2xxx and 3xxx series enable features application

**catymag** · 10th March 2015, 05:50 PM

Read with care starting post

**00rt** · 12th March 2015, 01:52 PM

Hi all.

I was referred to this thread from another where I asked for some guidance on getting features enabled on my US 2457. I tried modifying region 140 both with a hex editor and the GUI tool and didn't get very far. I saw discussion about a lack of icons on 2013 models, so this isn't totally surprising. However, it seems to be more than just the icons. My motivation for browsing this forum and learning more about these units was so I could work on updating maps and potentially do more customization to the Garmin-supplied nav module integrated in my car. I picked up the 2457 to use for general experimentation and learning about how Garmin does things and also as a donor for map files (which I know work). Unfortunately, my lack of knowledge led me to purchase a model without ASR, so I do not have updated files and will lose ASR in my car if I upgrade the maps without them. This latest attempt to enhance the feature set started as a way to get ASR files and that would still be a victory, but I am also now motivated by the challenge of modifying this to see what I can make it do.

From what I understand, the firmware for my model and the 2597 is the same. Also, I don't fully understand the significance of the HW ID, but mine is 1582, which is apparently shared with 2597 models. This gives me hope that if I could somehow convince the firmware that it should do 2597 things on a 2457 or make it think that my 2457 is a 2597, I might get somewhere. Just for kicks I found the hex value for "2457" in my region 41 and modified it to "2597". Truth be told I'm new to this and not sure if this made any sense at all, but it seemed like a good idea at the time. My unit now shows it as being a model "2xx7" and forces me to select my language and agree to terms on every startup, but that's it. I do have the original data backed up, so I'm hoping I can fix it by writing it back. If not, it isn't the end of tne world.

So, if anyone has any suggestions or comments, please let me know. I'm new to experimenting with the Garmin devices, but I work as an embedded firmware engineer and have developed GPS devices before, so I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty and mess with things at a low level.

**Neil** · 13th March 2015, 12:22 AM

To be frank, playing with region 41 is probably not the best place to start self-education on modding Garmin devices. Unless you know exactly what you're doing, it is very easy to brick a device with a corrupt rgn41. You've lost the model number by playing with it, maybe some features have also been compromised but 2457 is a junior basic-featured model so probably none are lost. But you've avoided bricking however certainly 'confused' it. So my first advice is to flash back the original 41 [i assume you made a backup 41.bin]. Before flashing back you should [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] and then clear it again after reflashing your original 41.bin. If you don't have a backup, hopefully reversing the changes in hex and reflashing will fix it [but make a backup before that of course].

You're correct in that the 24x7 and 25x7 range do share basic hardware and use the same firmware [unit software], therefore in theory it should be possible to enable some of the lacked features. However the senior models have hardware fitted which is not present in the juniors. BT module and perhaps microphone for instance. Your 2457 lacks BT hardware and probably therefore it doesn't have a mike. If it does have a mike or one can be fitted then you maybe can activate ASR. Of course no 24x7 4.3" unit can become a 25x7 5" unit so i think you should be comparing your 2457 to 2497, and aspiring to some of it's features [2497 is identical to 2597 in features anyway].

Code:

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If you click the Blue 'Show only Differences' button on that page you'll see that apart from the obvious physical difference for BT the only listed ones from 2457 to 2497 are ASR and Smartphone link.

Adding a BT module is in the 'too hard basket' imho, but for ASR adding a mike if it's not present should be easy enough [see Post #129 of [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] for the basic how-to]. Modding rgn140 is a cinch to 'enable' the extra features. Now comes the really hard part, the firmware probably needs to be modded to make the ASR Icon visible in the Apps screen of your 2457. That's if other experiences in regard to the missing icons are an indication. So if you really wanna get down 'n' dirty seeing you have firmware experience you may want to try reverse-engineering the firmware to see what might be stopping the Apps icons showing. Make sure you use the correct fw as there are 2 HWIDs for 2xx7/8 series, your 1582 and 2077: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ].

RacerXX · 6th April 2015, 01:00 AM

Just as followup to my earlier post. I have been using my modded 3490LMT for since 11/2014 and it works very well. At the time I didn't really know what would happen with the updates. Now I have updated my PC to Windows 10 and updated my Map via Garmin Express. Currently I'm on 2510.40 and version 8.20. It's all good.... Happy holiday and Big Thanks

**Neil** · 7th October 2015, 03:38 AM

@fracessco10
If were you modding features in region 140 you should be able to restore your rgn 140 backup with xrgn command. It that's what you modded but didn't make a back up of 140, then open the current 140.bin with [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] and look what is checked. Make a copy of it and re-enable the required features, save it and then write it back with xrgn.

**fracessco10** · 7th October 2015, 11:39 AM

Originally Posted by catymag

All looks ok, but check again files paths and if there are no typos in command (may be spaces) and in files names.
Do you have reg 139/140 backup? I don't remember if you have to restore them too, but read [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

@catymag
No, I didn't backup the reg 139/140. and attempts were made several of times without success with reg 41 restore.

