nuvi 1690 with 'system software missing' message

Hi panoshm, thanks for sharing your experience. I would be grateful if you could share with us the steps you have tried.

I am glad I can get help/advice from this community.

People of gpspower.net are really helpful and they "work" on Sat and Sun (Garmin staff don't) :P

I wrote to kunix last night and I am still waiting for a reply, hopefully kunix could give me a hint to "unbrick" my "nuvi brick"



To Neil and Catymag,

I don't know where the idea comes from, but it's good to ask / try, who knows it might work.

This crazy idea hit me after trying the steps mentioned above, and I know there is still a method from kunix mentioned by Neil "method of modding ldr.bin and flashing via Updater.exe" which I am not familiar with.

The idea is dismantling the device and get the internal storage device out, connect it to a pc and format it.

Do you think it's workable?

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Originally Posted by fracessco10 [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...]

by the way, what do you mean the msm?

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MSM is simply Mass Storage Mode, the normal way that the nuvi connects to the PC and communicates like any other USB device.

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Originally Posted by fracessco10 [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...]

........... there is still a method from kunix mentioned by Neil "method of modding ldr.bin and flashing via Updater.exe" which I am not familiar with.

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That's method 4, using the modded boot.bin made as an rgn to flash from microSD. I modified the boot.bin as per kunix's method described in P#33 here: [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...]. BTW, reading your comment in P#19 [i.e. 'drag the 113201000390.rgn (downloaded from Neil) over the Webupdater.exe'], that makes me think that you've used my modded boot.bin RGN file that way. It's only meant for use with the Garmin folder on sd card, so did you do method 4 correctly as i said in P#16? That rgn file contains only the boot.bin [ramloader] modified so that it doesn't load the unit firmware, so if you've used it with WU or Updater.exe it will only update the unit's 'Boot BLK' and 'X-Loader'. The 'System' component of fw remains unchanged therefore you would receive the message that the update's been successful but subsequently the device again reports 'system software missing' [because the system software hasn't been touched, only the other parts of fw were]. If you've used the modded boot.bin rgn that way without the sd card with Garmin folder on it inserted in the nuvi, then please try it exactly as i said in P#16.

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The idea is dismantling the device and get the internal storage device out, connect it to a pc and format it.

Do you think it's workable?

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It's workable if that is indeed the problem and if you can do the r & r work described here: [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...]. Assuming the symptom 'system software missing' is showing a physical problem with the flash chip, then for practical purposes the device is effectively toast quite frankly. What Alex describes in that thread is for very advanced users with specialist equipment and ability.

Unfortunately as more and more efforts to resurrect your nuvi fail, the chances of a damaged flash being the cause are becoming greater. Let's not give up yet though. The majority of units displaying that message are the result of an imperfect fw update and that's increased by the circumstances where it happened immediately following a power-down as you said while updating. So we should continue trying to fix this unit as non-invasively as possible until kunix has time to intervene, the more things we tick off the less he has to do. It does concern me that you had MSM access when you were in contact with Garmin support and subsequently lost it before posting here. That means one of two things of course, (i) the unit was 'bricked' further during or subsequent to Garmin's phone efforts and prior to you posting here by something you've attempted, or, (ii) most concernedly, the flash chip quite co-incidentally failed while updating with GarminExpress [it wasn't a case of 'power-down' as you said, rather a communication failure because the flash memory failed mid-update] and that there has been further deterioration of the chip which resulted in MSM also being lost. In that case all this is for naught i'm afraid, but we should regard it as a software problem until all possibilities are exhausted. So let's bat on:

Did you try [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] from the cure3 thread? If no, give it a go but it's quite unlikely it'll work to gain MSM. If it doesn't, try the version of QuickCure with flasher from P#36 here: [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...].

Another thing to try is to make an rgn file containing only fw_all.bin & fw1_resources.bin and try flashing that with updater.exe in pre-boot. Make it with RGN_Tool as per the pic below, save it as 113201000390.rgn then drag onto Updater.exe as usual.

[Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...]

You should also read the 'Running programs from SD on nuvi' thread from P#35 by the user nuvi1100; and this thread too: [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...].

Note: All above posts moved to new thread from [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...].

as for a quick reply, the method 4 with modded boot.bin RGN file, I believe I didn't do it correctly.
I did not expect the issue could be so complicated and involves a lot of technical stuff. but I will keep on reading.

The thread by Alexander2010 "Nuvi 12xx,13xx,14xx,16xx with "software missing" on first step of flashing process" leads me to think that the issues mentioned by him could be related to mine. Most probably I will order some tools for the operation.

