136)

* Note that this procedure has been known to delete your favorites so back them up beforehand: From the nuvi drive, copy x:/Garmin/GPX/current.gpx to your backup location. After the hard reset, copy current.gpx back to the same folder on the nuvi but rename it temp.gpx (important). On the next power cycle, the favorites will be read from temp.gpx into the non-user accessible memory area on the nuvi where they are actually stored (current.gpx is only a shadowed backup of your favorites)

* Note that this procedure will clear all user selected settings under Tools>Settings like map view mode, navigational settings, selected vehicle, selected voice, etc. These settings will need to be re-configured afterwards. It will also clear out your Recent Finds so make sure you save these as favorites or archive them in another way. Maps, vehicles, voices and user-loaded custom POI's stored on the unit will not be disturbed.

Hard Reset Procedure:
1. Power the unit off.
2. Press and hold (and continue to hold) the bottom-right corner of the screen while powering the unit on.
3. Continue to hold the screen until the "Do you want to erase all user data?" prompt appears.
4. Press "yes" and the unit will reboot.

Reset all your location settings and user preferences. Also restore your favorites using the method outlined at the beginning of this post.

Good luck and please let us know if we succeeded in solving your problem smile

--
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

SD...

No alandb, I have no SD and my apologies, but I don't know how to check how much space is on the internal storage... when I connect it to my computer, I can see that it takes up 1.72 GB of space, but I don't know how to check how much space is available.

Firmware...

Canuk... thank you for the info. I have used the most recent web updater multiple times, reinstalling the software each time.

I tried it again, just like you suggested, did the hard reset... still crashes. Incidentally, when I press "View Map" the GPS shows a map of the entire North America with my little car sitting where I live. I can zoom in 1 time, on the 2nd zoom, the GPS shuts down... every time.

Map Info

@cupprof

What information is shown when you go to Tools => Settings => Map => Map Info ?

Map Info...

Evert wrote:

@cupprof

What information is shown when you go to Tools => Settings => Map => Map Info ?

One of the other things I tried was loading a different map than the default... which didn't help.

The map info show:
CN North America NT 2012.20
[1] Lower 49 States NE

check mark and updates

Is there a check mark in the box at the left of the map name?

cupprof wrote:

….. I have a Garmin Nuvi 255w that how freezes or shuts down whenever a map is being drawn. It started after using Garmin Express to "update" the GPS

You definitely have not updated your map to the latest version. Exactly what did you update using Garmin Express?

Loading different map

cupprof wrote:

One of the other things I tried was loading a different map than the default... which didn't help.

How are you "loading" the different map"?

RE: Check Mark and Updates

Evert wrote:

Is there a check mark in the box at the left of the map name?

cupprof wrote:

….. I have a Garmin Nuvi 255w that how freezes or shuts down whenever a map is being drawn. It started after using Garmin Express to "update" the GPS

You definitely have not updated your map to the latest version. Exactly what did you update using Garmin Express?

I updated my map and my firmware with Garmin Express with what it said was the latest versions. After I performed that update is when I started having problems. One of my attempts to a solution was to install a different map with the Garmin Map Updater.

Yes, there is a checkmark next to the map name and I just installed it yesterday using the Garmin Map Updater.

RE: Loading Different Map

Evert wrote:
cupprof wrote:

One of the other things I tried was loading a different map than the default... which didn't help.

How are you "loading" the different map"?

By "loading" I mean that I used Garmin Map Updater and installed a different map than what was already install on the Nuvi.

Map update

cupprof,

Welcome to The Factory. We will work with you and get things fixed as long as you stick with it and with us. Prior to updating the map and firmware with Garmin Express, was the nuvi working well? Do you remember what map version you had pre-GarminExpress updates?

As others have said, we're a bit confused on just what you've done. Are we correct in thinking that your 255W came with Lifetime Maps or that you bought the numaps Lifetime update for the 255W? It sounds like your only current map is the old 2012.20 map for a portion of the USA and it's possible that your update attempts have corrupted this old map which results in freezes.

If you have lifetime map updates, when did you buy the 255W or lifetime map update? When did you last update your map? I ask these questions because the new Garmin policy is to let a lifetime map update capability lapse if the map wasn't updated in the past 24 months--and given your current 2012.20 map, I do worry about the 24-month issue.