Originally Posted by Giomen

1) Do you remove last_id.bin?
2) 1:/41.bin mean what 41.bin must be in root on SD...

@Giomen
1) Do you remove last_id.bin?
Yes, I did.
2) 1:/41.bin mean what 41.bin must be in root on SD...
Yes, that's the file created when I made the backup for my nuvi with:
rrgn,41,1:/41.bin
reboot

Originally Posted by Neil

@fracessco10
If were you modding features in region 140 you should be able to restore your rgn 140 backup with xrgn command. It that's what you modded but didn't make a back up of 140, then open the current 140.bin with [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] and look what is checked. Make a copy of it and re-enable the required features, save it and then write it back with xrgn.

I didn't make a backup for region 140 and by using the 2nd microSD, I managed to get the reg_140.bin file and with Roger's app, I can see everything is checked, except 2: ecoRoute Purchase and PhoneLink(?).

My problem is, I plugged in the gtm 25 before enabling some features in the "Enable features in nuvi 22xx, 23xx, 24xx and 24x5 & 25x5" by catymag and everything related to the traffic seemed fine. But after enabling, at first I noticed the bluetooth symbol where my nuvi didn't have this feature before, however, I couldn't connect my phone to the nuvi via bluetooth. I didn't check the 3d terrain, building. and definitely I didn't see the option of playing mp3, except the audiobook player which preinstalled in my nuvi and neither the video player. After checking with second gtm 25 (with european traffic subscription), I can confirm that my nuvi has no longer have the traffic info option. When every time when I plugged in the gtm, it acted as a power cord.

This is what I created in another microSD: :\GARMIN\updater\1371\
2 files were within the 1371 folder:
update.txt (1KB)
with the line:
xrgn,140,1:/reg_140.bin
reboot

and reg_140.bin (20KB)

After inserted into my nuvi and reboot, nothing happened. It just loaded normally and bluetooth option is still there but not able to be enabled. And traffic info (i will check with gtm 25 in a while and report)

**Giomen** · 8th October 2015, 12:15 AM

Originally Posted by fracessco10

This is what I created in another microSD:...

May be I do not understand you but:

1. Where is ldr.bin (engine of process)???
2. Why you had typed 1:/reg_140.bin (destination in root of SD) but you had put reg_140.bin in other folder like 1:\GARMIN\updater\1371\?

**fracessco10** · 7th October 2015, 12:25 PM

Ok, after creating the 140.bin, viewing with Roger's app, ticking the necessary function (some are not working with my nuvi 2445LM european version HWID 1371), writing the restore code into update.txt (as suggested by Neil), nothing happened after inserting the microSD and reboot. However, I tried again with gtm 25, and the nuvi detected it as a traffic receiver instead of just a power cord. Thanks guys for helping me out. And the info of SD card issues within this forum was really helpful (the microSD that I used for backing up reg 41 doesn't work with backing up reg 140.)

Wondering if the bluetooth function is "really" available for this model (after enabling the feature, the bluetooth keeps enabling and disabling itself).

**Neil** · 7th October 2015, 08:17 PM

Originally Posted by fracessco10

.....................
Wondering if the bluetooth function is "really" available for this model (after enabling the feature, the bluetooth keeps enabling and disabling itself).

Wonder no more, it's a hardware limitation. There is no Bluetooth module in 2445, so it's pointless to check that when modding rgn140 and only have a nonfunctional icon. Similarly there's no microphone either so nor will ASR work. Other features such as Custom Main Menu, 3D Buildings and 3D Terrain [DEM] aren't available in firmware, but it's always possible that a later fw update will include such features [unlikely now though].

Code:

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**Neil** · 8th October 2015, 06:47 AM

I don't think you misunderstood Giomen, even if ldr.bin was in 1371 folder the reg_140.bin is in the wrong place. Which is why it didn't work to flash his reg_140.bin of course.

@fracessco10
If you do want to get rid of the BT icon and get your 2445 back to how it was, firstly ensure your 2445 is running V8.20 firware, update it if necessary. Then do this:

1. Open a copy your reg_140.bin with Mod_3xxx.exe and check/uncheck as below:

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] [or check how you want it but definitely don't check ecoRoute HD, ecoRoute Purchase, Bluetooth or ASR].

2. Extract this file directly to a clean microSD: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] and then place your modded reg_140.bin in the root of the microSD [that means to place it with, not in, the Garmin folder].

3. Ensure the device is fully off then insert the card and turn it on. You should see 'Loader' appear on the screen. Let it finish flashing, it will then boot and the useless BT icon should be gone. You'll also have a backup of your current rgn140 in the root of the card as bup_140.bin.

In Garmin.rar file is Garmin\Updater\1371. Inside 1371 is V8.20 ldr.bin and Update.txt with
rrgn,140,1:/bup_140.bin
xrgn,140,1:/reg_140.bin
reboot

Note: Above posts moved here from 'How to backup Nuvi NV (region41) with sd' thread, in reply to [Only registered and activated users can see links. ].

Thread: 2xxx and 3xxx series enable features application

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