Thread: IMPORTANT! If you want HELP in case of a bricked Garmin device, please follow this

Originally Posted by dejavuei

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1. Garmin DriveSmart 50LM, Firmware 540, HWID 2267.
2. Tryed to update unlocked firmware, but RGN tool doesn't show the HWID so I wrote it by myself.
3. After update device pops up message: "Software is missing!" and cannot load.
4. It cannot be seen from the computer as device anymore.
5. Tryed all the procedures with GarminCure3 but the device cannot boot and immediately shows that Software Missing.
6 I don't have any backup files.

In it's worse meaning 'System Software Missing' can be quite a serious problem, however in most cases provided you used the correct firmware for your device it means that region 14 containing the main system software (fw_all.bin) is corrupt or even completely empty (i.e. erased, but not properly rewritten during your previous attempt). In that case the device should have defaulted to preboot mode and will remain in that state when turned on until the firmware is fully flashed to it.

To confirm it is now in preboot, connect to PC, no need to hold the screen, look at [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] for an explanation and pic of how it should appear in Windows Device Manager when in preboot. If it does appear there, then follow the rest of this. If it doesn't show there it may be hosed differently.

1. Remake the patched firmware entirely from scratch. Don't be temped to use whatever you previously patched, please get a 'known-good' original fw from Garmin server, here:
   
   Code:

   Please Login or Register to see the links

2. Don't override the HWID from '0000'. Although the HWID of 2267 is correct, probably the device itself knows to initialize that to correct value using it's bootloader. It's not unique to your DriveSmart, many modern devices are the same.
3. Observing the RGN file safe-naming convention (226701000540.rgn), load the patched file to Updater.exe and select the USB Device radio button. When you connect your device the detail should immediately appear in the adjacent window.
4. Press 'OK' on the GUI and wait for the flash to finish.
5. It should now boot normally with patched firmware.