GarminCure3 tool - the new way to create cure firmwares for Garmin devices

fdiaconu · 17th February 2012, 07:15 AM

Hi Kunix,
I have a Nuvi 1390 and I'm trying use GarminCure3 to restore software on it (it starts with whitescreen, goes to Garmi logo for a few seconds, turns display off and back to Garmin screen and so on). I tried GarminCure3 with different firmware versions: nuvi13xxand14xxseries_GCDFile__570.gcd, nuvi13xxand14xxseries_GCDFile__580.gcd and nuvi13xxand14xxseries_regionfileonly__410.gcd.
I load one of these files into GC3, select CURE and it creates say 097201000570.rgn file, than I start updater.
I put GPS in load mode with a piece of rubber pressing on screen left top corner, hold in place by a clip and turn Nuvi on. It starts with a blank white screen. Updater finds Nuvi on USB port and starts 3 stages of update.
First phase is short (2 -3 seconds ) after which Nuvi screen changes to Garmin logo with "Missing software " message.
If I leave it, Updater gives an error message. I depress Nuvi Power button and it goes back to white screen. Updater continues through two longer erase and update processes and finishes with pop up window "The update was successful"
After this I have the same restarting Nuvi.
If I try run Garmin Webupdater it gives a message that update file is corrupted.
I can see Garmin Device in Windows (XP SP3) Device Manager while screen is blank and it dissapears from Device Manager when Nuvi goes to Garmin screen. I could never see Nuvi drive/folders in My Computer during these processes.
Please help me, let me know what I'm doing wrong and what exact steps I should follow.
Thanks a lot,
Florin

**yeffocb** · 17th August 2012, 12:22 AM

Hello everyone, this is my first time here. I was handed by mother-in-law's Nuvi 1390 which is stuck in a boot loop much like "fdiaconu" described on 17-02-2012. There were several posts and replies to this, but I did not find out what the final solution was. I tried calling tech support and despite this unit being used only a few times, it is out of the warranty period, they suggested it is dead and I could get it replaced for $110 (No, I'm not going to do that). They only support they suggested was the webupdater which can't stay connected long enough or the internal menus which don't respond. I've spent a fair amount of time looking for a solution for this, but was unable to find anything. She did not use this unit much. It was used on a longer trip and then got stuck in the boot loop the next time she powered up. Also, to get a feel for updates, the Nuvi was registered and updated by me only once in June 2010 and hasn't been connected to a computer since. Here is the problem:

1. Power on Nuvi 1390 (despite it saying it is a 1390, apparently it is a 1390T)
2. Garmin screen for about 3 seconds
3. Quick blink with white screen
4. Black screen for 1/2 a second
5. Endless loop back to step #2

Here's what I tried to do to repair:

1. Plugged USB cable provided by garmin to computer only
2. From a Windows XP virtual machine from within windows 7, I downloaded the following files and placed the decompressed files into c:\garmin
a) nuvi13xxand14xxseries_GCDFile__610.gcd
b) GarminCure3 v0.1 by kunix
c) RMPrepUSB v2.1.648
d) Updater.exe (I'm not sure how this is used, but I downloaded it anyhow and i'm providing some information that it provides when running "updater ?") - Probably not relevent:

App: Updater
At: 8/16/2012 10:22:21 PM (UTC)
OS: Windows XP Service Pack 3
Processor: Intel Processor Level: 16, RAM: 2097151 KB
APPLICATION.CPP-231-2.8
Windows Error Code: 123
The filename, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect.

