Thread: Garmin nuvi 1490lmt stuck at splash screen. [Solved].

Manually create the folder named Garmin [leave it empty], then try to boot again but that may not help. 1xxx units will boot empty. It doesn't seem to be getting far enough into the boot process anyway to create the folder and file. You didn't load a cure firmware by any chance did you before the format? Cure fw will only boot as far as the logo and then the unit needs to have the full original flashed again. You should also try reflashing the original fw V6.20 in any case, using pre-boot. Unfortunately, there may even be physical damage to the flash drive, or some other problem not fixable by reformatting. Even if you are certain that you did it right, first format again ensuring that you follow exactly the instructions and the pictorial guide in the RMPrepUSB thread.

EDIT: I see you added this when you edited your post just after I answered here:

...... I went ahead and loaded Garmin Express which still says that my unit is up to date with the firmware even though nothing is showing on the internal drive. My "do not show hidden folders and system folders" option is disabled so I should be able to see any files that are hidden. I don't know what the deal is.

The firmware [unit software] is not on the visible part of the flash drive which can be 'unhidden' such as the .System folder can. What you have done by reformatting only 'wipes' the internal files and does not affect the fw in any way, it is still there. At a basic level, only by loading other firmware with a GUPDATE.GCD file flashed via the .System folder [or from a Garmin folder on the microSD], or in pre-boot mode by flashing the fw as an *.rgn file using updater.exe can the fw be changed on the unit's 'invisible' protected non-vol memory. In the state your unit's in, only flashing in pre-boot is possible.