Joined: 12 Feb 2009 Posts: 4 Location: USA East Coast
why won't my computer recognize my device (garmin 255w) Thu Feb 12, 2009 11:45 pm
Can anyone hepl me to find out why my computer won't recognize my Garmin 255. I dowloade the garmin web updater but it still cannot find device, thank you.
IF your running windows LOOK in your MY COMPUTER Folder and see if you see a icon named Garmin when the gps is connected to your computer should be with your C: drive
Joined: 12 Feb 2009 Posts: 4 Location: USA East Coast
Garmin file Fri Feb 13, 2009 12:18 am
Yes there is a Garmin file on the drive, the file was there before I plugged in the device. The Garmin web udater launchs fine but cannot find my device
NO open MY COMPUTER you Should see A: C: D: and one name GARMIN then one named removable disk The garmin Drive will be listed with your C: drive not in the C: Drive the garmin folder in your C: drive is the Garmin webupdater program
Joined: 12 Feb 2009 Posts: 4 Location: USA East Coast
cannot find device Fri Feb 13, 2009 12:48 am
There is a folder in "C" named Garmin and a folder "WEBUPDATER". the webupdater does launch but still cannot find my device, ALSO, even thou the device "is" plugged in it does not show up under any of my removable disk drives, I checked the port with digi camera and it did recognize the camera, so I can assume the port is working, however it will not recognize the GPS device.
Joined: 12 Feb 2009 Posts: 4 Location: USA East Coast
Finaly working Fri Feb 13, 2009 1:13 am
After at least an hour my unit popped up on my K drive and the Garmin web updater "FOUND" my device, I have no idea why it took so long, thanks for all of your suggestions and time replying back.
Joined: 03 Aug 2008 Posts: 9 Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Garmin difficult to locate Sat Feb 14, 2009 10:00 pm
I have found that some USB ports deal well with external devices and some don't. There are also some that work some of the time. I have two ports on the front of my computer and one will always recognize a device that is plugged in (be it a GPS, a MP3 player, or a memory stick). The other one will only recognize it some of the time. Possibly you ran into something like this.
Joined: 28 Jan 2009 Posts: 20 Location: Philadelphia
Tue Feb 17, 2009 2:43 am
Make sure you power on your device BEFORE you plug it into the USB port, and VERY IMPORTANT, make sure you don't have an SD card in, since that's been know to cause this issue of "no device" recognized etc.
Joined: 08 Mar 2009 Posts: 3 Location: United States
GPS is connected to computer but not visible Sun Mar 08, 2009 11:48 pm
I am trying to access my Garmin on my computer so I can put in an unlock Code (I am getting a "can't unlock maps" message when I turn the GPS on--I have the Code needed), but I can't see the GPS when I go to My Computer and view my installed hardware devices. It is not listed anywhere. When I plugged it in, I got the"found new hardware" message and then I let Windows XP install it with the right driver automatically. The Device list shows the Garmin in USB devices as properly installed and "working properly", but I can't find the hardware anywhere to access its folders to put in the unlock code. When I plug it in or unplug it with the USB cable, it sounds the chime sound that it is supposed to when you plug or unplug USB storage devices. I have tried other USB ports and even went through the same procedure on my other PC with the same result. So the device is recognized by the computer but not visible. Any suggestions? My GPS is a Street Pilot C340.
Last edited by gosox13 on Mon Mar 09, 2009 4:41 pm; edited 1 time in total
After at least an hour my unit popped up on my K drive and the Garmin web updater "FOUND" my device, I have no idea why it took so long, thanks for all of your suggestions and time replying back.
Joined: 13 Mar 2010 Posts: 1 Location: Washington State
finally, the install maps window "found" my device Sat Mar 13, 2010 1:18 am
I had problems similar to those listed in this topic, except that sometimes the device was found once (managed to get the firmware update) and then not again when I tried to get the maps. I tried it on 2 macs and a xp windows machine, similar thing. The device was listed on the computer but Garmin couldn't see it for installation. My device (brand new) is a nuvi 855. This is what worked for me, finally I thought of it. I took out the battery and started over. Voila. My maps are downloading. Just thought it might help somebody. I'm new here, did a lot of reading before ordering the 855 after getting a 1390 DOA and returning it.