3. Started GarminCure3
4. Dragged c:\garmin\nuvi13xxand14xxseries_GCDFile__610.gcd to white input box in GarminCure3
5. Clicked on "CURE" radio button
6. Clicked on "Make firmware" which made 097201000610.rpn
7. Clicked on Updater.exe
8. Clicked on "USB Device"
9. Press and hold finger in the upper left hand corner of garmin nuvi screen (my finger remained pressed to the upper left hand corner throughout all the steps below)
10. Plug USB cable to back of garmin
11. As soon as USB device appeared in USB box in the updater window on computer, I clicked on "OK" to start update
12a. Update starts, but I hear the USB device beep off towards the end of the update bar. After about 10 seconds or so, the screen says Erasing and then says, "The GARMIN device is unable to program the requested memory region. This could be due to incompatibility between this application and the GARMIN device. If this error continues to occur, pleas contact GARMIN Technical Support. [OK]"
12b. During the process of 12a, the Nuvi screen shows this: "Loader Loading", then "Software Loading", then "Software Missing"

Obviously, this process failed for me. The Nuvi remains in the boot loop. Other readings lead me to other ideas:

1. I saw other threads about accessing the file system on the Nuvi or renaming files or formatting the USB drive. My computer never recognizes the device as a hard drive.
2. As a result, using RMPrepUSB or even a manual format doesn't appear to work.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

**Raffone** · 28th June 2012, 12:31 PM

I followed this procedure to restore my Nuvi 510 and has worked, I had lost all hope to be able to reanimate.
thanks

**santagps** · 30th December 2013, 09:21 PM

Hi Kunix,
i made a Webupdater in a Zumo 660 and the unit displays Loader Loading and don't go ahead.
I've tried to press the upper left corner, turn on and connect, but haven't succeed.
I have a Updater.exe and a RGN file from a "software Missing", from the past, but neither work.
Is it possible that one of these Cure files solve the problem?

Thank you very much!

**jaru1** · 13th October 2014, 08:37 PM

first sorry for my bad english, but i have a problem whit my garmin nuvi 510
i have the nuvi 510 upgrade to zumo 220, this has been worked buth i did later a upgrade with garmin updater and when i now started up the nuvi the display show "loaded loading" and the nuvi doesn't nothing
also the computer doesn't regconized the nuvi.
i tryed garmincure3
i did the updater and chose usb device
and than i see on the computer "there are no usb devices avaible"
what can i do tho regconized the nuvi tho the computer

**neilbreaker** · 29th January 2021, 11:14 PM

Resurrection for my old Garmin Nuvi 1360 Asia version (Philippines).
I did install Garmincure3. Downloaded firmware "nuvi13xxand14xxseries_GCDFile__630.gcd" did not work but the QuickCure3.rgn..
It says "no firmware update for device".
Yes, i did the "cure" and not "original". But my nuvi wont go to mass-storage mode but thanks to "quickcure3.rgn".

My problem started when i formatted Nuvi to ntfs, and went to boot loop.
Followed kunix's instructions, and my device went to pre-boot mode (Power ON while pressing the upper left screen).

Since i saved all the files including system files inside the Nuvi before, so i had to copy backup copies of all the folders and files inside the device.
That's why i did not do the garmincure "original". What i did is update to Garmin's "webUpdater".

I am now updating maps using BaseCamp.
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

**Arretje** · 30th July 2024, 12:56 PM

Hi,
My Zumo 660LM seams dead. It doesn't do anything other then show a black screen. No sounds also.
I tried all to start up on battery which is fully loaded as I use one of my other 660. I tried on the bike-cradle as well.
Tried to push the power-on button long and short. Nothing.
So now I found Garmincure3 and want to give it a try. But I can't find the firmware anywhere.
MY 660 doesn't appear on the computer so I can't copy the firmware of my other 660 as well.

I need some help in how to make my computer find the 660. I use the Garmin USB drivers.
And I can also use any version of the firmware for my 660 or a pointer to where I can download it.

**buddyboy087** · 30th July 2024, 10:19 PM

Originally Posted by Arretje

Hi,
My Zumo 660LM seams dead.
............
So now I found Garmincure3 and want to give it a try.
...........

To use Cure firmware (or original for that matter) the device MUST be capable of turning on. Likely you have a different problem due to a faulty hardware component anyway therefore any software remedy cannot help anyway, sorry.

Try removing the battery for a while, even overnight. Sometimes that will work to drain all residual current from the device and when reconnected to a power source it will liven up. If not, you will need an electronics technician to trace the fault but if it's the flash chip that's dead it won't be worth repair costs.