Windows 10 crashes during Software Update for Nuvi 255 when copying files begins.

Do you have another cable handy to test the copying to the nuvi from the computer? You could also try switching the USB port on the computer used for the nuvi cable.

What gives the idea to try a different cable / u.s. plug?

Not an argument just trying to.learn.what poi Ted you that way.

I had two reasons for suggesting this first:

1) Since the problem arises when the file copying is underway, a bad connection between devices seems possible. Admittedly I would have expected a failed update or a bricked nuvi rather than a crashed Windows 10.

2) Most importantly, trying a different cable/socket is very simple and very easy to do and why try a more challenging set of diagnostics or update attempts without trying the easiest one first?

I think you are correct in those troubleshooting technics. Always do the simple things first.

You should also see what might be running in the background, Things like syncing (dropBox?) to the cloud or something else that would cause this to happen. I have seen A Verizon app running in the background hiccup a few times too and froze a Win7 machine.

Just some thoughts...

Welcome to the factory.

You may have already done this, but the first thing I would do is to make sure that I could see what what on the device. To do this, I suggest following the "settings" instructions in
Get a Manual and Verify Settings on your PC (Garmin) {G}

Just to be sure all that worked, I would "safely disconnect the 255 from the computer and then reattach it. You should get a dialog titled Garmin "Garmin Nuvi" followed by a set of parentheses which tell you to which drive the 255 has been assigned. The dialog asks what you want to do with the device - one choice of which should be "open folder to view files".

Take that option which will open Windows Explorer where the Garmin Nuvi will be highlighted. Now right-click on the device drive letter in Explorer and select "Properties".

In the dialog that appears, you should make a note of the amount of total and free space on the device (for future reference).

Click on the "Tools" tab and then take the "Error Checking" options by clicking on "Check Now". Let the computer automatically fix file system errors. Perhaps there is something that has happened to the device that has corrupted the file system. We would appreciate knowing if that is the case. If there was corruption, that might explain the computer crash.

Always remember to "safely disconnect" the device from the computer whenever you connect it. If it is removed while the computer is still trying to write something to it, you run the risk of corrupting some file.

Thanks... 4 your explanation..

A different cable, all USB I can disconnected and various ports and I always get the same results. Good idea, just didn't seem to be for this problem I'm having.

Scratch my first thoughts. In another ongoing new thread, we see the suggestion to use the clone technique:

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/45157

That might be useful here as well, if only to rule out the nuvi and cable. If trying the clone technique to place the new map on a SD card, it may be wise to clear the original download of the map update from Garmin just in case the download was corrupt. I can't remember where this is stored on a computer but someone will probably add a comment saying that the files are in some browser temp folder or some such place.

Speaking of SD cards, I hadn't thought of this earlier. The nuvi 255 is a 2GB device

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

making me wonder if the OP is trying to install a partial map internally or using a SD card already for a full map update. If a SD card is part of the first failed updates, trying a different SD card (8 or 4GB) would be another thing to try. The nuvi 255 was offered with all of North America included meaning that this and recent map updates wouldn't have permitted a full map update internally.

We'll keep trying to offer advice, rusty, until you report success or cry Uncle.

Rusty5738466. I just finished updating a Nuvi 265 with Windows 10 with no problems . The 255 like the 265 will no longer hold the complete map update. I have a 8 gb SD card installed. This allowed on the original map download with the card installed the option to install maps to the SD card. In return I gained more storage on the gps. Suggest you install a SD card then download the maps first. Once download of maps are completed reboot the gps. Then using Web updater or Garmin Express go for the software update.

The Garmin disk is F. CHKDSK F says there is an error, so I let it fix the detected problem. Windows 10 crashes. So I reboot and run CHKDSK again and it says no errors. So, when I try to do the maps update again, Windows 10 crashes as soon as "copying files" begins. Then if I go run CHKDSK again it says errors, so I run it to fix them. I've tried that a number of times, same results. I also checked the F disk for Garmin with Norton Utilities and it checked OK.

Here is one thing that concerns me. It shows I have a disk capacity on the Nuvi 255 of 1.80 GB. Currently 1.68 GB is used. It says I have left only 122 MB! I did delete earlier all items I do not use in voice, text, no jpg's, etc. Other than this update problem, just FYI, my Garmin works perfectly.

Here is were I'm perplexed. How can an update be done with only 122 MB of disk space left. Where is Garmin trying to copy the maps update to. Should I add like a 4 GB microSD card?

Just as a note, I run Windows 10 under a virtual system. I use Oracle's vbox on a Linux system. Everything else works perfectly, it's just when I try Garmin map updates I run into a problem.

So, my thought is, if adding a 4 GB microSD card might not be a solution, then maybe I should let all of this go until I can get to a pure Windows machine. Maybe there is something funky about how Oracle vbox handles the USB conduit for Garmin, I have no idea.