You mention using Garmin Express. Did Garmin Express offer you an update to the current map? (Alternately, you can use GarminMapUpdater to update the map.)

Just to be sure, you are trying to update your 255W to the genuine Garmin City Navigator North America NT with the Garmin map update software, right? In other words, you are not trying to update North America with one of the free non-genuine Garmin maps--or heaven forbid, a pirated copy of Garmin's City Navigator, right?

The 255W is stated as being a nuvi model that will be offered the full map update (the largest map that your 255W is entitled to have) to a SD card if there is insufficient space internally on the nuvi for the new map update. When using Garmin Express or GarminMapUpdater to update your map, do you remember seeing a notice that you can either install a subset of the current map to your nuvi or you can install the full map to a SD card? I suggest getting a 4 or 8GB Sandisk card since the new 2015.10 map file is slightly over 2GB right now. Updating your map to the current version, either to the nuvi or to the SD card, if successful, will remove your current map assuming it was installed normally and not as a supplemental map. If your 2012.20 is a supplemental map (filename gmapsupp.img in your nuvi), you would need to remove it manually. If your 2012.20 was installed normally as a primary map (gmapprom.img in the nuvi), it will be auto-deleted when you update to the new map. There is always the chance that the SD card is defective and that a different card should be tried or the current card formatted, then the map update to SD tried again. I wouldn't try a format or a different SD card until we've ruled out some of the easier solutions.

It looks like the 255W was offered by Garmin with either the US/Canada map or a map of Europe. Yours was the US/Canada version, correct?

Your Lower 49 States NE includes the following (28 states plus some islands):

AL, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WI, and WV; Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Bahamas, French Guiana, Saint Barthelemy, Guadeloupe, and Martinique.

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/42542

Can we assume that you are currently in one of the above states when you try to use the 255W?

Before deleting anything, be sure to make a full backup of your entire nuvi to your mac hard drive.

Map versions

cupprof wrote:

...I updated my map and my firmware with Garmin Express with what it said was the latest versions. After I performed that update is when I started having problems. One of my attempts to a solution was to install a different map with the Garmin Map Updater.

Yes, there is a checkmark next to the map name and I just installed it yesterday using the Garmin Map Updater.

What map version do you get when you update with Garmin Express.

I am not familiar with Garmin Mac software but I don't see "Garmin Map Updater" listed. There is a "MapInstall".

Mac and PC

Evert wrote:
cupprof wrote:

...I updated my map and my firmware with Garmin Express with what it said was the latest versions. After I performed that update is when I started having problems. One of my attempts to a solution was to install a different map with the Garmin Map Updater.

Yes, there is a checkmark next to the map name and I just installed it yesterday using the Garmin Map Updater.

What map version do you get when you update with Garmin Express.

I am not familiar with Garmin Mac software but I don't see "Garmin Map Updater" listed. There is a "MapInstall".

GarminMapUpdater comes in two flavors, assuming both still can be downloaded and used with the current 2015.10 map:

PC:

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

Mac:

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

I checked and both versions can still be gotten from Garmin.

That's a great question, Evert. If MapInstall was used now or in the past, then we have a supplemental map issue to resolve.

An approximation

cupprof wrote:

No alandb, I have no SD and my apologies, but I don't know how to check how much space is on the internal storage... when I connect it to my computer, I can see that it takes up 1.72 GB of space, but I don't know how to check how much space is available.

The 255W appears to be a 2GB device:

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/34375

so 2000 - 1720 = approx. 280MB free. Given that the current map appears to be a partial map from version 2012.20, a map update using Garmin Express or GarminMapUpdater now to the new 2015.10 map should auto-offer the SD map update option resulting in all of the US and Canada assuming the SD card is 4GB or larger.

A test

cupprof wrote:

Canuk... thank you for the info. I have used the most recent web updater multiple times, reinstalling the software each time.

I tried it again, just like you suggested, did the hard reset... still crashes. Incidentally, when I press "View Map" the GPS shows a map of the entire North America with my little car sitting where I live. I can zoom in 1 time, on the 2nd zoom, the GPS shuts down... every time.

Could you try this and report back: Turn on your 255W, then when at the main menu, tap WhereTo, then pick a nearby city, tap Go, and tell us what happens?

