Nuvi 2598... having issues with audio alerts, but I've done this before...

 

ok, I'm not a rookie at this, but hopefully someone might have a suggestion...

I've had my alerts working before... I have the latest POI Loader... sox.exe (older version from 1/29/2008 {14-0-1}) is in the C:/Program Files (x86)/Garmin/POI Loader directory... all .wav files are meticulously checked and triple checked to match the file names of the .csv files...

since September, my regular audio alerts have stopped functioning EXCEPT for Redlight Camera alerts, Speed Camera alerts, and (of all things) "Rest Stop With Restrooms Ahead", but my Dunkin Donuts, Seven Eleven, Burger King and *all of my other goodies* have just ceased to function...! (I do get the alert tones, and the text of the POI appears at the top... I've tried turning the alert tones off as well... no help...)

I haven't sniveled about it here until now, thinking it's just the Polish in me... I have tried everything I can think of... of course, uninstalled/re-installed the POI Loader, deleted and re-downloaded sox.exe... laptop reboot... removed the SD card... made sure that I have manually activated the proximity alerts for each POI during the upload process... I've read, and reread all of the associated discussion threads here on the board... now, I haven't gone so far as to load all of the needed software onto the wifey's computer (not wanting to get 'flagged for encroachment'), but I'm about ready to sneak into that one, risking a penalty...

so... is there anything obvious that I'm missing here...? I've tried nearly a dozen times, thinking it was something simple, but at this point, I'm ready to plead insanity...

suggestions welcome... please...

--
no matter where you go, `dere you is...

Questions

Before offering a few suggestions, let me ask a tad more. Am I correct in the following based on what I think you've said:

-all POIs in the past with your current computer and current nuvi 2598 did offer custom audio alerts based on the custom audio assigned to each POI file, but recently all fail to give your custom audio with the exception of redlights, speed cameras and rest areas?

-all files set to offer an alert do alert, but with the exception of redlight, speed and rest areas, instead of the custom audio, you get the default 'ding' sound? (If so, this rules out the 100' from the roadway being exceeded; i.e., http://www.poi-factory.com/node/42425 paying attention to Along The Road, Along The Route, and TourGuide issues. If you don't get a 'ding' alert for these nonfunctioning restaurants, then the above FAQ link may be the fix for you by changing to a TourGuide.)

I feel crazy even asking this since you have "meticulously checked," but for completeness, can you confirm that for the non-functioning custom audio alerts, that the filenames match; e.g., DunkinD.csv and DunkinD.wav, etc? If these restaurant POI files are updated frequently and you download the revision, sometimes a computer will give the new download a new name like DunkinD[1].csv and this of course doesn't match your older DunkinD.wav audio alert leaving you with the Garmin default 'ding' sound.

One thing for sure is that your sox.exe is the right version in the right location. If not, then you would not be getting custom audio alerts for the redlights, speed cams, and rest areas.

If none of this applies, your answer to my two questions can lead us to further ideas.

Extensions

nucnsbubba wrote:

ok, I'm not a rookie at this, but hopefully someone might have a suggestion...

I've had my alerts working before... I have the latest POI Loader... sox.exe (older version from 1/29/2008 {14-0-1}) is in the C:/Program Files (x86)/Garmin/POI Loader directory... all .wav files are meticulously checked and triple checked to match the file names of the .csv files...

since September, my regular audio alerts have stopped functioning EXCEPT for Redlight Camera alerts, Speed Camera alerts, and (of all things) "Rest Stop With Restrooms Ahead", but my Dunkin Donuts, Seven Eleven, Burger King and *all of my other goodies* have just ceased to function...! (I do get the alert tones, and the text of the POI appears at the top... I've tried turning the alert tones off as well... no help...)

I haven't sniveled about it here until now, thinking it's just the Polish in me... I have tried everything I can think of... of course, uninstalled/re-installed the POI Loader, deleted and re-downloaded sox.exe... laptop reboot... removed the SD card... made sure that I have manually activated the proximity alerts for each POI during the upload process... I've read, and reread all of the associated discussion threads here on the board... now, I haven't gone so far as to load all of the needed software onto the wifey's computer (not wanting to get 'flagged for encroachment'), but I'm about ready to sneak into that one, risking a penalty...

so... is there anything obvious that I'm missing here...? I've tried nearly a dozen times, thinking it was something simple, but at this point, I'm ready to plead insanity...

suggestions welcome... please...

You may be getting double extensions on those files. Make sure your computer is set to show extensions. See http://www.poi-factory.com/node/41141 . Also double check the wav file set up again http://www.poi-factory.com/node/25730 .A suggestion when downloading your files. Once you click to download from POI Factory go to the selected location for the download to your computer.Click on the old file still on your computer and the new file will replace it and retain the same name for the file. Easy way to prevent naming problem.

