THANKS A LOT for the instructions you wrote above. By following your instructions I managed to use the never method with the general RGN file and the Updater program to get usb access to the device. I then had to format it with the RMPrepUSB program as I had no clue which files to delete that caused it to get stuck with Garmin logo. After some trial and error I was finally able to use the GarminExpress program to restore the device with the correct firmware. I finally loaded the microsd card for the device with some free Openstreetmaps as the old maps disappered when I formated the device and Garmin asked for 50 USD to get a map update. So now I have a working Garmin nuvi 1690 with new maps .