Joined: 07 Mar 2010 Posts: 3 Location: Surrey, BC, Canada
widespread problem Fri Feb 04, 2011 9:47 pm
This problem is widely reported in more than one forum. The difficulty of a computer to detect a Garmin device when its connected via a USB cable is happening to both PC and Macs. Its happening regardless of whether you are using Win XP, Vista or Win 7 and any of the Mac OS.
What is Garmin's response? Update your software! Duh, how do I update the software if my computer cannot detect the device!!
I've had this happen to four nuvi models, where it'll be detected some of the times, but mostly not.
Use the cable that came with your nuvi rather than from another device if possible. And if you have an issue with one USB port then try another. Often the issue is with your computer. In any case I haven't seen any evidence that it's a "widespead" problem.
Joined: 05 Jun 2008 Posts: 11573 Location: New Jersey
Fri Feb 04, 2011 11:16 pm
I've a Garmin Oregon, 60csx, Nuvi 205, 650, 1350, 5000 and 3790. I have a MacBook Pro, Dell Desktop with Win Vista and netbook with Win 7. No problems using any of these.
USB issues are not unheard of, but I don't think it's widespread. More likely than not it's the cable or the use of a USB hub. A methodical approach to troubleshooting using more than one cable and more than one computer should help you identify the problem.
I purchaced a 110v adapter from Walmart for my 1300. No problem with the adapter, it works perfectly. The adapter had about 3 different plugs for various electronic devices, including one that is a mini-USB and is listed as Garmin compatible. The Garmin adapter is a right-angled plug. The Garmin cord male mini-USB plugs into the right-angle adapter, then into to the GPS for charging.
The other night, before doing an update, I casually used the Garmin cord not realizing the AC adapter mini-USB plug was still attached. WebUpdater said it could not find my device. After a couple of reboots, plug-and-unpluggings, I realized the power adapter was the problem. As discussed on other posts here, the pin-out for power and data are different, and it you have the power mini-USB plugged into your Garmin, updates won't work. I removed the power adapter portion of the cord setup and WebUpdater communicated perfectly.
So...make sure you don't still have a power interface still attached.
Joined: 14 Feb 2011 Posts: 2 Location: Cambridge, UK
Same issue with Nuvi 860 Mon Feb 14, 2011 1:48 pm
I'm having the same issue with a Nuvi 860. WebUpdater will not recognize that the GPS is attached (the error message says "some devices were found; however, none have the necessary capabilities"). Webupdater can detect and talk to my eTrex with no problem, so I know that Communicator is installed properly.
An hour with tech support only resulted in being told "it's a problem with your computer", despite the fact that it happens on two different laptops and a desktop. Then I'm told that I need to go and purchase a "genuine" Garmin USB cable (which I did, and nothing changed beside 7.99 out of pocket).
This is getting frustrating, particularly since I've purchased a lifetime map update for this device, but I can't get WebUpdater or MapUpdater to actually talk to the device and update the thing.
I'm ready to toss in the trash and buy a new GPS--non-Garmin! Are other brand's update processes this ridiculously complicated??????
Joined: 24 Sep 2010 Posts: 3435 Location: West Sussex
Mon Feb 14, 2011 1:55 pm
I've never had a problem with the 3 Garmin's I have ... has your 860 ever been able to 'talk' to your PC? If it's new and won't work it's possible it's the nuvi that's faulty ...
Joined: 14 Feb 2011 Posts: 2 Location: Cambridge, UK
Problem Solved (I think) Mon Feb 14, 2011 2:26 pm
After some more searching on this (and other) forums, I found that the firmware on the device needed to be updated from 4.6 to 4.7. Part of the bugfixes for that update were to correct the fact that European models (guess where I bought mine!) of the 860 have problems communicating between the computer and the device. Strange that it only became a problem with Windows 7 (even Vista worked fine).