Do you think I should try adding a 4 GB microSD card to see if I can copy the new maps update there?

Thanks for you help and ideas. I really appreciate it!

As posted above I use a 8 gb but a 4 gb will also work. Just do the map update first with the sd card installed.

Just checked the maps show as taking up 2.29 gb of space on my SD card. Only using 136 mb of space on the gps. So plenty of room for favorites,updates and etc.

Hi, this is what I've started wondering with the Nuvi 255. In File Explorer it shows I have a capacity of 1.80 GB. 1.68 GB used, and 122 MB free. I'm just trying to do a standard Garmin update. ... but I don't see where the files would be going for the map update when Garmin Express starts the "copying files" routine. Maybe Windows 10 crashes when it starts a copy with no space left on the Nuvi 255? I think the Nuvi 255 can take a 4GB microSD card, will an 8GB one work too? Thanks!

See http://www.poi-factory.com/node/14354 for SD card info.

SD cards and nuvis:

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/14354

The Garmin map update process is somewhat smart. By that, I mean it "knows" that the map update won't entirely go to the device's free space, but it knows that the map update will replace the current map (gmapprom.img) file, so your available update space is larger than your current 122MB.

That said, the map update may need some temporary work space, and 122MB might be on the small side.

When doing your update, your update program (Garmin Express or GarminMapUpdater) will recognize that you have insufficient space, and before proceeding, you will be asked if you want to install a partial map (e.g., Lower 48 states) or if you want to install the map update to a SD card. Did you see this? If so, what did you answer?

Finally, you say that you're using Windows 10 on a virtual machine. I doubt that there's a lot of experience with folks trying updates this way. If so, there could be problems associated with this setup and few folks will know if this could be a problem or what to suggest to you.

Having mentioned GarminMapUpdater as an alternative to Garmin Express, that would be another thing that you could try:

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/39873

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/40555

Thanks, I'll give that a try!

Let us know how you make out after trying or completing the map update.Be sure to be aware of the option that comes up to install to SD card because of insufficent space.With the sd card installed take advantage of the complete map install not a partial.

For my own edification I think what's being suggested is that because a program (Garmin Express or GarminMapUpdater), running under a virtualized instance of Windows 10, when a potential disk full condition of a target drive owned by or assigned to the virtualized os (Windows 10) occurs, the base operating system (Oracle's Linux) causes the virtualized is (Windows 10) to crash?

Could it be, the Nuvi, being attached / assigned to a virtualized os (Windows 10) through a Linux USB assignment really has some kind of condition where when the disk on the USB port becomes full the base Linux forces the connection out of the Linux system and the virtualized is crashes?

This should be easy enough to test with a small usb stick pre filled almost to capacity and use of the copy command or through Windows explorer.

But that's just what I think I'm hearing in this conversation.

There are too many variables to say which one is causing the problem. The only one we are certain about is that the nuvi is out of space and the SD card is needed.

Whether the update will run after the SD card is installed is unknown. Windows 10 is an unknown. To think that any virtual operating system will run the same as an installed operating system in every respect is wishful thinking.

dobs108

The question Garmin Express will ask about moving the map to a SD card or installing a smaller map occurs well before the copying of files begins. Look for it the next time you run Garmin Express.

Does your 255 still work with a recent older map? If so, check the installed map (maybe tap Settings/Map/MapInfo) and tell us what your 255 has now. It can't be City Navigator North America ALL but may be something like Lower 48 States.

Good luck. I predict your next message will be a success report to us.

Thanks for all of the help. You guys are great! Here's what it has now which is working perfectly. CN North America NT 2015.10 [1] Lower 49 States

I ordered the 8GB microSD card online so it won't be here for a few days, then I'll do what you've told me and will get back for sure, hopefully with success. Thanks!

With the SD card, you'll now be able to plot a route through Canada and into Alaska. Calvin would say Yukon Ho!

http://chquotes.synthasite.com/resources/ch_y4.gif

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xrjlgg_cahobbes-yukon-ho-1_...

Oh, yep, for sure, it sometimes gets pretty dicey using virtual systems. I've had good luck with Win XP, Win 8 and Win 10 on Oracle vbox and others. Everything went smoothly for a number of years, then about a year or two ago I started having problems with Garmin updates after Win XP and now decided to dig into it when I discovered this web site.

So far on Win 10 updating my Garmin has been my only problem. Everything works great until "copying files" starts and then I get the Win 10 crash.

So, I'm hopeful it's just that I need the microSD card. I've always been amazed any of these virtual systems work as well as they do. The microSD card will be here in a few days, then I'll continue. Luckly my update attempts have not messed up anything with my Nuvi 255, it's still working perfectly with the current map. Thanks for your message!

