Thread: Garmin Aera 500 in Aera 550

I doubt that the conversion is firmware related. The same firmware is used for all aera 5xx (500, 510, 550 & 560), Therefore the differences in operation between the models are either regional versions set by 'Locale' (unlikely in the case of 500>550 however), or, more likely, the enabling and suppression of available features are controlled by a flash region. In other Garmin devices, this has been achieved by using a modified splash (the 'logo') in rgn16 particularly in earlier devices, e.g. 1xxx. In more recent devices, the functions are controlled in rgn140. The first thing I'd do is dump both those regions, but before you do you need to have a basic understanding of dumping (copying) and writing to regions, so read this thread: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ].

You'll need to dump those 2 regions, look behind the spoiler:

Spoiler:

First, let's check for sure that it's not an RWFS device which from memory I'm fairly sure it's not. Tap the speed field on main page to see the Speedometer. Hold the speedo for about 5 seconds until you see a hidden menu named 'Diagnostics Page'. Scroll down to see if there is 'RWFS Setting' entry, if there isn't use these commands with the appropriate Ldr.bin:
rrgn,16,1:/16.bin
rrgn,140,1:/140.bin
reboot

In the event you do see 'RWFS Setting' in the menu substitute "2:/" for "1:/" in the commands.

Report further and post the region dumps (16.bin & 140.bin) when you have them.

If you're in any way unsure about how to do the above, post that and I'll make you an SD kit to use. Using a wrong Ldr.bin (boot.bin) could hard-brick your devices so be careful!

Ok, here you go:

Spoiler:

Extract this file directly to a CLEAN card: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]. Insert the card ensuring the Aera is fully OFF (not in Standby mode) then power it on. If battery is low connect it to a power source. 'Loader' will show on screen for a short while, you'll know it's finished dumping the 2 regions when it reboots. After reboot you can safely remove the card without turning it off. In the card's root alongside the Garmin folder you should see 2 new files named 16.bin and 140.bin. Please post them. If one of them is missing please post the content of the new file 'update.log' which should be in the "1063" folder.

well done
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

140.bin has zero bytes so although present region 140 dumps empty on your aera 500. Region 16 is 512 KiB in size (524,288 bytes). The splash identifies as 'nuvi Splash Screen WS' so it seems it shares the logo with some of the nuvi range.

Do you have access to an aero 550 or 560 to dump region 16 from it?

No, I have not!

That's unfortunate because i don't know anyone with a 550/560. I've checked some nuvi splashes and it's almost identical to nuvi 7x5 splash with only a couple of bytes difference however standard US/EU 7x5 has JCV etc already enabled so maybe I'm on the wrong scent there.

Just in case 140 is protected from copying, please check if there is a file named "supported_features.html" (.System/Diag/html/supported_features.html) on your 500. If aera doesn't have .System folder then that html file won't exist. To show the hidden .System folder in Windows, go to Control Panel > Folder Options > View then enable the radio button for 'Show hidden files, folder and drives' and uncheck 'Hide protected ...etc.':

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Perhaps someone else has a senior model aera and will dump rgn16 ........ Can anyone help us with that please?

Only these files in that folder .

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

That certainly eliminates region 140 as enabling features then. Back to 16 as the likely source of feature suppression in 500. Because all the aera 5x0 hardware is identical and they use the same firmware the features are already present in the firmware. There are references to 'J C V' and 's a f e t a x i' in the firmware for example. We need someone to supply a copy of rgn16 from a 550 or 560 or someone who's done the conversion in some other way to post with info about it.