Thread: Approach S2J not reading internal flash memory

UPDATE1: after formatting with MRP, I'm able to have the watch working again!
I put all the info in the RMP thread - still haven't recovered the full flash memory space.

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UPDATE2: the full storage size has been recovered. All information in above thread link.

UPDATE3: I've done a short VDO to document the whole process

Spoiler: YT video

Hi, The guy from Youtube here. I'm thinking that my issue with the S2 is that since I dont have a backup of the maps. When my S2 is reading the firmware and not finding any Gmasup files it's thinking that this should be an other watch. Therefor the Garmin Express is thinking its the Vivoactive HR.
Any chance that anyone have the Gmapsup files. At least I could try and put that on the sd card. Because my SD card is reading since I get the Time zone file working.
Sounds crazy?

@jonte
What HWID is showing for your S2? Look in its GarminDevice.xml (located in the Garmin folder of the device, it should be visible in Windows File Explorer via Mass Storage Mode).

It shouldn't be identifying as a Vivoactive HR unless it's had inappropriate firmware flashed to it which has changed its HWID. The HR certainly has Golf functions however it's a much more broadly versatile watch than the golf-specific Approach S2.

Your problem seems unusual because even if GarminExpress is somehow reading the wrong HWID and mis-identifying the device it should still update/replace the entitled detail mapping based on its UID (Unit Identification) number - that's regardless of a changed HWID. The fixed UID and its present HWID should also be available on the device itself, look for "About" page via settings.

I've not got access to either device presently however i don't recall them having a media card slot for extended memory.

Hi Jonas
Neil directions are identical to the one I gave you on YT

Spoiler: YT video

Check the GarminDevice.xml: <Description> tag has to be S2 (Not vivoactive HR).

If not S2, erase (delete) every file on the watch using Windows Explorer, then do a Master rest.
It takes time for the watch firmware to rewrite all file, so be patient.

You need to get the watch recognized as an S2 by Garmin Express, then you be able to reinstall the map (from Garmin Express).

And yes, there is no media card, I think you mean the flash memory.

Thanks to both of you. I chatted a bit withChris and this is my take on this. According to Garmin they made this model obselite in sep 2023. And since they dont offer service/repair on it they dont offer software update. To me this is a joke. But thats what they are saying.

I tried connecting it to Garmin Express without wifi and true a 2.0 usb hub. Then I got a error message saying that this model is not compatible with Garmin Express. But i recognized the watch and its serial number.

This is the top part of my .xml file

<Device xmlns="http://www.garmin.com/xmlschemas/GarminDevice/v2" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.garmin.com/xmlschemas/GarminDevice/v2 http://www.garmin.com/xmlschemas/GarminDevicev2.xsd">
<Model>
<PartNumber>006-B1649-00</PartNumber>
<SoftwareVersion>290</SoftwareVersion>
<Description>Approach S2</Description>
</Model>

Spoiler: Click for Image/s

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Here are some pictures from adding the watch to Garmin Express and syncing it to Garmin Connect.

Everything looks correct. But when I connect the watch to Connect I recive an email from Garmin saying: Thanks for connecting your Garmin Vivoactive HR to Garmin Connect.

Spoiler: Click for Image/s

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correct flash drive

If I add the seriel nr or id number in support search it comes up as a Vivoactive HR.

Code:

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This is the firmware that matches my watch from Gmaptool: ApproachS2_260.gcd
I get that to load and everything. But nothing helps.

1. Please use the "EDIT" function to add information to your previous post rather than make further consecutive posts.
2. Large images must be wrapped in Spoiler tags or posts and threads become cluttered and hard to read.
3. Code external links other than upload host sites.

Please read the Rules again: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]. Thanks.

Re-loading the same version firmware doesn't help you re-load maps for courses if V2.90 is the latest and final version anyway. Sometimes a firmware update is mandatory before being offered map updates but from your images it's not even being offered any paid updates for courses. It might not be compatible with new course maps due to limited memory size for example.