I'm wondering if you may just be seeing the North America basemap. You say that you have City Navigator 49 states NE and this includes only 28 states. You should not be seeing all of North America. Your results from a WhereTo to a nearby city will let us know if you have a functioning City Navigator or just the basemap.

outdated map

CraigW wrote:

...GarminMapUpdater comes in two flavors, assuming both still can be downloaded and used with the current 2015.10 map:

PC:

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

Mac:

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

I checked and both versions can still be gotten from Garmin.

......

I have a PC version of GarminMapUpdater.exe on my computer that I used to update my 255W with the free update soon after I got it in December 2009.

What I cannot figure is how the OP is able to use GarminMapUpdater to install a partial map based on an OUTDATED map.

I cannot do that for my 255W even though the old map is installed on my computer and shows up in MapSource and MapInstall and is registered on the Garmin site.

I can install a partial outdated map using MapSource and Mapinstall.

Good point

Evert wrote:

What I cannot figure is how the OP is able to use GarminMapUpdater to install a partial map based on an OUTDATED map.

Good point. We need the OP to explain what's been done. GE and GMU can offer a full or partial map update of the current map, and for most units, to the device or to a SD card. But partial updates of an older map should not be possible with GE or GMU. We need the OP to explain what's been done--and maybe some filenames (and dates and sizes) of files on the 255W.

A better explanation... I hope.

First of all, Wow... thanks for all the help and support! This is amazing!!

I'll do my best to explain better what has happened and what has been done. This happened a couple months ago and I gave up trying to fix it until this week, so I may not remember all the details. I do, in fact have the legitimate, official Garmin programs on my Macs. I hate piracy. I have not used an SD card, everything has been with the internal memory.

My Nuvi 255W did NOT come with Lifetime Maps. It came with the US/Canada Map and worked perfectly. My Nuvi 255W stopped working after using Garmin Express on my Mac to update the software. Garmin Express said there was a software update available, so I updated. Thinking all was fine, I went for a drive a couple days later and found that when I went to View Map, I had a view of all of North America. When I tried to zoom in, the unit shut down. Any time I restarted, the same thing happened... and still does.

I did nothing to any files on the Nuvi, I just tried repeatedly to reinstall the software using Garmin Express and Garmin WebUdater with no luck. I then used Garmin Express to reinstall my map... to no avail. I tried hard resets numerous times and went through the steps of setting the country and language as the hard reset requires.

A few days ago, I starting reading through sites on the web on what to try to fix my Nuvi's problem. One suggestion I found elsewhere was to install a different map but to NOT use Garmin Express. I read that I should download and use Garmin Map Update.

So, I went into Garmin Map Update and tried and found that there was no free update for my map. It gave me two choices...
1. Visit Garmin.com to view and purchase available maps
2. Reinstall my current maps with different installation options.

Being that I didn't want to spend money on a map if it wouldn't fix the problem, I chose option 2. When I chose that option (and if I choose it again today) the program says "Ready to Update Your Map" and gives you the choice of "Advanced" or "Continue." I chose "Continue" and reinstalled my map.

That did NOT fix the problem. (And bear in mind, with my internet connection, it takes about 4 hours for the download.)

So, I went back through the same process again with Garmin Map Update but this time chose "Advanced." The program asks where you would like to install the map and I chose to install it on my Garmin GPS Device. The next screen shows options for 11 different maps. Since I live in Pennsylvania, I thought I would just try Lower 49 States NE.

That is how I've ended up with a different, out-dated map, but still with the same original problem.

I will gladly continue with anything anyone asks me to try.

Thanks again for all your help!
John

RE: A Test

CraigW wrote:

Could you try this and report back: Turn on your 255W, then when at the main menu, tap WhereTo, then pick a nearby city, tap Go, and tell us what happens?

I'm wondering if you may just be seeing the North America basemap. You say that you have City Navigator 49 states NE and this includes only 28 states. You should not be seeing all of North America. Your results from a WhereTo to a nearby city will let us know if you have a functioning City Navigator or just the basemap.

CraigW, I did what you suggested. After entering any location and clicking "Go," the full North America basemap shows, the system calculates the route and then immediately shuts off.

John

.

