aera 795 stuck on 'Loader' after fw update (could getting Unit ID from GMA or UNL files help?)

**MY58002** · 5th May 2020, 09:09 PM

Hello,

Guys my device (Aera795) did not install updates correctly and gets stuck when I turn it on. I installed some software updates using Garmin WebUpdater. It now boots, Garmin logo shows up together with software version and other stuff. Untill now everything is as usual. After a few seconds the logo disappears and reappears again but now with "LOADING..." displayed under it. This lasts for several hours but nothing happens. The power button does not work and the only way to turn this off is disconnecting the battery.

I think I would be able to try and update it again using an SD card but I first need to obtain the Unit ID number. The only thing I have is the following three files on the SD card: GMAPSUPP.GMA, GMAPSUPP.IMG and GMAPSUPP.UNL . I do not know what kind of map this is.

Is there please any way to get the Unit ID of my device from the files I have or any other way?

Thank you!
M.

**Bushwalker8** · 6th May 2020, 12:39 AM

You have an aviation unit and don't know what the map on the SD card is?
The map and it's associated files will most likely be unique to the card ID, not the device.
If you can provide the code in the UNL that map on the card can be identified. It's simply asciii text, use notepad or similar.
As for the device itself you could try contacting Garmin with the serial number and ask them for the ID.

**MY58002** · 6th May 2020, 07:50 PM

All aviation databases (they do not call them maps) are stored directly onto unit's built in memory, not on SD cards. The map on the SD card is something which was in the unit when I bought it from previous owner a long time ago. It does not affect the databases in any way.
Using GMapTool I discovered the map is:
CN Europe NT 2012.20 ALL
PID 1
FID 2473
U: PJDUT-VWFGX-YLY2H-3RRS6-GJLQT
UNL: T4F8F8HKUMPBZLSD8W6GV5UJC

Thanks for any help.

**Butters** · 8th May 2020, 04:07 AM

@MY58002
If your Aera is otherwise healthy with no physical flash damage, then the symptom of "LOADING" constantly on the screen means that it's trying to load an update. Probably that update file is corrupt or incomplete which is why it can't load. In other words, the device is soft 'bricked'.

I'm not sure why you feel it's necessary to obtain the UID, but if you have a backup you can look at the file named GarminDevice.xml contained in the Garmin folder. If the device can attain pre-boot then you can get the UID from [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]. Look here for more info on 3 methods to find HWID: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]. You can see the UID by the same methods. You'll likely going to need to 'cure' the device by loading a modified software in any case so that you can re-enable Mass Storage Mode (MSM) to delete likely offending files. See Cure3 link below for how to make a cure firmware which can only be loaded via Updater.exe with the device in pre-boot mode, another reason to hope pre-boot's available. You should also check it's HWID so as to be sure you get the right firmware to modify. Links to read:
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] (I think preboot screen hold position is likely upper left corner, if not it's lower left corner).

It's worth checking if MSM is actually still available. It's unlikely but to see, ensure the device is fully off and then plug it into a PC. If 'loader' starts up on the screen before you see a computer tower symbol on it then it's not going to work. If MSM is there, you can delete any software files - look for files with extension of .GCD and .BIN in particular.

**Garman_Nuvi** · 8th May 2020, 08:54 AM

Unit ID 2171088435 will be the SD card serial number

It could be worth looking in the following locations for the Unit ID
C:\ProgramData\Garmin\CoreService\Devices
C:\ProgramData\Garmin\CoreService\device_data_store.xml
C:\ProgramData\Garmin\CoreService\preloaded_maps.xml

**MY58002** · 8th May 2020, 09:09 PM

Thank you so much for your support!

I read all of the links you listed and I have a feeling that entering pre-boot mode is a crucial step to continue further. I understand it usually requires pressing down on a specific touch screen area while plugging the USB cable in.
Well I tried all the corners, above G and G letter in "Garmin" but no success so far. There are 4 touch keys below the screen so I will try to play with it a little more but it seems the combinations are endless.

Thanks again! I really appreciate your help.

BTW. I wanted to get the UID in order to see if one can download the fimware from Garmin website instead of the WebUpdater package. Reading through the Cure tool thread I discovered there actually is a way to do this easilly without UID. Awesome!

**MY58002** · 9th May 2020, 10:13 PM

Gentelmen,

I have made some progress here. I am able now to enter pre-boot (insert USB and immediatelly afterwards press and hold the power button for 5 seconds). Using the GarminCure3 tool kinda works but not fully.

I am able to download the right GCD file, make an RGN file, enter preboot mode and start the updater in GarminCure3. The Updater updates (first I see LOADER READY and then LOADER LOADING on the device) something although it is quite quick. Then the unit restarts (this causes the device to disconnect) and then the updater returns the following error message:

Spoiler: pic1

I thought maybe I need to help the unit to enter preboot mode again. In this case, the unit connects back after restart and now I see two different outcomes:
The Updater continues with the update but then gets stuck at 2% and crashes - this is very quick (this happens when I start holding the power button quickly once I see it has restarted) or I get another message:

Spoiler: pic2

I also tried to modify the RGN file with RGN Tool but no success here. There are no ".gcd" strings in the file. There are several ".bin" strings but changing them did not work.

I was not able to load a cured firmware so I did not get into MSM. I am wondering if there is a procedure to force MSM on this device. There is one for Oregon 7x0 devices.

Thanks a ton for your support!

**Butters** · 9th May 2020, 11:10 PM

Have you removed the SD card before trying to flash the cure fw?

**MY58002** · 10th May 2020, 08:13 AM

Yes, it has been removed before loading. I actually do not use SD card in the unit. I only remembered there used to be the SD card I mentioned in the first post but otherwise the unit does not need it.

GCD file: aera7xx_560
HWID: 1364
UID: [REMOVED FOR PRIVACY]

Thanks.

**Butters** · 10th May 2020, 01:26 PM

Try by holding the power button AFTER you've loaded the RGN cure file into Updater.exe. I think that the flash isn't being properly initiated before the device exits preboot, so keep the updater GUI visible with the RGN loaded with the radio button next to 'USB Device' enabled, connect USB and quickly press the device power button and keep holding it watching updater's GUI. IMMEDIATELY you see the device details in the window adjacent to 'USB Device' click OK button or just hit enter on your PC's keyboard. You may need to fluke the timing, so just keep trying the process over and over until you catch the right moment. Once the flash starts properly the device will hold in preboot until it finishes. If you have to do it again, force the device fully OFF by holding the power button down for between 10 and 30 seconds. If it can't be turned off in 30 seconds then you'll need to remove the battery each time.