Thread: Garmin Alpha 100 "SYSTEM SOFTWARE MISSING"

@miroslavbl
At it's most benign, "System Software Missing" message indicates that there is corruption or missing data in the device's region 14 (0x0A) where the main firmware is located. Usually in that case the device will not boot past that message regardless of how many re-boots are attempted. Also in that case the device should default to preboot mode which allows the firmware to be easily re-flashed using an RGN file via Updater.exe.

The other and more serious meaning of the message is that there is physical flash damage and in that case preboot isn't usually available while the message is displayed and even if it is re-flashing rgn14 either fails or doesn't fix the problem. Because your device is sometimes working, the indication is that the chip is dying. Like Boki_Srb said, replacement of the chip and reprograming it for your device is the the only fix for physical damage. The chip is probably BGA and if so re-balling is required also you'll then need to find someone to program it too. Garmin only offers an exchange service for such units, much cheaper to buy a working 2nd hand device.

There is no software cure for a damaged flash chip, it may stay flaky for an extended period or it may die completely on the next boot or firmware flash attempt.

If the device was mine, loading an RGN fw via [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] would be my choice of action. Convert a GCD to RGN using RGN_Tool (Zip file attached).