Without being able to look at your device it is difficult to tell what is going on other than you apparently have some corrupt files. My guess is that you are short on free space on the internal storage, and the device is not able to correctly create and manage the operating files such as garmindevice.xml and current.gpx. This condition could have also caused some of your updates (software or map) to be corrupted. What I would do if I was you is this:

1) Do a complete backup of your device.
2) Delete any unneeded voice and vehicle files.
3) Reinstall the lastest device software.
4) Reboot the nuvi and see how it works. You may still have some problems at this point, but rebooting should at least create a fresh garmindevice.xml file.
5) Delete the trip log.
6) Get a 4 or 8 GB SD card and use the cloning method to install or reinstall the map update directly to the SD card (see http://www.poi-factory.com/node/39231).
7) Rename your old map file \Garmin\gmapprom.img on your internal storage to \Garmin\gmapprom.sav
8) Insert the cloned and updated SD card, boot your nuvi and see if you still have the problem.

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

Great. Thanks.

cupprof wrote:
CraigW wrote:

Could you try this and report back: Turn on your 255W, then when at the main menu, tap WhereTo, then pick a nearby city, tap Go, and tell us what happens?

I'm wondering if you may just be seeing the North America basemap. You say that you have City Navigator 49 states NE and this includes only 28 states. You should not be seeing all of North America. Your results from a WhereTo to a nearby city will let us know if you have a functioning City Navigator or just the basemap.

CraigW, I did what you suggested. After entering any location and clicking "Go," the full North America basemap shows, the system calculates the route and then immediately shuts off.

John

Thanks for the test. And thanks for explaining how this all came about. It was quite instructive to me. As alandb suggests, it certainly sounds like corrupt files, but not necessarily the map files, and quite possibly is due to lack of space in the nuvi, so the removal of track logs, unneeded foreign language files, etc. may be needed before trying to reinstall files with WebUpdater. I suggest you follow alandb's thoughts. The thoughts have a lot of steps and need to be followed precisely, so start with a clear mind and with lots of free time, like a Saturday morning unless you're retired. I also suggest having a printout of alandb's procedure rather than going by your monitor. Don't get too upset if you have to try fixing your nuvi more than once. You won't be the first Factory member to have to attempt a solution more than once to get things working.

One last thing: I'm not a Mac person and it'd be better for a real Mac person to comment, but I'm pretty sure that when using a Mac, even when working on an attached device like a nuvi, if you delete any nuvi file, you also need to Empty the Trash on the Mac. Otherwise, the deleted file on the nuvi remains in the nuvi in a trash folder...at least that's how I think Macs work.

If you do get things working, it may really be handy for the future if issues arise, that you make a full backup of your nuvi's files (and the SD card's files, if you add and use a SD card). A restoration from your backup is easier than going online for files. I see alandb suggests a full backup before you start. A good move. Just remember that you will also want a full backup after you get things working again since you will want a backup of the functional nuvi, not just having a backup of the broken one. smile

Cloning etc...

Thanks again for all the help! Yes, CraigW, a Mac user must empty the trash... which I always do after deleting files.

I went through the cloning process and followed very closely the step-by-step directions provided by the cloning page and by alandb.

Alas... no luck. When I boot with the SD card inserted, I have the same exact problem.

I've not done the cloning process more than once, but I've followed and reviewed all the steps related to the internal files on the Nuvi 255W three times. Nothing is different.

I know that the SD card is working because the Map Info is not showing the NE states as it was on the internal memory, instead it shows
...CN North America NT 2012.20 ( with a checkmark next to it )
......[1] All

But as before, after booting the GPS with the SD card installed, when I click on view map, I still see the entire North America map and on the second zoom, it shuts off. I also retried entering an address to go to and it shut down just as before.

Obviously, something is corrupt... but it has to be something still on the internal storage. I deleted all voice and vehicle files, trip log, and favorites. There are still a ton of files on the GPS, but I don't have a clue what ones could be corrupt.

Any more advice? Thanks again!
~ John

WebUpdater?

cupprof wrote:

Thanks again for all the help! Yes, CraigW, a Mac user must empty the trash... which I always do after deleting files.

I went through the cloning process and followed very closely the step-by-step directions provided by the cloning page and by alandb.

Alas... no luck. When I boot with the SD card inserted, I have the same exact problem.

I've not done the cloning process more than once, but I've followed and reviewed all the steps related to the internal files on the Nuvi 255W three times. Nothing is different.

