Garmin 255W need help

**Gadot** · 3rd April 2025, 01:38 AM

Hello and new to this forum and learning about this GPS.

I was cleaning out my parents home the other day and came across an old Garmin 255W. After getting it turned on, I noticed the loaded software was outdated. After some reading I found and downloaded the "Garmin Express" software and updated the firmware to the latest version. I then noticed the map set was also considerably out dated and I looked to see if there was a means to update that as well to something current.

I found a YT video showing you how to update it to the most current map set. In my hurried attempt to make the change I ended up accidently formatting the Garmin instead of an SD card that I intended to install it on. In the process of doing that I ended up "bricking" the Garmin from what I've been reading.🙁 After that it was stuck in what I believe is called a boot loop, flashing the Garmin logo and then shutting down and repeating the process. Sadly I didn't make a backup copy of it prior to attempting all these changes.

I checked in disk management and there was no sign of it being detected. After some more searching of the forum and reading through numerous posts and what was required I found the "G7ToWin" program to identify the HWID of the Garmin which was 1091. Once I had that I continued on and found a process called "GarminCure3" along with "RMPrepUSB" that could potentially allow the PC to see the device. I found success with it showing as Garmin and noted as a healthy 1.82GB healthy partition formatted in FAT32. Now I need the next step which I guessing is a "base map" which I'm having trouble finding.

Hopefully someone here can help me with that next step and bring this Garmin back to life. If there's more information needed I'm more than happy to supply it.

Thank you.

Cheers 😊

Jack

**Neil** · 3rd April 2025, 02:21 AM

@Gadot
Welcome to GPSPower. This is an easy fix now; you've done all the harder stuff. So please follow the Admin's advice above and once you've properly introduced yourself as this Forum's Rules require, we'll continue with the restoration of that old nuvi.

EDIT: Thanks for making your intro in Members Presentation section.

I'm assuming you can now see the nuvi's internal space in Windows File Explore. If you've not already let it try to boot, please do that now and when it fully boots (might take a bit longer this first time) then turn it off. Now reconnect it to the PC. There should have been a folder named Garmin created with a file named GarminDevice.xml inside it. If so, here's your next steps:

Place a basemap named gmapbmap.img in the Garmin folder. Get one here: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]. V7 will work fine in your 255W.
Connect the device to GarminExpress which will offer to replace its map entitlement and other essential files.

Post again if you need more assistance or if there hasn't been a Garmin folder and XML file self-created by the device.

**Gadot** · 3rd April 2025, 06:26 AM

Hi Neil:

Yes the Garmin does show in File Explorer.

I started the Garmin but, theres nothing more than a splash screen showing the word Garmin on the display even after sitting for 5 minutes it does nothing more.

Just to make sure I plugged it into the PC anyway to check Garmin in file explorer and the folder is empty.

I've downloaded and unzipped the V7 basemap as mentioned.

I can create a Garmin folder in the Garmin device once connected to the PC. All I need now it would seem is the XML file to place inside it. Would this work?

Thank again.

Cheers

Jack

**Neil** · 3rd April 2025, 07:37 AM

Hmm. Now that you've said it doesn't progress past the Garmin logo splash screen I'm wondering if you remembered to flash the original firmware back after formatting it with RMPrepUSB? If it still has cure fw loaded it can't boot past the splash screen by design.

**Gadot** · 3rd April 2025, 03:54 PM

Sorry this process is all very new to me and I'm suprised I've gotten to this stage with it.

It appears as though its just a empty space where I could place anything in it at this point.

OK well thats quite possible as I don't have the original firmaware and by original you mean the firmware that originally came with the unit.

If possible to get the original fw what do I use to flash it with and how?

Hope there is still a chance to bring it back to life.

Thanks again for taking the time to help a newbie with this.

Cheers

Jack

**asprin624** · 3rd April 2025, 06:19 PM

You might try here the site is not up all the time.