Anyway, I'm now in the process of updating the maps and now take back my threat to switch to the competition. That said, one would think that the tech support people here in the UK would have asked "uh, which system of firmware are you running?"
48 threads about USB problems and the gps site posers keep stating that this is not a wide spread problem. Some of these want-to-be computer geeks just like to sound like they know something. lol
I have a 300 series Pilot and Garmin support admits that they have intentionally block the unit from showing up under 'My Computer' when plugged into USB slot. WHAT Yes, they Intentionally Block it from showing. I wanted to pair down the size of my map file (eliminate states I dont care about) so I could add more POIs. I have done this on a TOMTOM without any issues. BUT NO....... Garmin blocks you from being able to view the map file. Why? Because they can. Too bad the support is so poor. I really liked the units functionallty, but the support really stinks. This is my last Garmin unless a good hacker knows how to bypass this stupid block.
Joined: 18 Jun 2010 Posts: 177 Location: Katy, Republic of Texas
Sat Apr 23, 2011 2:42 pm
1kickerfish wrote:
48 threads about USB problems and the gps site posers keep stating that this is not a wide spread problem. Some of these want-to-be computer geeks just like to sound like they know something. lol
48 threads with millions of users. Most of which is due to errors on the computer or user, not Garmin.
Quote:
I have a 300 series Pilot and Garmin support admits that they have intentionally block the unit from showing up under 'My Computer' when plugged into USB slot. WHAT Yes, they Intentionally Block it from showing. I wanted to pair down the size of my map file (eliminate states I dont care about) so I could add more POIs. I have done this on a TOMTOM without any issues. BUT NO....... Garmin blocks you from being able to view the map file. Why? Because they can. Too bad the support is so poor. I really liked the units functionallty, but the support really stinks. This is my last Garmin unless a good hacker knows how to bypass this stupid block.
Well, I have no idea about the 300 series not showing up at all, but you cannot alter the Garmin map file on any device (as far as I know).
Your statement is unclear if your 300 does not show up at all ("...block the unit from showing up under 'My Computer' when plugged into USB slot...") or the map file does not show up ("...Garmin blocks you from being able to view the map file...").
Joined: 03 Apr 2011 Posts: 104 Location: Jackson MS
Sun Apr 24, 2011 1:29 am
gatorguy wrote:
Use the cable that came with your nuvi rather than from another device if possible. And if you have an issue with one USB port then try another. Often the issue is with your computer.
I had been using USB cables interchangeably on my GPS and a digital camera and started getting weird intermittent problems when the GPS was on the computer. Buying a new USB cable for the GPS solved the problem.
Alot of times a simple computer reboot will solve alot of problems. Usually caused by software installs. Just something as simple as one software not liking another until the computer (hardware + OS) puts them into check.
It is a Garmin problem. READ the post before you just start making stuff up. Garmin support stated that the 300 series will not show in 'My Computer'. They block it from showing - Somehow - and it causes unsuspected owners countless hours of trying to find the hardware or user problem only to find out it is a [www.r-word.org] block by Garmin. Before you type you need to realize that no response is far better than an incorrect response. We post here for information from people that know what they are talking about and not for snide remarks or poor guesses.
Enough with the bickering, everyone. This thread is about the Nuvi series devices not being recognized by the computer, not the StreetPilot series, which is an entirely different animal. The StreetPilots used different map formats, different connection methods, and will have entirely different troubleshooting methods. We have a Garmin StreetPilot Forum for discussions of those devices.
How to detect your garmin on your computer. Wed Jul 20, 2011 2:48 am
I was having the same problem with the computer unable to detect my garmin. First install GCP which will communicte with your garmin.
Then use IE not Firefox. Apparently this was the major problem.
Good luck guys.
Re: How to detect your garmin on your computer. Wed Jul 20, 2011 8:51 am
mogan wrote:
I was having the same problem with the computer unable to detect my garmin. First install GCP which will communicte with your garmin.