I know that the SD card is working because the Map Info is not showing the NE states as it was on the internal memory, instead it shows
...CN North America NT 2012.20 ( with a checkmark next to it )
......[1] All

But as before, after booting the GPS with the SD card installed, when I click on view map, I still see the entire North America map and on the second zoom, it shuts off. I also retried entering an address to go to and it shut down just as before.

Obviously, something is corrupt... but it has to be something still on the internal storage. I deleted all voice and vehicle files, trip log, and favorites. There are still a ton of files on the GPS, but I don't have a clue what ones could be corrupt.

Any more advice? Thanks again!
~ John

Just one final thought from me today: After gaining room by moving the map to the SD card and deleting tracks, unneeded voices, etc., did you run WebUpdater again? The only thought beyond that is to find the current firmware file and force it to reinstall:

http://gawisp.com/perry/nuvi/

http://www.gmaptool.eu/en/content/nuvi

Make sure to use the right file--we may need someone else to pipe in with a thought on how to find the proper file for the nuvi 255W. I think there's also a way to fool your 255W into thinking it has old firmware by an edit of your nuvi's XML file so that WebUpdater will reinstall the correct file. You definitely want better advice than I'm offering before trying this (unless, of course, you want to brick your 255W to justify the purchase of a new nuvi with lifetime maps, etc.) twisted

DorkusNimrod is our resident guru for such matters. An example: http://www.poi-factory.com/node/20663

My guess is that you want version 7.60 but even if that's correct, I see a 2x5W version 7.60 with and without a MTK, which I think is a chipset used in some but not all the nuvi 2x5W series devices.

OK, now this is really my last thought tonight: With your nuvi connected to your computer and online, call Garmin Tech Support by phone. They can gain access to the diagnostics and files in your nuvi and possibly correct a bad file/setting that can't be found/corrected/replaced by an owner.

Maybe corrupt basemap

Since it seems that the main map should be ok, I wonder if something is wrong with the basemap. The first couple of zooms (where you said that the map freezes) would be trying to pull data from the basemap.

I think you should try moving the gmapbmap.img file from the Garmin folder to your computer. I have done that with my 255W and it starts up ok that way. Of course I can no longer zoom way out. There is also a gmapbmap.sum file - it doesn't do any thing but to be sure, move it too.

RE: Basemap

Evert wrote:

Since it seems that the main map should be ok, I wonder if something is wrong with the basemap. The first couple of zooms (where you said that the map freezes) would be trying to pull data from the basemap.

I think you should try moving the gmapbmap.img file from the Garmin folder to your computer. I have done that with my 255W and it starts up ok that way. Of course I can no longer zoom way out. There is also a gmapbmap.sum file - it doesn't do any thing but to be sure, move it too.

Thanks Evert, I tossed the basemap files (kept a backup of course) and rebooted the 255W. The only difference is that the device crashed as soon as I pressed "View Map." There's no basemap drawn, it just shuts down.

Incidentally, if this helps at all... After I returned the basemap files to their appropriate place and rebooted, the device still crashes immediately after clicking "View Map."

Thanks for the advice.

Back to the firmware

John, I know that you have said that you have updated your firmware several times but I noticed this morning when I did the update via WebUpdater, it announced that the update had been done but I did not see the usual black screen with letters outlined in white saying the firmware is being updated that usually shows up when I first start up my 255W after running WebUpdater.

I think you should force the firmware to an earlier version and see if it fixes the problem.

Do you by chance have a backup of your 255W created before you did a firmware update? If you do, you could copy the GUPDATE.GCD file from your backup to the Garmin folder on your 255W (let it overwrite the existing one). After doing so, delete the GarminDevice.xml file and restart your 255W. As it starts up it should ask you if you want to install the earlier version.

If that works then go ahead and run WebUpdater again to bring the firmware back up to 7.60

If you do not have the file, one can be obtained but first need to know your “Hardware ID”

Open your GarminDevice.xml file with a text editor and look for wording similar to:

Model PartNumber 006-B1091-00

The “1091” is the Hardware ID of my 255W – I think it will be the same on yours but best to check.

RE: Firmare...

Thank you Evert. I do in fact have the same Hardware ID as you posted. I'm now searching for a download of an older update. Unfortunately I do not have a backup of a previous version.

FREEZE

I think that you have reach the end of your rope. Give up and call Garmin and with your GPS hooked up, let them look at your GPS and fix your problem.