The device being mis-identified as a Vivosmart HR by the Garmin Help site and Connect is of no real consequence because it's correctly identified as an Approach S2 by GarminExpress - which where you must obtain official mapping updates for an S2. Being an older and now unsupported device the S2 it's likely not compatible with GarminConnect. It's certainly neither in the list of supported devices for GarminGolf nor Garmin's MapManager in any case. BTW, you mentioned using a USB hub. Don't connect any Garmin device to your PC via a hub, USB3 port or front port or you may not get a proper and reliable connection whether using GE or just Windows File Explorer. Always use only a Windows PC (not a Mac) and connect directly via a rear USB2 port only using only Garmin's supplied USB charging cable to avoid connection problems.

When you click on "Purchases" (Köpt) in GarminEXpress > Tools & Content/Accessories (Verktyg och annehåll) does it show any maps you bought or original factory-installed map content that you can re-install?
Example reference only:

Spoiler:

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If you can't re-install previous courses from a backup or via GE and you don't wish to buy new ones from Garmin or they won't supply them because the S2 is unsupported then your only option is to obtain the required IMG files from another Approach - but they will be locked to that specific device and you'll need to unlock them with gimgunlock V0.0.4 (google it, you won't find it in this forum due to Rules here). Being an older device it likely doesn't have any firmware protection like MSV & GSV in V2.90. It certainly didn't in V2.60 anyway:

Code:

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So a Course map *.img file will work provided it's unlocked and MSV stripped out by "gimunlock-0.0.4.exe" - even if in worst case scenario you have to roll back fw to V2.60 - but that's unlikely.

EDIT:
PS. I think V2.60 is actually the latest fw and so it's strange that your XML shows "SoftwareVersion>290</SoftwareVersion>". Did you copy/paste that directly from the S2's GarminDevice.xml file or is it a typo?

Hi

Thanks so much for your input. I've read on the Garmin support forum that some people have experienced that updates by the Garmin Express. Have "mixed" up serial numbers in Garmins database. I dont really see why there is one serial number on the back of the watch and one in the flashmemory and one id inside the watch. And two of theese think that the watch is an Vivo and one an Approch S2.


The USB hub think was someting I just tried. Normally I dont use it. I sort of been trying to get someting trigger the watch or garmin express.

Under purchase there is nothing. And according to the swedish Garmin support I cant purchase a map package. This model also says that it comes with preloaded courses.

I was so stupid that I didnt backup the watch when this first started. But the Swedish Garmin Support was so certain that the removal of all Gmapsxxx files and an update in Garmin Express would sort this out so I just delated them. That will never happen again.

Regarding the software. This is a little bit strange as well. If I use Garmin Cure and download the 2.60 firmware. Sometimes I get the Garmin Express to install an update to SW 2.90. BUT. It only says SW 2.90 in Garmin Connect. Not in Garmin Express where it says 2.60.

I sent a request into the forum trying to get them to check the database.But I just got a response saying contact costumer support. Unfortenetly costumer support is hiding behaind that its an old watch.

1) I will try and find the gmapxxx files and see if I can unlock them. Do you think it has to be an S2 or can it be a newer model like S12 and I can unlock them?

2)
If I add the timezon file onto the watch and i put it in automatic time and it locates the satelites and it updates the time would this be evidence that the flashdrive is beaing read? I would think so.

3)
From what I understand there should be no extra partions on the flashdrive. Right?

4)
I also downloaded an old version of Golfcourseviewer. and it recognises the right watch but it doesnt have any connection with the server. I guess this is not open any more.

5)
The device being mis-identified as a Vivosmart HR by the Garmin Help site and Connect is of no real consequence because it's correctly identified as an Approach S2 by GarminExpress

6)
Yesterday I also tried making changes in the xml file to see if I could trigger the Expressto find an S2 watch. Changing the

But its not being identified in garmin express as well. But the only way you can see that in Garmin Express is by the picture. But inConnect it has the right image...It so funny.

Once again thanks so much and please excuse my bad english and that im not beeing very clear.

Spoiler: GArmin forum support

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Originally Posted by jonte

.................
Regarding the software. This is a little bit strange as well. If I use Garmin Cure and download the 2.60 firmware. Sometimes I get the Garmin Express to install an update to SW 2.90. BUT. It only says SW 2.90 in Garmin Connect. Not in Garmin Express where it says 2.60.