--
Charlie. Nuvi 265 WT and Nuvi 2597 LMT. MapFactor Navigator - Offline Maps & GPS.

Quote: -all POIs in the

Quote:

-all POIs in the past with your current computer and current nuvi 2598 did offer custom audio alerts based on the custom audio assigned to each POI file, but recently all fail to give your custom audio with the exception of redlights, speed cameras and rest areas?

yes, that is correct... I acquired everything I have here on the POI Factory...

Quote:

-all files set to offer an alert do alert, but with the exception of redlight, speed and rest areas, instead of the custom audio, you get the default 'ding' sound?

that is correct... I get the dings... that was what surprised me, that the Redlight, Speed and rest area alerts remain functioning...

another thing, I set my laptop to 'show hidden files and extensions', so that's another issue that's been checked...

--
no matter where you go, `dere you is...

Quote: You may be getting

Quote:

You may be getting double extensions on those files. Make sure your computer is set to show extensions.

I double checked that again just last night...

Quote:

A suggestion when downloading your files. Once you click to download from POI Factory go to the selected location for the download to your computer.Click on the old file still on your computer and the new file will replace it and retain the same name for the file. Easy way to prevent naming problem.

I've never tried that... I'll give it a shot... I've always renamed each file manually...

another point here... I've gone to my POI directory on the laptop and double clicked on each file to see that they'd play independent of the POI Factory site... they do...

--
no matter where you go, `dere you is...

maybe a possibility...

I've been racking my brain to try to come up with what might be different since this issue started last September... there is something that is different...

when downloading some audio files, I inadvertently clicked on something (?) that caused the audio file to 'play' instead of giving me the little 'download menu' when I clicked on it... since then, I've been clicking and dragging the file and dropping it into my POI directory... don't know why this might make a difference but I'm beating all bushes at this point... other files that used to work and were unchanged (Dollar Tree, etc.) stopped working, but those Redlight and Speed audio files (of which I had sampled a few others for volume while driving) still functioned...

and I should note, the only rest area file that still works is "rest area, with restrooms, just ahead" is the only one that functions... I have other audio alerts for just plain rest areas, truck stops and state line crossing that used to function, and now do not... those have remained unchanged in my POI directory through all of this...

another thing I've tried... I have also deleted all of the POIs in the 2598, and then reloaded them... no help...

I'm a firm believer that there is a mathematical reason for everything... and at this point, I WANNA KNOW WHAT IT IS...!

--
no matter where you go, `dere you is...

shortcuts?

Is it possible that with your drag and drop method you are creating shortcuts instead of copying the actual file?

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

An experiment

nucnsbubba wrote:
Quote:

-all POIs in the past with your current computer and current nuvi 2598 did offer custom audio alerts based on the custom audio assigned to each POI file, but recently all fail to give your custom audio with the exception of redlights, speed cameras and rest areas?

yes, that is correct... I acquired everything I have here on the POI Factory...

Quote:

-all files set to offer an alert do alert, but with the exception of redlight, speed and rest areas, instead of the custom audio, you get the default 'ding' sound?

that is correct... I get the dings... that was what surprised me, that the Redlight, Speed and rest area alerts remain functioning...

another thing, I set my laptop to 'show hidden files and extensions', so that's another issue that's been checked...

Here's an experiment that may rule out a potential cause. Right now, your custom alerts used for redlight, speed and rest areas work and give the desired audio rather than the default 'ding' that your other POIs give. It would be worth using one or more of the three successful wav files (renamed to work with Dunkin Donut, Burger King, etc.) to see if these wav files work with these currently 'dinged' alert POIs. If so, then I suspect the wav files used with these restaurants, etc. are the problem and we can go from there.

In your responses, I don't think you've addressed the 'Along The Road,' 'Along The Route,' and 'TourGuide' issue. Since redlight, speed and rest area alerts are all along the roadway, and since many restaurant POI locations may oftentime be set back from the roadway, you should not expect an alert for many of these as you pass by. What happens when you create a route to a Dunkin Donut or Burger King? If the custom alert occurs as you arrive at the destination (but not just passing by), then the issue could be expecting an alert where no alert occurs and this could be resolved by using TourGuides. This was my first thought for your lack of alerts, but if correct, I remain befuddled by why these locations do give a 'ding' alert and that's why I asked earlier if the restaurant failures to offer a custom alert would give a 'ding.' Your response of a 'ding' in these cases and your past results with having all custom audio alerts up until this recent September are starting make me doubt the TourGuide issue but at this point, your device's strange alert behavior has me questioning more things than usual.