--
3790LMT; 2595LMT; 3590LMT, 60LMTHD

7.60 firmware

cupprof wrote:

Thank you Evert. I do in fact have the same Hardware ID as you posted. I'm now searching for a download of an older update. Unfortunately I do not have a backup of a previous version.

I think your gcd file needed will be found here:

http://www.gmaptool.eu/en/content/nuvi

and will be one of these:

March 2, 2012: nuvi 2x5W (GCD File - MTK) Updates & Downloads (Mirror) •nuvi2x5W_GCDFile-MTK__760.gcd

or

March 2, 2012: nuvi 2x5W (GCD File) Updates & Downloads (Mirror) •nuvi2x5W_GCDFile__760.gcd

depending on whether your device uses the MTK chipset. Any thought on which is right for you folks, Evert?

If a pre-7.60 version is desired, look at the November 25, 2009 offering.

Beyond that, I think rthibodaux had the best suggestion unless someone else had further ideas for a self-fix.

RE: 7.60 Firmware...

I've manually updated to that 7.6 version already... more than once. I think Evert was suggesting I try and find an older version.

Thanks CraigW! I like to fix stuff, but I'm going to call if the older update doesn't fix it... or chuck it in the creek behind my house. smile

***EDIT***
I missed your statement about the November 25, 2009 file the first time I read it. I'll give that a shot.

Here's a tidbit or possible clue that I didn't pay much attention until now... Every 3rd or 4th time I reconnect the Nuvi 255W to my computer, the Garmin Express program says that I have an update. It says the Time Zone Map needs updated. If I update it, and then putz around with other stuff, later on after connecting the device to my computer again, the Time Zone needs updated again. Wonder if it's corrupt... is it a file I could toss?

Unlikely.

Express does not always recognize that the TZ file is already at the current version and will offer the update again. It is unlikely that the file is corrupt unless the whole file system (FAT32 index) on your nuvi is corrupt. That said, you can delete it temporarily for testing. Your nuvi should operate without it, but will not be able to automatically update the time based on your location.

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

RE: Older Firmware...

I sure do appreciate all your help and suggestions. You've gone way above the call of duty on this.

I manually loaded the older Firmware, renamed it GUDPDATE.GCD after downloading and copied it to the NUVI. Oddly enough, when I ran WebUpdater, it said my software was up to date.

Wonder how many times a Nuvi 255W will skip across the creek?

Before you throw it in the creek ...

If you have access to a Windows computer, try mounting it on the Windows machine and run the Disk Check utility against the internal storage volume. That will test the ingegrity of the FAT32 index and check for other disk errors. If you don't want the utility to fix the problem (some risk in that), you can check the option to not automatically repair any found errors.

Also, while you have it mounted on Windows, check the properties to see how much free space it shows.

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

older firmware

cupprof wrote:

....I manually loaded the older Firmware, renamed it GUDPDATE.GCD after downloading and copied it to the NUVI. Oddly enough, when I ran WebUpdater, it said my software was up to date.

Wonder how many times a Nuvi 255W will skip across the creek?

What is the name of the file you downloaded?

After you copy the GUDPDATE.GCD to the Garmin folder on your 255W and unplug the USB, you should see the words "New Software Found ....."

If that wording does not appear, the firmware change is not going to happen.

Edit: After re-reading some of the other posts I think you used nuvi2x5WTWN_WebUpdaterGCDfile__350.gcd

That one will not cause a firmware change on mine.

Maybe I can email you one that works for me (was originally on my 255W)

Be Patient

Evert wrote:

After you copy the GUDPDATE.GCD to the Garmin folder on your 255W and unplug the USB, you should see the words "New Software Found ....."

If that wording does not appear, the firmware change is not going to happen.

You must be patient when doing the firmware updates,
on some units it may take a while and you will think nothing is happening and hit the power button again. Just be patient and wait for the New Software Found message to appear.

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Nuvi 2460LMT 2 Units

Being Patient

muell9k wrote:

..You must be patient when doing the firmware updates,
on some units it may take a while and you will think nothing is happening and hit the power button again. Just be patient and wait for the New Software Found message to appear.

That is good advice in general but I have been using my 255W for several years to experiment with and every time I revert to an older firmware version I get the "New Software Found...." message within 4 or 5 seconds after pulling the USB cable.