Then use IE not Firefox. Apparently this was the major problem.
Good luck guys.
From my own experience of browsers, I cannot agree with you. I always use Firefox and have never (so far!) had any problems with communicating with my Garmin.
Joined: 05 Jun 2008 Posts: 11573 Location: New Jersey
Wed Jul 20, 2011 12:32 pm
Awhile ago there were problems with Internet Explorer and Garmin's Communicator plug-in such that users weren't able to register their devices with Garmin. I think this has been fixed however.
My dear friends,
I am using the latest firefox and previously my firefox did recognize my Garmin. By chance I used IE and it worked.
That's all I can say. I guess my luck was good.
There is more going on here than meets the eye and it all stems from Garmin. There is no "good" reason why my 775 connects sometimes and not others....on the same computer / USB port / router / ISP....nothing has changed. Not that I think there is a conspiracy by Garmin to "slow" downloads or restrict access but there is definitely something going on from their end.......'cause it sure ain't at my end..... "sometimes"
They (Garmin) must be getting quite a LAUGH from all this forum chatter about the lack of connectivity and all the possible causes.
It has been created by them and is controlled by them and there isn't anything you can do about it.
It's corporate arrogance at it's worst.
And if you think your automotive units are troublesome.....you should try and deal with the software lunacy on their aviation units......big expensive units.
I would never fly with a Garmin....ever !!
I can't get it to work either. I've tried IE, Firefox, and Chrome. I've tried several USB ports. I've tried several different USB cables (I don't know whether any of them came WITH the unit, and can't imagine why it would matter, unless Garmin uses a proprietary pinout scheme).
My computer DOES detect the device: it shows up as a drive (with the triangle icon) under 'my computer', but the web updater just waits forever.
Does anyone know how to do a 'manual' update? The updater says "Don't have a USB cable? Enter your serial number" So I enter my serial number and click the "Find Map Updates" button, and guess what? It just loops back to the same page and continues to attempt to detect the device.
Joined: 20 Jul 2007 Posts: 4 Location: Ogden, Utah, USA
Fri Nov 18, 2011 7:20 pm
Similar problem. The computer has recognized my 60csx before when just plugged in (to download tracks into Google Earth), but now it beeps & the Garmin shows in Device Manager, but it does not show up in Windows Explorer. Tried new batteries, different cable, etc. but no joy. If I change it to Mass Storage mode, it beeps a couple of times and then shows up as an additional drive, but my track files aren't there.
Do you suppose an update to Windows Explorer has somehow screwed up it's ability to recognize the Garmin? Any other suggestions?
Joined: 05 Jun 2008 Posts: 11573 Location: New Jersey
Fri Nov 18, 2011 10:20 pm
Have you tried to load tracks with Mapsource? Use Transfer > Receive from Device. Do you get an error message when you try this, or do your tracks appear on the user data tab? If this works, then it's probably an issue with Google Earth.
On the 60csx, only the memory card will be recognized as a USB disk and maps are all that are stored on the card. The 60csx internal memory cannot be accessed like a disk.
Joined: 20 Jul 2007 Posts: 4 Location: Ogden, Utah, USA
Fri Nov 18, 2011 11:11 pm
Wow, thank you! I guess I'd forgotten how I actually got the tracks into Google Earth and was thinking it was through Win Explorer. Stupid me! When I use the Google Earth menu and tools>gps it sees the Garmin and imports the track fine. Apparently I've never seen it on Windows Explorer and had never actually done it that way, but that's how I remembered it!
That's the only way I'd ever done it (through Google Earth), but I tried the Mapsource way and that works great as well.
Thanks so much -- I need to use this more often than every six months, I guess.
Joined: 03 Apr 2011 Posts: 104 Location: Jackson MS
Fri Nov 18, 2011 11:46 pm
After talking with Garmin support, I bought a new USB cable to connect to the PC. Both Mapsource and Google Earth can now recognize and read the GPS now.
