Thread: DriveSmart 51LMTHD (Enterprise Rental Edition) Restricted Mode SOLVED

DriveSmart 51LMTHD (Enterprise Rental Edition)

Unlike most other Garmin models, these units do not have a menu option to disable "Restricted Mode" while driving, therefore they only allow Voice Commands or very minimal touch screen operation when the unit is moving.

The "user settings" of these units are stored in a small database file (settings.db) that may be edited to disable Restricted Mode (known internally as Safe Mode). See "**Editing SQLite .db Files" below.

Restricted Mode can be disabled but the menu option will still be missing.

There are three versions of settings.db on these Garmins: "settingsReadOnly.db" is a view only file that is located in: [Garmin DriveSmart(F:\.System\SQLite\settingsReadOnly.db] this file is only a mirror of the actual "settings.db" and modifying "settingsReadOnly.db" has no effect on "settings.db" or the device's operation.

Both "settings.db" and "settings.db.bckup" are located in the Garmin's RWFS (Read Write File System) on a normally Hidden FAT Partition. This partition will show as a separate drive in Windows Exlorer: GARMIN (G:.

Numerous other .db files along with "settings.db" and "settings.db.bckup" may be found in: [GARMIN (G:\.System\SQLite\]

Factory resetting the device will relace the values in "settings.db" with the default settings and re-enable Safe Mode. The settings existing prior to the latest factory reset are stored in "settings.db.bckup".

Tip: Highlight the original "settings.db" in the SQLite folder on the device, then Ctrl-C, then Ctrl-V and you will get "settings - Copy.db" you can edit or rename as desired. For example, a copy named "settings_safe_off.db" may be stored in [GARMIN (G:\.System\SQLite\] as a permanent backup. (Delete the files in [GARMIN (G:\.System\Diag\Event Logs\] if partition is too full)

To view the above files Windows Explorer View settings must be set to "Show Hidden Files Folders and Drives" and to NOT "Hide extensions for known file types". The drive letters above F: and G: are just examples.

The following steps performed on your Garmin device will allow access to the above files.

1. (Optional) Reset to factory settings: >Settings >Device >Reset >Delete Data and Reset Settings

2. Open Diagnostics Page as follows: From Main Screen (Where To? - View Map - Etc.) select Volume,
Master Volume screen should appear with Volume Slider, press and hold upper right corner of screen for about five seconds, Diagnostics Page should open.

3. From Diagnostics Page: >Configuration and Settings >MTP Settings, Select Mass Storage >Save

Mass Storage Mode allows access to Most device files using a USB data connection with Windows Explorer.

4. From Configuration and Settings Page: >RWFS Settings, Select Show RWFS in Mass Storage >Save

Once set as above, the device will default to Mass Storage and show the RWFS whenever connected to a PC using a USB data cable.

Connect cable, agree to Warning. It takes about a minute before the Garmin shows up in Windows Explorer. Be patient.

**Editing SQLite .db Files:

These files are strictly coded and care must be used when opening, editing and saving to avoid loss of the database structure.

1. Use any Hex Editor, an eprom programmer or the Hex function in Notepad++. Open "settings.db" on the device, change Hex 000086B1 from 09 to 08, save and exit.
Tip: This is easiest method and hex editors such as "HxD Hex Editor" are easy to find free online.

2. Any SQLite database editor such as "SQLite Expert" may also be used to edit "settings.db" directly on the device. Simply open the database, view [data_bool] on the [Data] tab then uncheck the box next to Safe Mode, Refresh then exit.

3. Edit the text in "settings.db" using Notepad++ (Windows Notepad will NOT work).
Open the file, turn on word wrap, search for "safe m", you are looking for the words "Nav.settingsSafe ModeAutomotive" on or about line 55 through 58. Look directly to the left of the "N" in Nav. There will be a light arrow (ascii 09 TAB) if the setting is enabled or a highlighted "BS" (ascii 08 BackSpace) if the setting is disabled. (You should see the light arrow indicating that Safe Mode is enabled). Simply copy any "BS" from another location, highlight the arrow before "Nav." then Paste the "BS", Save and exit.