Latest is V2.60 according to Garmin:

Code:

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They always remove previous firmware links from their servers when they issue a later version and i'm unable to find any reference to a version 2.90 anywhere. V2.60 was issued over 10 years ago. I wonder if someone has made a hacked version and named it V2.90 though.

I sent a request into the forum trying to get them to check the database.But I just got a response saying contact costumer support. Unfortenetly costumer support is hiding behaind that its an old watch.

Yes. They do that all the time. If a device is moved to their discontinued/unsupported list you can forget about getting proper help unless it's been the subject of a recall (burning batteries is a good one, frightens the bejeezus out of them), but barring safety concerns they're not really interested in old devices' problems.

1) I will try and find the gmapxxx files and see if I can unlock them. Do you think it has to be an S2 or can it be a newer model like S12 and I can unlock them?

I can't see why not provided they're in *.img format. Also the device has to have enough space on it's flash memory. And that may be the issue, later course maps might be too big and you may have to settle for very old files.

2)
If I add the timezon file onto the watch and i put it in automatic time and it locates the satelites and it updates the time would this be evidence that the flashdrive is beaing read? I would think so.

Not necessarily for absolute certainty. But if you can see a reference to the tz map on the device itself it would be 100% for sure. I think those devices may need a basemap (gmapbmap.img) too ... maybe. Perhaps ChrisJP can tell you.

3)
From what I understand there should be no extra partions on the flashdrive. Right?

Yes. Read the exchange between ChrisJP and Butters from here: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] (Post #69>). If you've correctly re-formatted using RMPrepUSB it should be fine.

4)
I also downloaded an old version of Golfcourseviewer. and it recognises the right watch but it doesnt have any connection with the server. I guess this is not open any more.

I think that program has been totally depreciated and abandoned by Garmin, the hyperlink named "Garmin CourseView Updater" in the Approach S2 firmware page goes to GarminExpress now.

5)
The device being mis-identified as a Vivosmart HR by the Garmin Help site and Connect is of no real consequence because it's correctly identified as an Approach S2 by GarminExpress

Because only GarminExpress (and possibly WebUpdater) can supply you with official firmware/software, and exclusively GE can supply official course maps ... but as you know isn't even offering them for purchase.

6)
Yesterday I also tried making changes in the xml file to see if I could trigger the Expressto find an S2 watch. Changing the

But its not being identified in garmin express as well. But the only way you can see that in Garmin Express is by the picture. But inConnect it has the right image...It so funny.

If you re-boot it after making changes they'll be overwritten by the device from its non-volatile memory. You'll have to leave it connected to the PC without disconnecting or restarting to preserve the changes, however it's not likely to make any difference. I think the problem is that Garmin's servers have been programmed to no longer offer any updates to those devices.

Once again thanks so much and please excuse my bad english and that im not beeing very clear.

You're English is way better than my Svenska and anyway i mostly understand you as much as a native EN speaker with a difficult Garmin problem. Good luck finding the maps you need and if you do we can help you with loading them, but general advice only of course .

Update:

Thanks so much. I sent a private mess. But I dont know if you got it?

So I got a hold of three maps. Gmapsup 1, 2, and 3. Loaded them into the watch and the three fits on the memory.
I think its Medium asia Gmapsup 1, Medium pacifik Gmapsup 2 and medium Europe .....Gmapsup 3

1)
I get the watch to read Gmapsup 1 and 2 but not the Gmapsum 3. I have unlocked them all with Gingunlock. .

I checked the maps in Basecamp and it shows that the files are correct and no errors.

The file I need is Gmapsum 3 (Europe). What I did was this. When you install Basecamp you also get Webupdater. Here you can update the watch to latest software. ( I dont think my was wrong but I started there)
Then I Delated Gmapsum 1 and 2. Then I renamed Gmapsum 3 to Gmapsum 1 .

Restarted watch and checked service mode. Now I got the original Gmapsum to beeing read.

Restared the watch. And I/we got the Fuxxxxxx to work. It found my nearest course. And I could start.
This is amazing. And a lot of cred to you guys:!

2)
Still the same things with Garmin Express. It still shows up as a Vivoactive HR. It doesnt change anything on Express.

I will contact the Swedish support again and give them all the id, serial numbers and have them change it in some database. But we all know that they will not help out. But I hope they will surprice me.

Otherwise I'll use the watch for as long as I have the course...