Thread: Alpha 100 US in EU, problems after fw downgrade & cure used

Originally Posted by Butters

So here's what i think has happened in order:

• You had an unknown version of older fw onboard ( V3.x?) which doesn't disable US frequencies in EU.
• Using GarminExpress, you accidentally updated to V7.8 and disabled US frequencies.
• You then tried to solve the problem the wrong way by using Cure fw to downgrade to V3.
• The device then stuck during startup and you thought it was bricked. (*see below)
• So now unfortunately the device is not accepting ORIGINAL V3 fw via Updater.exe.

^^Correct?

I guess you are right! Now, there is NO Garmin folder on the drive of the device, and no SD card.

Originally Posted by Butters

Your pic was not successfully attached so post it again if it's important info ongoing, but if it's only a shot of the device's screen stuck mid-boot don't bother.

Here's the picture that shows on the screen, when not in preboot (regardless if it is connected to USB or "freestanding")

Spoiler: pic 1

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Originally Posted by Butters

Another point, please remove the card from the device for the time being. We might have to use it later on to try something else if Updater.exe still doesn't work in the usual way to flash V3 original fw, but it's better it's not in the device while attempting recovery with Updater.

I did

Originally Posted by Butters

So working on the assumption that it's got cure fw V3 still onboard, please continue trying to flash ORIGINAL fw. If it won't accept V3 then flash V7.8. Also try other USB cables, use a desktop PC if possible and only a REAR USB2 port without a hub (not USB3). Be persistent. Sometimes it takes dozens of attempts to complete a flash using Updater with a stubborn device. Now if it still won't complete the flash don't panic or be tempted to try other things without referring back here because we do have other things to try but it gets riskier trying other methods when we can't be sure what's causing Updater to abort the flash now.

Please continue trying to get a complete flash and meantime post a copy of the GarminDevice.xml for me to examine but first open the copy in a text editor (Notepad is fine to use for this), Look for "<Id>" near the start, you'll see <Id>1234567890</Id> and remove or disguise the 10 digits before compressing into a ZIP or RAR and attaching to your post.

So, I followed the instructions, and here's what happens.
I have the Updater.exe and the fw v7.8 in the same folder.
I can enter the preboot mode without any problem. The Updater recognizes the device. For couple of times, it shows this error message, and then, falsely shows that it is updating the software.
I changed the USB slot from the front to the rear of the PC – same thing.

Spoiler: pic 2

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As you can see, the software version shows to be 3.2, although the version in the folder is 7.8.
If I hold this window for longer than 10 seconds, the device’s screen goes black (NOT OFF), and the Updater loses the connection again.

After a couple of times, it shows another error message (below).

Spoiler: pic 3

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After several more times, the following message came up (below). Now, it shows the version 7.8 and asks if I want to replace it with the same version. I pressed Yes. A Runtime Error message appeared, and disappeared in a second. Along with it, the Updater crashed and “disappeared” also. I though it could be because I left the device for a dozen seconds, before pressing the OK button on the Updater.exe window, but the same thing repeats itself every time, if I persist long enough.

Spoiler: pic 4

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I went again at it, and I pressed yes, and as the bar started to move, the screen went black again, and the connection was lost.

Spoiler: pic 5

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I repeated the cycle several times. By the time I reach the step where it shows fw version 7.8, the screen goes black, and the connection is lost, or, the Runtime Error appears, and the Updater.exe crashes.
This is where I stopped, and made this post.
With a risk of sounding redundant - I hope there's still hope.