Satnav no longer gets recognised by computer

[Scavvy]

Hi, so basically I have a Nuvi 2597LMT but I can't update the map. It still charges and can be used, I just have to find another map and copy it to sd card. I'm guessing its a hardware issue with the mini usb port? My old nuvi still connects to the laptop just fine.
I've wiped and reset the faulty nuvi and reinstalled garmin express, but it still doesn't get recognised. Is this common? And has someone else been able to fix this issue themselves or would it have to be repaired by a professional? Hoping it's a fix I can attempt myself.

[Butters]

Can it be seen by the computer in Mass Storage Mode/Media Transport Protocol? If it is then post again with more details.

If not seen by computer then it's likely a hardware failure, the most common of which is a failure of the USB socket connections to the PCB and if that's so in your case it's partial as only the data connection is affected because it can still charge. That's easily fixed by re-flowing the solder connections. Plenty of videos on youtube showing how to do that. Use plenty of flux and leaded solder if you can get it and strengthen the socket's mounting points too as they are weak from the factory.

[Scavvy]

It's not seen by the computer at all. I'll check out the youtube videos thanks, but tbh I may just use it as is. If I start waving a soldering iron about it probably wont end well.

[Butters]

There's always the slight chance that the problem is due to a hardware component of the PCB although the vast majority of such failures involving USB connection (data transfer, changing or both) are due to the physical connections from the socket to the board itself. Despite your reluctance, if you have any soldering experience at all and only a cheap soldering iron it's not a big job to re-flow the connections. The main issue for novices is not using enough flux which results in bridged connections.

If you decide not to "start waving a soldering iron about" (don't point that thing at me, lol) then the device can be successfully updated from the media card using text commands. It's possible to delete, overwrite or add files and entire folders from the card that way. Read this thread: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]. You can obtain all updates such as lifetime maps and other ancillary files using a 'clone' of your nuvi. Make a copy of it's GarminDevice.xml and put it in a folder named GARMIN on an otherwise empty USB stick then GarminExpress will update it, just as if would the device itself. You can then transfer the files to the device using the txt commands from an inserted microSD card. If you need further help with any of that post again here or in that thread.

[Scavvy]

Can't get it to work, I've updated it to :

copy,0:/Garmin/GarminDevice.xml,1:/Garmin/GarminDevice.xml
reboot

but after loading maps comes up on screen it just freezes for a few seconds then switches itself off.

[Garman_Nuvi]

Do you know what your HWID is ?
Use this template with your device ID number, then you will be able to use it on an SD card with Garmin Express to get all the latest files for your device

Spoiler: Edit Template garmindevice.xml

Please Login or Register to see the links

[Butters]

Can't get it to work, I've updated it to :

copy,0:/Garmin/GarminDevice.xml,1:/Garmin/GarminDevice.xml
reboot

This device has hidden RWFS partition from recollection. In that case the path "1:/" is to it not the media card which uses "2:/".

but after loading maps comes up on screen it just freezes for a few seconds then switches itself off.

If my assertion that it reads 2:/ as the card is correct, then perhaps the RWFS partition is near full and doesn't have enough space to copy even the modestly-sized XML file using 1. Try again with "copy,0:/Garmin/GarminDevice.xml,2:/Garmin/GarminDevice.xml".

[Scavvy]

Slight progress, have cloned to SD card and updated files. Just can't transfer them to the satnav using the text commands.

So have updated files on SD card now, but text commands wont transfer them to the satnav

[Garman_Nuvi]

Just run them from the SD card, you only have to rename & rearrange the file structure.

Please Login or Register to see the links

Were you able recover your own garmindevice.xml or did you use the template.

[Scavvy]

I used the template, once I put my device id in it garmin express recognised it thanks. Will restructure my sd card and report back the outcome.