That's been running in the back of my mind. USB and like are established on software conduits connecting the peripherals via the Linux virtualization to the Guest operating system, in my case Win 10. Sometimes there are hiccups especially with USB. I've seen that with some printers, for example.

What I'm wondering is if when a "disk full" condition occurs Win 10 goes into a panic mode or if vbox does it to Win 10 and the end result is Win 10 crashes. There is so much software running.

The good news is I'm able to download and install Garmin Express perfectly, and it sees my Nuvi 255 OK, and everything is perfect until copying occurs, sees a full disk, and then a panic mode occurs and a crash. The error status feedback just might not be occurring properly, so either Win 10 goes into a panic mode, or Linux forces a crash.

The 8GB microSD card will be here in a few days and then I'll experiment some more. I think what you mentioned makes a lot of sense. Thanks!

Thanks for the video LOL, I needed that!

Who needs a GPS if you already have a globe?

Rusty, When your new 8GB SD arrives, make sure it is formatted to Fat32, and then try the cloning method as described in the link below. This will trick Garmin Express into thinking your Nuvi is connected. This will eliminate any possible issues that are present with the Nuvi, It's possible your Nuvi has a problem writing to the inserted SD card but still able to read it. I have a friend with that problem so with map updates we always need to use the cloning method to update his maps.

Here is the link for the procedure to use the cloning method.
Our sincere thanks for member alandb for creating the tutorial.

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/39231

Thanks!!! I had been wondering exactly what to do. It will be here later this week. I'll install it and see how it goes and will get back! This group has helped me a lot. I'm very very appreciative of it all!

Rusty,
Please do get back to us and let us know if the Cloning Method worked for you.
As I stated in my earlier post my friends Nuvi is unable to write to an inserted SD card. It drove me nuts until I discovered it was a hardware problem.

Since your waiting for the 8GB SD card you can perform a test to see if it is in fact a writing problem.
Insert the SD card you now have into your Nuvi 255 and connect to PC. When connected to the PC open up Windows Explorer and navigate to the SD card. Once the SD card shows, create a new folder. Now take a relatively small file and copy it to that folder. If you are unable to create a new folder or the copied file won't copy then there is a problem writing to the SD card by the Nuvi.

If you follow Alan's instructions for cloning I'm confident you will be able to have the 2016.10 map available.

muell9k's suggestion is a quick way to determine if the SD card (inserted in the device) can be used.

Perhaps create a "doc" folder and copy in some Word document. If the file appears and double-clicking it brings up Word, any writing problem to the card is eliminated.

Right now I don't have a SD card. As soon as it arrives I'll try this test! Good idea! Just as a note, I can read/write ok to the internal 2GB in my Nuvi 255. I deleted all non-essential files there. Thanks! I'll be back.

Thanks! I'll try this as soon as it arrives. Excellent idea! It should be here this Thursday or Friday.

Rusty,
My apologies for suggesting to teat your existing SD card.
This thread is so long I got confused and thought you had an SD card. We can probably rule out a hardware failure of your Nuvi's inability to write to an SD card. However, when your new SD card arrives you can perform the test and make sure the Nuvi can write to it and that the SD card is not defective.
If all works properly the Clone Method should work for you, keep us posted please.

Thanks everyone for all of your help! It's been amazing. Thank you!!! Thank you!!! Well, I've been working on this for a long long time. A lot has happened, so I will keep it short. Using an 8GB microSD card/adapter was a tremendous help as a diagnostic tool.

It worked perfectly in Linux, and it worked perfectly in Windows 10. I went through a lot with the virtual machine and Windows to make that happen, Oracle virtualbox, amazing software. I wiped everything clean as they had a new major release, so, did that, loaded Win 8.1, then the free updgrade to Windows 10. Perfect! The 8GB microSD card worked perfectly in Linux and Windows 10. I was able to read/write, create files, etc.

I put he 8GM microSD card into my Garmin Nuvi 255. I could see it in Linux OK. I could see it in Windows 10 OK. So, I loaded Garmin Express. And, darn, Windows 10 still crashed when copying the maps update started. And, then my Nuvi 255 locked up. When I power it on, I can't get past the Garmin Screen. It's in a loop, brings up the Garmin screen, beeps, screen goes black, then it brings up the Garmin screen again. Same thing, over and over. I'm thinking there is a hardware problem in my Nuvi 255. Sending it back to Garmin was about $80 for repair. So, I bought a new Garmin 42LM 4.3" with lifetime maps off Amazon for $98.97. I just want something super simple. The Garmin Nuvi 255 was perfect. The Garmin 42LM seems to be about the same, and had a lot of great reviews on Amazon.

