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  1. #1
    Important User smokefree's Avatar
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    Default How to see a GPSmap 278 as a mass storage device?

    I have a GPSmap 278, FW version 3.50, in fully working condition. However, when I hook it up to my PC (Windows 7, latest Garmin USB drivers installed), it is not recognised at all. It also does not power up when connecting to USB. Do I need to change any setting for it to be recognised as a mass storage device?


    Edit 1:
    When connecting the USB cable while the unit is on, the screen shows a message "USB connected", but still I am unable to see the device on my PC.

    Edit 2:
    Holding the "UP" button for 30 seconds when connecting the device to USB (which I read somewhere) does not help either: the device stays off. Tried a different (Garmin original) USB cable, still no luck.
    Last edited by smokefree; 22nd November 2014 at 06:28 PM.

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  3. #2
    Navigation software expert How to see a GPSmap 278 as a mass storage device?
    How to see a GPSmap 278 as a mass storage device?How to see a GPSmap 278 as a mass storage device?How to see a GPSmap 278 as a mass storage device?
    Giomen's Avatar
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    This device do not have any memory types (drives) that are supported in mass storage mode. It is the really Garmin design!
    Garmin, how much is 30 pieces of silver for Judas today? Were they worthy for crucifix of GPSPower?

  4. #3
    Important User smokefree's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Giomen View Post
    This device do not have any memory types (drives) that are supported in mass storage mode.
    That being the case, where do I find the pre-loaded CN Europe NT map (as mentioned on the right hand side of page 8 from the instruction manual)? How do I update the FW if the device is not recognised by WebUpdater or Garmin Express? How do I load maps without using a memory card? How do I transfer routes or tracks from BaseCamp to the device if it is not recognised by BaseCamp?

    FTbTbkz

  5. #4
    Navigation software expert How to see a GPSmap 278 as a mass storage device?
    How to see a GPSmap 278 as a mass storage device?How to see a GPSmap 278 as a mass storage device?How to see a GPSmap 278 as a mass storage device?
    Giomen's Avatar
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    Mass storage mode is not needed and is NOT used for all operation that you mentioned.

    For changing preloading map you must use updater.exe with special key for writing certain region. Read forum threads for 276, StreetPilot or other old fashioned Garmin device.
    Other map is installing by Mapsource into memory card only. Memory card have proprietary Garmin format and there are only two way to write map on it:
    the first, insert card into device and use device USB port,
    the second, buy not cheaper Garmin card reader if you want write map without devise on hand.

    For FW you must use the same updater.exe with downloaded files from garmin.com. But for me dashboard.com work fine too. Garmin Webupdater is present too.

    For all you data (tracks, points, routes) you must use Mapsource, Basecamp or other Garmin compatible programs for USB port. Also you can use very slow COM port on device at all classic fashioned GIS and PC.

    Mass storage mode is only for direct operation with files but this device do not have such drive to say again...
    Garmin, how much is 30 pieces of silver for Judas today? Were they worthy for crucifix of GPSPower?

  6. #5
    Garmin/GPS Systems GMod. How to see a GPSmap 278 as a mass storage device?
    How to see a GPSmap 278 as a mass storage device?How to see a GPSmap 278 as a mass storage device?How to see a GPSmap 278 as a mass storage device?How to see a GPSmap 278 as a mass storage device?How to see a GPSmap 278 as a mass storage device?How to see a GPSmap 278 as a mass storage device?How to see a GPSmap 278 as a mass storage device?
    Neil's Avatar
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    SF, it's quite possible to load a detail map using command prompt or a text command in a .bat file and invoke WebUpdater to do the task. GPSMAP278 uses the same regions as StreetPilots 26x0 & 27x0 and that's region 3 for the basemap, 49 for the primary detail map and probably 50 for an oem map [that's reserved for a map with dealer PIO's for instance and they're usually quite small, won't work with all maps particularly bigger CNNT types] I'm not sure rgn 50 is available to all these older units so best not to write anything to it unless you're sure. Region 10 is the Garmin data card. They are usually supplied pre-loaded with mapping and can be reprogrammed as Giomen said, or you can write the new map with the card in the unit using similar commands as for the other 2 regions. That also works with SPc3x0 to write gmapsupp.img as an rgn to the SD card when inserting in the unit [tested] and i suppose would work to write to the inserted CF card of 26x0, but it's quite academic there as card reader/writers for those media are freely available unlike for Garmin data cards. Those region numbers are in Decimal by the way.

    You can read about the commands for rgn49 [it's the same for 50] here: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]. Garmin data card info here: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ].

    Another supplementary map [gmapsupp.img] can be sent to the unit using Sendmap20, or from a PC installed version via MapInstall or MapSource. I don't know to what region that map is sent, if anyone knows please post it.

    If you want to use the Updater.exe flash for maps, you need to change the map's .img extension to .bin, load it into RGN_Tool and save it as an .rgn file. Then open the file in a hex editor and search near the start of the file for 'R' in plain text [hex 52], you'll usually find it at offset 0x31 from memory. The next number after 52 will have been auto-saved as 33 by RGN_Tool, so you can also search in hex for '52 33'. Then change 33 to the region you require in hex [03 for rgn3, 0A for rgn10 (media card), 31 for rgn49 or 32 for rgn50 as applicable] and save the changes to the rgn file. The rgn file can then be flashed using Updater.exe. You don't need to find pre-boot with these units, they are constantly in a kind of pre-boot mode.

    Whichever method you use, your currently loaded maps will be overwritten of course. If you want to just delete a supplementary map to gain more space for a primary map, you can do that using Sendmap20.

    PS: These units cannot be updated by GE for either mapping or software. Use either MapUpdater for purchased maps or WebUpdater for software, audio packs etc.
    Last edited by Neil; 24th November 2014 at 03:14 AM. Reason: typos.
    'Thanking Posts' are banned. To thank someone, and/or to see hidden links and content, use the [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] button below left of the helpful post then refresh your browser [F5 key]. 'Thanking Posts' are banned.
    Please don't spam. Posts serving no purpose other than to thank or to ask about hidden links are trashed or deleted, it's GPSPower's policy. Please don't spam.
    [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] should make their first post as a new Intro Thread in [Only registered and activated users can see links. ].

  7. #6
    Important User smokefree's Avatar
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    Downloaded FW v3.60 (.exe file) and flashed successfully (instructions on Garmin website).
    Thanks for your contributions. I learned a few things again!

  8. #7
    Garmin/GPS Systems GMod. How to see a GPSmap 278 as a mass storage device?
    How to see a GPSmap 278 as a mass storage device?How to see a GPSmap 278 as a mass storage device?How to see a GPSmap 278 as a mass storage device?How to see a GPSmap 278 as a mass storage device?How to see a GPSmap 278 as a mass storage device?How to see a GPSmap 278 as a mass storage device?How to see a GPSmap 278 as a mass storage device?
    Neil's Avatar
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    Loading fw using a Garmin .exe is simply an automated way of opening an .rgn file in Updater.exe is all. It's just those 2 files custom packed. If you extract the exe you'll find the two files, dragging the rgn onto Updater.exe has exactly the same effect as running the exe file.
    'Thanking Posts' are banned. To thank someone, and/or to see hidden links and content, use the [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] button below left of the helpful post then refresh your browser [F5 key]. 'Thanking Posts' are banned.
    Please don't spam. Posts serving no purpose other than to thank or to ask about hidden links are trashed or deleted, it's GPSPower's policy. Please don't spam.
    [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] should make their first post as a new Intro Thread in [Only registered and activated users can see links. ].

 

 

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