Thread: Nuvi 1690 turns off when selecting "System"

Originally Posted by mallard2

regionfileonly GCD
GCDfileonly.GCD
Boot.bin

Anywhere I can read up on the above ??
Regards

The region file is meant to be used in conjunction with WebUpdater which downloads this file directly from Garmin and transfers the file to the nuvi. You can also download the region file (if you get the link from Update page source) and drag it to WebUpdater. Both methods will do the same thing and copy the region file to the nuvi as GUPDATE.GCD. After a power cycle, the nuvi will be updated to the version contained in GUPDATE.GCD.

Basically GCDfileonly.GCD is the same as the above regionfileonly GCD, see:

Code:

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This name is used for Asian firmware to distinguish it from other kind of updates using .exe files and which don't need Webupdater, but just nuvi connected USB.

GCD file contains 3 sections:
1 - boot.bin (It makes start your nuvi)
2 - logo.bin (Logo at splash screen=region 16)
3 - fw_all.bin.
You can disassemble *.GCD with turbooccc RGNTool ,look at what's inside and extract parts.

Lol Neil was faster

If you use cure tool, do you flash at the end with original FW?
If you flash with cure nuvi will stuck on logo but if you set in cure tool on Original and then flash your nuvi will turn on.

Flash with this in pre boot:

http://www53.zippyshare.com/v/16814271/file.html

I'm a bit hazy on exact reasoning for the different terminology, other than maybe for easy id of files, but basically there's no difference between the same gcd files. A file named, for example, 'nuvi16xxEU_regionfileonly__390.gcd' is meant to be used with WebUpdater or GarminExpress to be uploaded to the unit via that software and it will be placed on the device as GUPDATE.GCD. You can do the same yourself by renaming 'nuvi16xxEU_regionfileonly__390.gcd' to 'gupdate.gcd' and plonking it in the 1690's .System folder. On the next boot cycle the firmware will update regardless of how gupdate.gcd was put there.

I personally prefer to convert the gcd file to an rgn file using RGN_Tool and upload it in preboot using updater.exe.

The 'boot.bin' (self-explanatory name) is but one major component of the firmware, the other 2 in the 1690 fw are 'fw_all.bin' and 'fw1_resources.bin' and all together make up the *.gcd and *rgn files. You can look closer at fw using a hex editor such as XVI32:

Code:

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If you want to get into fw in-depth, best to google for some tech pages.

Other 1xxx devices will boot with the internal memory completely empty, but the 1690/1695 models are quite different to the others. I'd reformat again with RMPrepUSB, reload the files from your backup and reboot. My AU 1690 sticks on logo on about every third or fourth boot, but always boots up when forced off and restarted. They really are flaky units as i said and i consider them to be problematic.

look here
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Originally Posted by mallard2

Thanks again ....

Going to try one last time & if no success ,it's back in the drawer with the 1690

Thanks

After formatting create an empty folder named Garmin
This sometimes helps. Because Nuvi needs to write /Garmin/Garmindevice.xml at first boot and every boot thereafter.

Originally Posted by mallard2

Well, It's all back to how it was before

i.e All OK until I press the "system icon" ,then the units turns off !!

Back in the "to do " drawer I'm afraid ,until something turns up on here or I have a "flash" of inspiration.

Thanks to all who tried

Regards

Originally Posted by dasilvarsa

After formatting create an empty folder named Garmin
This sometimes helps. Because Nuvi needs to write /Garmin/Garmindevice.xml at first boot and every boot thereafter.

Try to keep up Dasil, he means he's back to square one LOL! He's cured it and reformatted a couple of times, reloaded the files and now still has his original problem i.e. Tools>Settings>System results in the unit crashing every time.

@mallard2
Did you try booting up without any folders/files? I mean nothing, completely empty. I wasn't clear perhaps that's what you should try. If you didn't try booting it without any files please try again one more time. No need to cure or reformat again, just delete everything [although i suspect especially keyboards as maybe a likely culprit]. The other 1xxx models will boot with the files system empty, but I haven't tried with a 1690. It it boots, check if the System icon still crashes it. If it doesn't boot, create the Garmin folder only as dasilvarsa said and retry with that 'cos it should boot for sure. If it doesn't crash on that test, don't reload any of your original files, connect to WebUpdater to get fresh ones.

If that fails, you may as well open the stupid thing and drain all power by disconnecting the battery for some hours. You've spent so much time on it now that another 5 or 10 minutes is nothing. Sometimes there is something written wrongly or corrupt in a unit's volatile member so it's worth a try as a last resort. You'll need a Torx Number 5 (T5) and a case tool or an old credit card or itunes gift card will do to open it. Follow this video to access the battery and be careful disconnecting and reconnecting the lead to the mo:



Good luck .....