I figured that was the best way to go. I did do a back up of all of my Garmin Nuvi 255 files in Linux. They are FAT32. I'm wondering if I'm safe trying to restore my Favorites or not. I would hate to screw up the new Garmin. It seems it's replacing the GPX folder with my backed up folder?

Thanks for you help. If you have any ideas about restoring my Favorites please let me know. Otherwise, I'm leaving everything alone and will just enter them in manually.

Let us know if you encounter any problems or have questions.

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/36164

Knowing all the problems that my co-workers have complained about Win 10, the number one problem has been drivers missing or not working. My pod mate couldn't print any more when he upgraded because no drivers were available for his printer. He had to go back to Win 7 and that messed up and he had to take it to Geek Squad.

Working on one OS and not another would seem to eliminate a cable problem.

Did you install the latest USB drivers from Garmin? Maybe uninstalling the drivers and re-installing them could fix it.

Check Garmin site for Win 10 problems. Might be a clue there.

Thanks!!! The Garmin 42LM will be here about Wed of this coming week. I'll give it a try then.

Thanks for getting back to me. I think what I'm going to do is just use the new Garmin 42LM as is when it arrives and let the Windows 10 USB stuff settle out some. I know I had a horrible time with print drivers with Windows 8.1 and 10. Finally got that working. What I will look into is possibly trying to move my Favorites I saved to the new Garmin when it arrives. Right now, I'm getting so I'm afraid to touch anything USB related in Windows 10 for awhile.

The 255 is possibly bricked and we don't know why. It is an older nuvi but there is no sign that a hardware problem caused all this. There is nothing wrong with replacing it since recent nuvis are lightyears ahead of the 255.

I would hesitate before ever connecting the 42 to the Linux box. Whether the Windows 10 virtual machine or the lack of drivers previously mentioned caused the problem we may never know. The first thing to do is make a full backup of the nuvi.

dobs108

Definitely an excellent approach! The good news is the 8GB microSD card/adapter was of excellent help as a diagnostic tool. With all the stuff I did with the newly released Oracle virtualbox machine, I was able to read/write perfectly to the card. I also loaded the most recent version of Windows 10. I keep everything updated, but sometimes it seems a new fresh release has more fixes, it seems. Win 10 is going through some typical release pains, but I find it to be excellent. I did read, however, some time ago they were having issues with USB removable storage. It seems that is OK now.

However ... What is in the back of my mind is, that possibly the Nuvi 255 got corrupted during all of my attempts to get it updated. When I first connected the 8GB microSD card/adapter the same thing happen with it, Win 10 crashed for whatever reason. Now, that no longer happens with the newly released Oracle virtualbox and a reinstall of the most recent Win 10 release.

Yes, I agree, I am not connecting the 42 back. It seems it would have the most recent maps. Amazon seems to be selling a bunch of them it appears. I'm looking forward to just using the 42 in my car. This, has been a long journey! I learned a lot from all of you and I'm sincerely appreciative! As a side note, I've been extremely impressed with this website and how well it works. It is exceptionally well designed!

A "New" Gps may have been sitting on the shelf for some time and not have the newest maps on it. Once it has left the Garmin factory no one will update maps.

My personal thought about all this is this. Scrap the idea using "Virtual Windows etc. Too many hoops to jump through. Go to some friend who has a real Windows or Mac machine and then download a map update.

It appears to be a PC issue and no sense corrupting your new 42LM.
It's highly doubtful your 42LM will have the 2016.10 map or the latest firmware so you will need to update using a different PC, but make sure you have a complete backup before doing anything.

I wouldn't give up on your 255, try using the clone method on your new SD card for updating the maps on a different PC and it may come back to life.

Just an update. I got the Nuvi 42, very very nice and works extremely well. I did register it on Garmin via my virtual system OK, that's never been a problem. I loaded my locations back in by hand, weren't that many. It's during a copy that weird stuff happens with the virtual system. I looked in the Win 10 logs, it shows a kernel panic occurs. I've never attempted an update with the Nuvi 42, and will not via the virtual system, that was the logs from back when I was trying to update the Nuvi 255.

I'm leaving everything as is until I get to a REAL Win 10 system. Fortunately where I live things don't change that much, so I can wait a bit to do the latest update on a REAL Windows system.

I really like the Nuvi 42. It has a nice feel to it, the responsiveness is great. I've also noticed it locates the satellites really quickly, very quickly, compared to my Nuvi 255.

For any reading this using a virtual system, be careful. It used to work great with Garmin Communicator, but for whatever reason a Win 10 kernel crash occurs only during a copy when using Oracle virtualbox, Windows 10 and Garmin Express.

Well, that's it. I just wanted to thank everyone for all of your help. You're a nice bunch of people to work with!

Thanks for the update!

dobs108