In the meantime, I will try the QuickCure from the cure3 thread and if no luck, I will go for QuickCure with flasher & further.

I shall read and experiment and report by the end of the day.

P/S: Thanks for the clear instruction and links.

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Originally Posted by fracessco10 [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...]

..... the method 4 with modded boot.bin RGN file, I believe I didn't do it correctly.

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Very importantly, if you've not yet done it correctly as you've said above you should make several attempts of the SD card flash with the modded boot.bin [method #4]. To be 100% clear, you should do this:

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Originally Posted by Neil [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...]

...... Method 4: Extract Garmin.rar directly onto a clean microSD. Insert into the nuvi. Extract 113201000390.rar somewhere convenient, Desktop is fine. Inside that rar folder is 113201000390.rgn and Updater.exe, drag the rgn file onto Updater.exe to open the GUI, enable the Radio button for 'USB Device'. Put the nuvi into pre-boot normally connecting to PC and press 'OK' on the GUI when the unit's details show in the window and wait. The unit should then reboot automatically and 'Loader' should appear on the screen if the firmware update flash starts.

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Note: Each attempt of that SD flash will generate a file 'last_id.bin' on the card in 1131 folder which must be removed before attempting the same flash again [or it will not be even initiated]. Don't remove update.log however.


Please try not to get too far ahead of the game yet:

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I did not expect the issue could be so complicated and involves a lot of technical stuff. but I will keep on reading.

The thread by Alexander2010 "Nuvi 12xx,13xx,14xx,16xx with "software missing" on first step of flashing process" leads me to think that the issues mentioned by him could be related to mine. Most probably I will order some tools for the operation.

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As i've said previously, system software message is more commonly associated with an incomplete [or wrong] firmware flashing/update. Before you try such a radical hardware fix [which is usually less likely the cause] you should completely eliminate any possibility of a firmware cause. That includes getting further advice from kunix once all 'easy' firmware fixes are tried.

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In the meantime, I will try the QuickCure from the cure3 thread and if no luck, I will go for QuickCure with flasher & further.

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Yes, you should try both the QuickCure flashes and the SD card method 4, also the flash i suggested you make yourself with RGN_Tool in Post #22. Please try all of the suggestions one-by-one and several times each, before moving to the next method. Take it slowly and a step at a time, eliminating each one progressively. QuickCure; QuickCure with flasher; SD Method 4; and the 'fw_all.bin & fw1_resources.bin only' flash P#22.

Post if not sure at any stage before proceeding.

with the RGN_tool opened, I dragged nuvi16xxEU_regionfileonly__390.gcd into the File drop zone, after unchecked the boot.bin box, I tried to save the file as 113201000390.rgn but I was warned "Section 1 must be enabled. Normally it should contain section '0800' boot.bin" and I am afraid I am not able to save the file at all.

Is this the way to create a modded boot.bin RGN file? If I am able to create this file I believe I can perform method #4

Tried the QuickCure, without any luck.

Out of my curousity. What would be the solution for the device to boot if i had the device in MSM?
In your post #16 ...There's no need to load a cure fw if you have MSM, but there is every reason to load it if you haven't got MSM.
Should i have loaded the "original" instead of "cure" and flash it with updater.exe?

the version of QuickCure with flasher from P#36 "Running programs from SD on nuvi involves creating boot.bin from gcd and patch (did he mean changing the RGN Region? Mine are all grey out)

Quote Originally Posted by Neil View Post
...... Method 4: Extract Garmin.rar directly onto a clean microSD. Insert into the nuvi. Extract 113201000390.rar somewhere convenient, Desktop is fine. Inside that rar folder is 113201000390.rgn and Updater.exe, drag the rgn file onto Updater.exe to open the GUI, enable the Radio button for 'USB Device'. Put the nuvi into pre-boot normally connecting to PC and press 'OK' on the GUI when the unit's details show in the window and wait. The unit should then reboot automatically and 'Loader' should appear on the screen if the firmware update flash starts.

if the file Garmin.rar I downloaded from you was the modded boot.bin RGN file, then I think I have tried this method, however, I did not remove the 'last_id.bin' on the card in 1131 folder. I shall retry this method with the 'last_id.bin' file removed.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by fracessco10 [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...]

with the RGN_tool opened, I dragged nuvi16xxEU_regionfileonly__390.gcd into the File drop zone, after unchecked the boot.bin box, I tried to save the file as 113201000390.rgn but I was warned "Section 1 must be enabled. Normally it should contain section '0800' boot.bin" and I am afraid I am not able to save the file at all.

