Thread: Garmin 255W need help

Don't worry about the GPX folder, it's part of the plethora of stuff the device uses.

Your device clearly doesn't have a Lifetime Maps entitlement however, so you'd certainly expect to have to pay to update the detail map thru Garmin. There are sites where you can get 'unofficial' map updates but not here as it breaches the forum rules.

GE however should have offered to let you download the last version to which the device is entitled, i.e. the last paid-for version, or if no updates have been previously bought then at least re-offered the original factory-loaded one. That's what i was asking about in Post #11:

Originally Posted by Neil

Did GE offer to re-install detail maps? .....

If you've already replaced the detail map entitlement, then that would've been reflected in the GarminDevice.xml and so when it's read by GE the paid-for options are the only offers you can expect. Every time you boot the device fully the XML is re-written to reflect the current status of many items, including info about the current detail map loaded. GE should also have optionally offered other files like VPM voice files, SRF Vehicle files and others.

If you haven't already let the device get an effective GPS fix after it's got a detail map and basemap onboard you should get a fix now then drive around for a bit to test that it's routing correctly.

Hi Neil:

Well looks like we've come to the end of the road with this unit, as I don't see the value in spending $70.00 CDN on an old outdated unit. GE doesn't seem to offer the original factory-loaded one either which would have been great had it did.

I'd like to thank you once again for all the help you've provided to get me to this point, it was quite the learning experience. Amazing what you can do with computers now a days.

With navigation now on phones I don't imagine GPS's are as common, though if not in cell service I can see where a GPS could prove beneficial. Should I have issues in the future I know where I can come and get help.

Cheers

Jack

As cost-free effort you could try a manual hard-reset. With it fully OFF [not in standby], hold the lower right corner of the screen and move the power button to the left then back to the middle (not the right locked position). Hold the screen until you see "Do you really want to erase all user data?" then select the "Yes" button. That will factory-reset it again. If still not offered the OEM detail maps by GE you could ring Garmin support .... but i think i'd rather gargle broken glass than subject myself to those guys.

Otherwise, you can put OSM mapping data on it also without any cost. Quite frankly for any older 'frill-free' devices like nuvi 2 series, they're more than adequate and some pre-compiled mapsets as IMG files are available for users who don't want the hassle of compiling their own. If interested, go here for starters or google for more:

Code:

Please Login or Register to see the links

Short answer: Yes ... but ...[cough] ...

Long answer: It's quite possible to do that, although questionably legal because you must manipulate the map IMG file so it can then be used in a different device, i.e. it must first be 'unlocked' because its GMA protection binds the map exclusively to the device for which it's been licensed. Bypassing that protection by stripping out the mapping data's GMA code is a breach of Garmin's EULA and accordingly we can't help you 'hands-on' in this forum. BTW, unless your busted 265W has an LM entitlement the detail map on it is going it be very out of date anyway so hardly worth the effort. However, there are several easy-to-find sources where you can obtain current maps and a tool to unlock locked maps - look for the file gimgunlock.exe - "Garmin Image Unlocker" along with a locked map, or even easier you can just search for an already unlocked version of the NA map you need. However, as i've already mentioned, we can't help you with that any further than just talking very generally about it like this. Of course, Google is certainly your friend and should point you in the right direction.