Are there any other things that changed in September besides losing several custom audio alerts; e.g., a new computer, an upgrade from Win7 to Win10, replacing an older nuvi with the 2598, etc?

Quote: Is it possible that

Quote:

Is it possible that with your drag and drop method you are creating shortcuts instead of copying the actual file?

I thought that too, so I went to my POI directory and clicked and played the audio files with the POI Factory site not open... they played fine...

actually, I'd like to go back the the original set up with audio files where I'd get a download menu instead of playing the audio when clicked, but I can't find anywhere on the site where I can change that... I would love it if that was the issue (even though I'd have to re-do my whole POI directory)... I dunno...

***does anyone know how to change what happens when an audio file is clicked on...?*** if I could change my default back, I could do another test...

--
no matter where you go, `dere you is...

Intersting thought

alandb wrote:

Is it possible that with your drag and drop method you are creating shortcuts instead of copying the actual file?

And yet another experiment for nucnsbubba to run:

With your current functioning and nonfunctioning custom audio alerts, POI Loader created a gpi file on the nuvi containing the POIs, custom audio, and any custom icons. Check the file size of this gpi file. Each loaded wav file should substantially increase the size of the gpi file.

Test 1: Now remove the custom audio alerts (all the wav files) for the nonfunctioning POIs like Dunkin D and Burger King, then run POI Loader and now recheck the gpi file size on the nuvi. This gpi file should be considerably smaller than the gpi file with all custom audio sounds. If the two gpi files are the same or very close to the same size, then it appears that these restaurant custom audio files are not being loaded and alandb's idea or other possibilities need to be looked into.

Test 2: You could also test the test procedure rolleyes by running POI Loader on your set of POIs but with the redlight, speed and rest area audio files not present. Since we know these files work when present, removing them should substantially decrease the size of the nuvi's gpi file giving you an idea of how much smaller the gpi could be in Test 1 without restaurant wav files.

Shortcuts.

Different browsers work differently, but with my version of Google Chrome, if I drag an audio file link from POI Factory to my desktop, it is a shortcut and not a file, and it will play as long as the internet connection is alive, whether or not POI Factory is open in the browser. It is easy to check just by right clicking and checking the properties.

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

Filesize

nucnsbubba wrote:
Quote:

Is it possible that with your drag and drop method you are creating shortcuts instead of copying the actual file?

I thought that too, so I went to my POI directory and clicked and played the audio files with the POI Factory site not open... they played fine...

actually, I'd like to go back the the original set up with audio files where I'd get a download menu instead of playing the audio when clicked, but I can't find anywhere on the site where I can change that... I would love it if that was the issue (even though I'd have to re-do my whole POI directory)... I dunno...

***does anyone know how to change what happens when an audio file is clicked on...?*** if I could change my default back, I could do another test...

Ah, could it be that you're using a new broswer now compared to pre-September? Different browsers may offer (reoffer?) the dropdown menu you expect.

If you use your method and download the wav file for Dunkin Donuts:

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/11688

what size file do you have in the "Dunkin Donuts 1.wav" downloaded file? It should be 106 KB (108,332 bytes) or so.

I think alandb may be onto something resembling a cure surprised

Quote: Here's an experiment

Quote:

Here's an experiment that may rule out a potential cause. Right now, your custom alerts used for redlight, speed and rest areas work and give the desired audio rather than the default 'ding' that your other POIs give. It would be worth using one or more of the three successful wav files (renamed to work with Dunkin Donut, Burger King, etc.) to see if these wav files work with these currently 'dinged' alert POIs. If so, then I suspect the wav files used with these restaurants, etc. are the problem and we can go from there.

a good idea... I have a Dunkin just about a tenth of a mile from me that I use for testing... back when it was working, the DD alert would go off all the time... I had to drop the distance to 900' to limit the alerts... (drove the wifey crazy... it would still alert twice when I get close... now it just dings...)

Quote:

In your responses, I don't think you've addressed the 'Along The Road,' 'Along The Route,' and 'TourGuide' issue. Since redlight, speed and rest area alerts are all along the roadway, and since many restaurant POI locations may oftentime be set back from the roadway, you should not expect an alert for many of these as you pass by.

I have not seen a 'Tour Guide' setting on the 2598... my typical setting for restaurants and the like is 1200' distance... and, of course, they had been functioning...

Quote:

Are there any other things that changed in September besides losing several custom audio alerts; e.g., a new computer, an upgrade from Win7 to Win10, replacing an older nuvi with the 2598, etc?