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I was too brief with my instructions i can see, Save each bin file for fw_all and fw1_resources separately and then recombine by loading each separately to RGN_Tool. Save it as RGN and click 'ok' on the message about boot.bin needing to be in section 1. Here it is anyway: [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...]. Extract to find 113201000390.rgn inside. [Don't confuse this with the other rar file i made earlier to use with SD method 4].

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Is this the way to create a modded boot.bin RGN file? If I am able to create this file I believe I can perform method #4

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No. You're confusing the two flashes.

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Tried the QuickCure, without any luck.

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That was expected frankly.

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Out of my curousity. What would be the solution for the device to boot if i had the device in MSM?

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If the flash isn't damaged, a reformat with RMPrepUSB. Read the initial post in Cure3 thread for more details.

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In your post #16 ...There's no need to load a cure fw if you have MSM, but there is every reason to load it if you haven't got MSM.
Should i have loaded the "original" instead of "cure" and flash it with updater.exe?

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Yes, in my opinion but we'll never know now because at some point you've lost MSM. Whether that was because of something you and/or Garmin support attempted or it's a continuing deteriation of a failing flash chip is yet to be determined.

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the version of QuickCure with flasher from P#36 "Running programs from SD on nuvi involves creating boot.bin from gcd and patch (did he mean changing the RGN Region? Mine are all grey out)

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Again you're confusing two separate methods. This is P#36 and it's what kunix said in replay to nuvi1100 not being able to run txt commands on SD:

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Originally Posted by kunix [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...]

I've seen a similar error [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...]. Can you flash an RGN file with the original firmware?
0C 80 A0 E3 is the right patch for nuvi 12xx, it should work on a healthy device.
Also you can try [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] to access the internal flash drive. It's almost the same as QuickCure3.rgn, but it has a flasher application.

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I've already patched the boot.bin for you and made the rgn file, it's in the second rar file along with Updater.exe [read my Post #16 again carefully].

Quote:

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Originally Posted by fracessco10 [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...]

Quote Originally Posted by Neil View Post
...... Method 4: Extract Garmin.rar directly onto a clean microSD. Insert into the nuvi. Extract 113201000390.rar somewhere convenient, Desktop is fine. Inside that rar folder is 113201000390.rgn and Updater.exe, drag the rgn file onto Updater.exe to open the GUI, enable the Radio button for 'USB Device'. Put the nuvi into pre-boot normally connecting to PC and press 'OK' on the GUI when the unit's details show in the window and wait. The unit should then reboot automatically and 'Loader' should appear on the screen if the firmware update flash starts.

if the file Garmin.rar I downloaded from you was the modded boot.bin RGN file, then I think I have tried this method, however, I did not remove the 'last_id.bin' on the card in 1131 folder. I shall retry this method with the 'last_id.bin' file removed.

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The Garmin file is to USED with the modded boot.bin RGN [113201000390.rgn] as said above. There are 2 separate rar files to be used together. So as said please read carefully P#16, repeated again P#24.

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Originally Posted by Neil [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...]

I was too brief with my instructions i can see, Save each bin file for fw_all and fw1_resources separately and then recombine by loading each separately to RGN_Tool. Save it as RGN and click 'ok' on the message about boot.bin needing to be in section 1. Here it is anyway: [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...]. Extract to find 113201000390.rgn inside. [Don't confuse this with the other rar file i made earlier to use with SD method 4].

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In your reply, I can see the instruction as:
1. Load nuvi16xxEU_regionfileonly__390.gcd into RGN_tool
1.1 Save the first bin file fw_all.bin (the question is, save as RGN? The file name should be fw_all.bin.rgn?)
1.2 Save the second bin file fw1_resources (the question is, is it the third option in RGN_tool resources.bin?)
2. The option I can save the files is RGN or GCD, I believe we are ONLY interested in RGN.
3. You mentioned loading each saved files separately to RGN_tool (I believe by dragging them one by one to the "File Drag Zone" and save as 113201000390.rgn.

Thank you for the file, as you can foresee this task is beyond my capability. Appreciate.

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If the flash isn't damaged, a reformat with RMPrepUSB. Read the initial post in Cure3 thread for more details.

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I tried the GarminCure3 method by kunix with other device and was successful resurrect the device. load cure, update.exe and pre-boot, reformat with RMPrepUSB and load with original in pre-boot.