When I used the nuvi2x5WTWN_WebUpdaterGCDfile__350.gcd file, I pulled the USB cable and my 255W booted fully up right away with no sign of the firmware loading. I did not touch the power switch during the process.

Also others should note that the message only occurs when reverting to an older version. When updating to a newer version one only sees words such as "Software Loading" (with letters outlined in white).

I also have changed firmware on it using Turbocc's tools such as RGN_Tool and GIR_Editor to create .rgn files and Garmin's updater.exe to load them. When using this method the "Software Loading" message shows during the process without pulling the USB cable or touching the power switch. The "New Software Found" message is never seen when using this method.

But the method requires obtaing an .rgn file and booting up into "device mode" instead of "PC mode". so is more difficult for folks to do compared to the GUPDATE.GCD file method.

RE: Older Firmware...

What is the name of the file you downloaded?

After you copy the GUDPDATE.GCD to the Garmin folder on your 255W and unplug the USB, you should see the words "New Software Found ....."

If that wording does not appear, the firmware change is not going to happen.

Edit: After re-reading some of the other posts I think you used nuvi2x5WTWN_WebUpdaterGCDfile__350.gcd

That one will not cause a firmware change on mine.

Maybe I can email you one that works for me (was originally on my 255W)
[/quote]

Yes Evert, that is the file I used... {nuvi2x5WTWN_WebUpdaterGCDfile__350.gcd}. I would appreciate the email. My email is cupprof at gmail dot com.

Thanks,
~ John

email

cupprof wrote:

Yes Evert, that is the file I used... {nuvi2x5WTWN_WebUpdaterGCDfile__350.gcd}. I would appreciate the email. My email is cupprof at gmail dot com.

Thanks,
~ John

I figured that was your email, Professor John, but now that I know for sure I will send the file.

nuvi2x5WTWN_WebUpdaterGCDfile__350.gcd file

@cupprof

I looked at the file using Turbocc's RGN_Tool and see that it is for Hardware ID 932 so that is the reason it will not work on our 255Ws that have HWID 1091

This shows that if one uses a gcd file for the wrong HWID, the 255W will ignore the file and boot up in the normal way without comment.

It's toast, it's a paperweight, it's an anchor, it's a bookend

Do you have a good analogy for a dead Nuvi 255W?

Oh, my dear Nuvi 255W... after all we've tried, there must be something physically wrong with the internal memory as suggested.

After attempting to install an older firmware update, during the installation process, the device shut down, turned on, shut down, turned on, shut down, turned on, and then shut down.

I waited for a while... and then turned in back on. Now, when I turn it on it doesn't get past the first Garmin screen before shutting off. And, when I connect it via USB, the Garmin screen pops up on the device, but the computer doesn't recognize it as being connected. When I unplug it, the device shuts off. I think it's time to retire the Nuvi 255W.

I want to thank you all for sticking with me on this and for all the amazing help. You all were very helpful and I appreciate that you didn't treat me like the newbie that I am. I won't forget this anytime soon.

3597

cupprof wrote:

Do you have a good analogy for a dead Nuvi 255W?...

Many here have found and really are enjoying their refurbed nuvi 3597 with lifetime map updates:

http://www.thegpsstore.com/Garmin-Nuvi-3597LMTHD-Refurbished...

If ordered, carefully check the pages between the Add To Cart and Checkout and you may well find a code for free shipping.

Battery May Be Dead

The reason for those shutdowns can possibly be due to a dead battery. Perhaps you can try to connect the Nuvi to a wall charger and if the computer icon appears hopefully it will be charging. You can try a cell phone charger if you have one although they are usually only .500 amps (1/2 amp) where the Garmin factory wall charger is 1 Amp. It may take a while longer to charge so leave it plugged in overnight. Try booting the next morning and see if it now boots.

At this juncture you have nothing to lose.

P.S. We were all newbies once but this site has some very helpful members that differentiates itself from other sites.

--
Nuvi 2460LMT 2 Units

Could be beating a dead horse

cupprof wrote:

Do you have a good analogy for a dead Nuvi 255W?

Oh, my dear Nuvi 255W... after all we've tried, there must be something physically wrong with the internal memory as suggested.

After attempting to install an older firmware update, during the installation process, the device shut down, turned on, shut down, turned on, shut down, turned on, and then shut down.