I have a Dell Laptop... I've been Windows 10 for a year... now, I have set up multiple Garmins on this laptop... I did set up another 2598 for my brother, and liked it so much that I bought one for myself... I didn't do a bunch of POIs on my brother's 2598... I did give him the Redlight and Speed files and associated audio files, but I've never thought to ask him if it ever talks to him... I will... (he lives out in the boonies of PA, so I don't know how many Redlight/Speed points he encounters...) then, the wifey liked the traffic function on mine, so I got her a 2599 for her and set that up... I believe the 2599 is having the same issues as my 2598, so I suspect something on my laptop to be the issue... she keeps hers in the house, so I need to go through setting both up and testing both at the same time... sorry, it looks like I haven't finished all of my homework...

--
no matter where you go, `dere you is...

Sounds

nucnsbubba wrote:
Quote:

Is it possible that with your drag and drop method you are creating shortcuts instead of copying the actual file?

I thought that too, so I went to my POI directory and clicked and played the audio files with the POI Factory site not open... they played fine...

actually, I'd like to go back the the original set up with audio files where I'd get a download menu instead of playing the audio when clicked, but I can't find anywhere on the site where I can change that... I would love it if that was the issue (even though I'd have to re-do my whole POI directory)... I dunno...

***does anyone know how to change what happens when an audio file is clicked on...?*** if I could change my default back, I could do another test...

Go back and remove the wav files you now have that are not working. Go back to POI Factory and right click on the attached wav file then select save link as . Double check your naming process.Suggestion. Make the name as short as possible.

Cracker Barrel.csv
Cracker Barrel.wav
Cracker Barrel.bmp

--
Charlie. Nuvi 265 WT and Nuvi 2597 LMT. MapFactor Navigator - Offline Maps & GPS.

seriously, thank all of you...

but I need to be away from the keyboard for a little while... I will respond and do the tests mentioned and get back to y`all asap... I really appreciate all of the help...

real quick, I use Firefox, so I'll set up in Chrome and see if the default changes... (I don't remember if I have right clicked on the audio files to see if I get a menu... I will...)

also, I will reconfirm file sizes... I should have thought of that...

thanks again... be back soon...

--
no matter where you go, `dere you is...

sounds

Both Chrome and Firefox is Save link as on right click . Firefox user here.

--
Charlie. Nuvi 265 WT and Nuvi 2597 LMT. MapFactor Navigator - Offline Maps & GPS.

sorry I've been away...

but I had a reality dose hit me pretty hard this week, but I'm dealing with it... I'm going to do some of these tests, and I'll let y`all know the results... checking file sizes first, followed by changing the 'drag `n drop' method...

thanks again...

--
no matter where you go, `dere you is...

I'm sure I've got it...!

it was the file size... all along, I've been saving shortcuts instead of the .wav file itself... since file size was not shown in my POI directory, I never noticed it... all of the file sizes were 1KB... obvious right away... now using the 'save file as' command...

now, I've got about 20 alerts to re-do, so I'm going to get to work here... not going out again tonight... I'll test again tomorrow and let y`all know the results...

(see... I knew youz all wuz smart guyz... wink )

--
no matter where you go, `dere you is...

Aha!

nucnsbubba wrote:

it was the file size...

Great news.

Yours was an odd issue since I can't remember ever hearing from others that most audio alerts were non-functional but three still worked.

Complicating matters were: 1) the alerts that did work just happened to be the three primary POI files that have all POI locations known to be near enough the roadway to always alert; 2) with the problem POIs, you were getting alerts, but not the custom alerts; and 3) your original post suggested to me that you really know how to get custom alerts and your OP also was more fully described with needed information than we normally read in a first post, making it hard to think that you were doing anything wrong.

So it all came down to a computer operating system and browser issue. At least the problem was a temporary one lasting under three months.

Sound files

nucnsbubba wrote:

it was the file size... all along, I've been saving shortcuts instead of the .wav file itself... since file size was not shown in my POI directory, I never noticed it... all of the file sizes were 1KB... obvious right away... now using the 'save file as' command...

now, I've got about 20 alerts to re-do, so I'm going to get to work here... not going out again tonight... I'll test again tomorrow and let y`all know the results...

(see... I knew youz all wuz smart guyz... wink )

Sounds like you got a handle on it now.Have fun with your unit.Sound files does add that extra touch. grin

--
Charlie. Nuvi 265 WT and Nuvi 2597 LMT. MapFactor Navigator - Offline Maps & GPS.

Final Confirmation... Problem Solved...

Thanks to everyone... at least it was something simple... yes, the Redlight/Speed alerts (as well as the Rest Area alerts) functioned normally because I never had any reason to change them, while I was switching and testing all the others...

if this comes up again for anyone, it was the "dragging and dropping" that got me into trouble...

Thanks again...

--
no matter where you go, `dere you is...