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Again you're confusing two separate methods. This is P#36 and it's what kunix said in replay to nuvi1100 not being able to run txt commands on SD:

I've already patched the boot.bin for you and made the rgn file, it's in the second rar file along with Updater.exe [read my Post #16 again carefully].

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I think they are the 113201000390.rar and Garmin.rar (Post #16) I got from you. I shall put the Garmin rar (gupdate.gcd and update.txt) in a microSD and insert it in the device. And the 113201000390.rgn in the 113201000390.rar post #27 is to be dragged over the updater.exe and pre-boot my device to flash it.

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The Garmin file is to USED with the modded boot.bin RGN [113201000390.rgn] as said above. There are 2 separate rar files to be used together. So as said please read carefully P#16, repeated again P#24.

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I will, thanks.

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Originally Posted by fracessco10 [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...]

In your reply, I can see the instruction as:
1. Load nuvi16xxEU_regionfileonly__390.gcd into RGN_tool
1.1 Save the first bin file fw_all.bin (the question is, save as RGN? The file name should be fw_all.bin.rgn?)
1.2 Save the second bin file fw1_resources (the question is, is it the third option in RGN_tool resources.bin?)
2. The option I can save the files is RGN or GCD, I believe we are ONLY interested in RGN.
3. You mentioned loading each saved files separately to RGN_tool (I believe by dragging them one by one to the "File Drag Zone" and save as 113201000390.rgn.

Thank you for the file, as you can foresee this task is beyond my capability. Appreciate.

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Yes it seems that final sentence is so, because your interpretation above it is completely wrong but don't concern yourself any further about it. Just use the extracted file from the rar i've attached there in the first part of my Post#27 and drag the extracted 113201000390.rgn onto updater.exe, put your unit in preboot and flash it.

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I tried the GarminCure3 method by kunix with other device and was successful resurrect the device. load cure, update.exe and pre-boot, reformat with RMPrepUSB and load with original in pre-boot.

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Sure, i know that. But now you don't have MSM and you can't load anything in preboot seemingly, so something is preventing that. My point was [and remains] that you already had MSM before using cure fw because you were able to delete the existing gupdate.gcd as requested by the support lady at Garmin, right? So imo there was no need at that time to load cure fw because you already had MSM. But you've since lost Mass Storage Mode. My reading of your posts indicates that since you 'cured' it, you've been unable to [successfully] load original fw and are still faced with 'system software missing' message, correct?

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I think they are the 113201000390.rar and Garmin.rar (Post #16) I got from you. I shall put the Garmin rar (gupdate.gcd and update.txt) in a microSD and insert it in the device. And the 113201000390.rgn in the 113201000390.rar post #27 is to be dragged over the updater.exe and pre-boot my device to flash it.

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Don't put Garmin.rar in a microSD, extract it onto the card so that Garmin folder and gupdate.gcd are in the root of the card, then the rest above is correct.

First of all, sorry for late reply/report, I changed my ISP a few days ago and this LTE service is still (very) unstable :(
After a few days couldn't go online, I did quite a lot of testing every now and then and here are the results:

Method 4

After unrar Garmin.rar and placed the 2 files namely gupdate.gcd and update.txt in a micro SD, then I unrar the 113201000390.rar and dragged it over the updater.exe, after putting the nuvi in pre-boot mode, I clicked “OK”.
The result I got was

“The Garmin device is unable to program the requested memory region.
This could be due to an incompatibility between this application and the Garmin device.
If this error continues to occur, please contact Garmin Technical Support.

And it didn't generate a file called 'last_id.bin' on the card and there was no a folder called 1131, did I do something wrong?

P/S: This happened in a blink of eyes and gone, however, I managed to print screen after clicking the “OK” button and the box titled “Updating Software In…”
Nuvi 1690 Software Version 2.60
Erasing…
(this may take a few minutes)
On the device, the screen showed “Loader loading”.

I was also trying every now and then different methods, in case I got some luck, who knows, and here are the results:

When I tried with QuickCure
I got the windows showing:

Title: Updater
The Garmin device is not responding. Please ensure the following and try again:
1. The Garmin device’s Interface option is set to Garmin or Host mode.
2. The cable is connected to the correct serial port.
3. The Garmin device is turned on.

P/S: At the beginning of this trial (a few days ago), it processed at first or second click, but yesterday when I tried again with this method, I needed about 30 clicks (this really worried me) before it started to process the update

Title: Updating Software In…
Nuvi 1690 Software Version 2.60
Updating…
100% complete, 0:00 remaining

After that
Update Complete
The update was successful (But nothing happened)

Could you guide me with other methods to flash the device?

Or any ideas/insights to be shared?