I waited for a while... and then turned in back on. Now, when I turn it on it doesn't get past the first Garmin screen before shutting off. And, when I connect it via USB, the Garmin screen pops up on the device, but the computer doesn't recognize it as being connected. When I unplug it, the device shuts off. I think it's time to retire the Nuvi 255W.

I want to thank you all for sticking with me on this and for all the amazing help. You all were very helpful and I appreciate that you didn't treat me like the newbie that I am. I won't forget this anytime soon.

John, I imagine that by now you are ready to quit but if you can still see the Garmin screen when you connect via USB there is a chance that it can still be worked on.

In the past I have tried a lot of things with my 255W. I reformatted it to NTSF and back to FAT32, deleted the partition and re-partioned it, and edited the Master Boot Record. IIRC it was the MBR editing that “bricked” it so I think the firmware may reside in the sector where the MBR is. I still was able to resurrect it but I don’t think the tools I used will work on a MAC.

But you may be right – if your 255W has bad sector(s) where the firmware is loaded, there may be no way to fix it.

I guess we can say we gave it “the old college try”. smile

PC?

@cupprof, do you have a friend with a PC that you could retry some of the suggestions above?

RE: Battery May Be Dead...

muell9k wrote:

The reason for those shutdowns can possibly be due to a dead battery. Perhaps you can try to connect the Nuvi to a wall charger and if the computer icon appears hopefully it will be charging. You can try a cell phone charger if you have one although they are usually only .500 amps (1/2 amp) where the Garmin factory wall charger is 1 Amp. It may take a while longer to charge so leave it plugged in overnight. Try booting the next morning and see if it now boots.

At this juncture you have nothing to lose.

P.S. We were all newbies once but this site has some very helpful members that differentiates itself from other sites.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but since the device gets power from my computer's USB, it shouldn't matter if the battery is dead... it should still show up as being connected to my computer. I'm trying to push water uphill. wink

RE: Beating a Dead Horse

Evert wrote:

John, I imagine that by now you are ready to quit but if you can still see the Garmin screen when you connect via USB there is a chance that it can still be worked on.

In the past I have tried a lot of things with my 255W. I reformatted it to NTSF and back to FAT32, deleted the partition and re-partioned it, and edited the Master Boot Record. IIRC it was the MBR editing that “bricked” it so I think the firmware may reside in the sector where the MBR is. I still was able to resurrect it but I don’t think the tools I used will work on a MAC.

But you may be right – if your 255W has bad sector(s) where the firmware is loaded, there may be no way to fix it.

I guess we can say we gave it “the old college try”. smile

My son has a PC, I'll see if it recognizes the 255W. Otherwise, it may have "kicked the bucket."

Yes, but

cupprof wrote:

...

Correct me if I'm wrong, but since the device gets power from my computer's USB, it shouldn't matter if the battery is dead... it should still show up as being connected to my computer. I'm trying to push water uphill. wink

It does get juice, but not at the rate it will from a wall charger. It might just be on the verge of dying and quits before the computer can give it enough to continue.

RE: Yes but...

jgermann wrote:
cupprof wrote:

...

Correct me if I'm wrong, but since the device gets power from my computer's USB, it shouldn't matter if the battery is dead... it should still show up as being connected to my computer. I'm trying to push water uphill. wink

It does get juice, but not at the rate it will from a wall charger. It might just be on the verge of dying and quits before the computer can give it enough to continue.

The device is sitting here next to me, connected to the USB drive with the Garmin screen displayed like it's trying to load... but the computer doesn't recognize it.

PC?

cupprof wrote:

...

The device is sitting here next to me, connected to the USB drive with the Garmin screen displayed like it's trying to load... but the computer doesn't recognize it.

Are you at your son's PC?

Have you tried a wall charger?

Battery

cupprof wrote:

Correct me if I'm wrong, but since the device gets power from my computer's USB, it shouldn't matter if the battery is dead... it should still show up as being connected to my computer. I'm trying to push water uphill. wink

The battery has a lot to do with showing up on your computer since it needs to go through some screens for the computer to recognize it. If the battery is weak it can't reach that point. That is why I suggested to leave it on a wall charger overnight in attempt to charge the battery. If you have a cell phone charger use that since most will put it in PC mode and charge the battery.

You still have other issues that need correcting but ruling out a weak or dead battery may permit us to continue troubleshooting.

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Nuvi 2460LMT 2 Units
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