Spoiler: Nuvi Firmware Archive Perry Mirror

**Neil** · 3rd April 2025, 10:56 PM

@Gadot
The file named "gupdate.gcd" which was loaded to the unit's Garmin folder by GarminExpress is what you need: ("After some reading I found and downloaded the "Garmin Express" software and updated the firmware to the latest version"). But of course, it was lost when you formatted the device by mistake. You can easily find it again here, but named "nuvi2x5W_GCDFile-MTK__780.gcd":

Code:

Please Login or Register to see the links

What you need do now is open that GCD file as detailed in the Cure thread initial post (look for "Download GarminCure3.exe and updater.exe from here: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]"). Run GarminCure3.exe with your GCD in the same folder or open the EXE and drag the GCD onto the GUI, then set its radio button to "ORIGINAL", press the button "Make firmware" and the RGN will be created in a Temp folder, named "109101000780.rgn" (without the quotes). Load the RGN file into Updater.exe, put the nuvi into preboot made and flash the file. That will override the cure fw presently loaded and allow the device to fully boot. After it's fully booted, the file "GarminDevice.xml" will have been created in its Garmin folder and the device will then be recognised by GarminExpress to update it further.

If you get too confused, post again and i'll make a kit for you to use instead.

**Gadot** · 4th April 2025, 04:27 AM

@Neil

OK I'm sure this is what I did the first time I attempted this, though there was no folder named Garmin in the Garmin labeled D drive in File Explorer.

I followed your instructions as noted and this time I saw the message that it was "loading software", only this time the Garmin folder was created and with in that folder, a folder labeled "GPX" and with that folder was a file labeled "current.gpx"

When the unit begins to boot now, at the bottom of the splash screen it shows:

Nuvi 255W
Copyright 2015
Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiares

that text disappears and "Loading Maps ..." is displayed briefly, followed by,

just the Garmin screen with an image of a PC connecting to a GPS and nothing further.

Not sure if we are any closer with this info or not.

Cheers

Jack

**Neil** · 4th April 2025, 05:50 AM

What you've described isn't normal behaviour for a healthy device (i.e. even a fully recovered but previously 'bricked' one) following a normal complete boot-cycle. The PC tower symbol should only be shown on screen when you connect it to a computer - although it can happen using a non-Garmin USB charging cable sometimes.

Just to be clear, please answer these questions:
1. Is there an SD card inserted in it? If so, remove it now.
2. After you loaded the original fw via 19010100780.rgn, you disconnected the nuvi from the computer before booting it up?
3. Are you sure that GarminDevice.xml isn't being created in the Garmin folder? Please check again after another boot attempt on stand-alone battery power only, if the XML is created then please post it. If instead there's a file named "GarminDevice.tmp, post that.

**Gadot** · 4th April 2025, 07:08 AM

Some form of progress now maybe.

To answer your questions

No SD in the Garmin
I did have it connected to PC after loading software and allowing it to reboot.
No XML or GarminDate.tmp after another boot attempt.

The issue was after loading the software I left it connected to the PC on reboot. Followed your instruction and allowed it to boot without being connected to the PC and

It asked for 12 or 24 hour clock
also Miles or Kilometers

followed by the following.

"No detailed maps found that support routing".
"The Nuvi cannot be used without them".

After that I connected it to the PC and I checked for the XML file and still nothing but, the following:

Garmin Folder showing as noted
Inside the Garmin folder is the folder GPX
An MS Edge logo titled GarminDevice and a
File titled mt.nvm

Inside the GPX folder is the file Current.gpx

At roughly the same time that I connected it to the PC, Garmin Express popped up saying a new device was detected and software updates were available. After the update there are now additional folders and files showing in Garmin but, still no XML as yet.

The additional folders and files are as follows
ExtData folder with 4 different bin files
RemoteSW with a file named 006B090100.GCD
A file named gmaptz.img and
A MS Edge logo named Locales

Not sure if this makes it more confusing or not

Cheers

Jack

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