Thread: Alternative Nuvis Firmwares

Originally Posted by caputogio

Also if I understood correctly if I "Replace HWID text string" of the US for the JPN on my next upgrade it will upgrade as if I had a JPN nuvi correct?

If you use original US boot.bin ., so your nuvi still be US unit.
It means you can not upgrade your nuvi with ogiginal JPN firmware directly.
You have to make a rgn for new JPN firmware again.

(But you still can flash with original US firmware directly)

I don't know about different point of firmwares.

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If your unit is US and you override hwid with JPN hwid and flash., Nuvi will say "System Software Missing" and won't open.

Example for US unit --> JPN

1). Use US boot.bin ., JPN fw_all ., JPN resources / Override hwid to US /check "Replace HWID text strings" (with US hwid)
result :: you will get US hwid within garmindevice.xml :: can flash directly with US firmware. Exactly your nuvi is US unit.

2). Use US boot.bin ., JPN fw_all ., JPN resources /Override hwid to US / uncheck "Replace HWID text strings"
result :: you will get JPN hwid within garmindevice.xml ::
But your nuvi is not JPN. It still be US unit. You can flash directly with US firmware only.

3). Use US boot.bin ., JPN fw_all ., JPN resources / Override hwid to JPN
result :: Nuvi will say "System software Missing" and won't open.
Your Nuvi still be US., you can fix it by flashing with original US firmware.
Not recommented.

4).Use original JPN firmware / override hwid to US and if success. Not recommented.
result :: Still be US unit. !
If fail ., you can fix it by flashing with original US firmware.

5). Use rgn file ( Original JPN firmware without modified - you have to use specific rgn name ) and if success. Not recommented.
result :: Now nuvi is JPN. !!!

The Nuvi will "read" hwid number from somewhere within fw_all.bin.
For example 1xxx series (CHN fw_all.bin)



You will see hwid number 1182.
If you open this fw_all with Hex editor and change this 1182 to 9999.
Result :: Garmindevice.xml will say your nuvi hwid number = 9999.
But your nuvi is not exactly 9999 hwid.

Note ::
you can edit this number without effect in functions.

RGN_Tool will override hwid in other point.(not the same point as nuvi read from fw_all to write into garmindevice.xml)

Garmin read hwid number within garmindevice.xml in term of you use original firmware ( so the hwid number is always right.)

But if you use modified firmware so hwid within garmindevice.xml may be the useless data or incorrect.
You have to see what is hwid of boot.bin. (or use G7toWin to detect the real hwid)