Joined: 19 Nov 2011 Posts: 1 Location: Ottawa, Canada
USB cable & 1450LMT Sat Nov 19, 2011 9:46 pm
Just spent the better part of this afternoon trying to get my aspire one notebook to recognize my GARMIN 1450lmt. AFTER READING THIS FORUM i DECIDED TO USE THE USB CABLE THAT came with the unit. it worked perfectly. I had been using another USB cable that was lying around but it just didn't work.
Joined: 17 Dec 2011 Posts: 1 Location: New England
Sat Dec 17, 2011 2:18 am
Ok,
Even tho none of the replies (in 2.5 years) was exactly the solution, they hinted at it from all angles.
In my case, when I plugged in the Garmin, it ended up hiding underneath a stale Drive letter number (that used to be used by a Network mapping). This happens a lot with any kind of USB device -- especially if you do a lot of mapping of drives and network filesystems and is really bad if you use a laptop for work and bring it home with lots of now, invalid network mappings. Windows will just use the first invalid one and hide your USB device under it. To bring the Garmin USB device into the light, so to speak, you have to go into Disk Management, find the Garmin and CHANGE its letter to an unused one. After doing that on my laptop, the WebUpdater was able to find the device on the next scan.
Control Panel -> Computer Management -> Disk Management (on XP)
Select your GARMIN entry -> Change Drive Letter
All the cases where sometimes you could get it to work and sometimes not was just blind luck getting Windows to use a clear unused Drive letter so it finally worked. Much better to deliberately change the drive letter to a known unused letter and save yourself a lot of heartache.
I have tried to connect my Garmin Nuvi 1300 using computers running Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7, I have tried three different USB cables. I have tried the browser-based updater (under IE and Firefox), and the stand-alone updater. I have checked the firewall and disabled
UAC. It is a forking nightmare.
I have a 300 series Pilot and Garmin support admits that they have intentionally block the unit from showing up under 'My Computer' when plugged into USB slot. WHAT Yes, they Intentionally Block it from showing. I wanted to pair down the size of my map file (eliminate states I dont care about) so I could add more POIs. I have done this on a TOMTOM without any issues. BUT NO....... Garmin blocks you from being able to view the map file. Why? Because they can. Too bad the support is so poor. I really liked the units functionallty, but the support really stinks. This is my last Garmin unless a good hacker knows how to bypass this stupid block.
Your old POS came with Mapsource, right? My old StreetPilot did. I suggest you learn how to use it. Highlight the area you want and leave out the states you don't want. Send to device. If you don't have Mapsource, download and install Basecamp from Garmin for free. Same deal. Ain't that hard.
Your old POS came with Mapsource, right? My old StreetPilot did. I suggest you learn how to use it. Highlight the area you want and leave out the states you don't want. Send to device. If you don't have Mapsource, download and install Basecamp from Garmin for free. Same deal. Ain't that hard.
You do realize your responding to an 11 month old post?
Your old POS came with Mapsource, right? My old StreetPilot did. I suggest you learn how to use it. Highlight the area you want and leave out the states you don't want. Send to device. If you don't have Mapsource, download and install Basecamp from Garmin for free. Same deal. Ain't that hard.
You do realize your responding to an 11 month old post?
I do now. I saw the thread bumped to the top because of another recent replay and just started reading...
Using Original Cable Worked!!! Sat Jul 21, 2012 5:27 pm
Thanks for the tip to use the original cable that came my my Garmin. That's what did the trick after HOURS of scouring forums, swapping out different browser plugins, etc. Was using a different cable with the same port ends and it would power the unit, but not mount or be recognized in application (browser, WebUpdate, etc.)
Joined: 23 Aug 2012 Posts: 3 Location: Connecticut
Thu Aug 23, 2012 12:13 am
Bought a new 3490, registered,updated, added microSDHC card. I have two other Zumo units so I have some experience. Using the correct cable, blah, blah, blah. Mapsource would not recognize the 3490, recognizes the Zumos just fine. I took the routes created in Mapsource, imported them into Basecamp (which I don't like yet), and then downloaded the routes into the 3490 just fine and super quickly. Go figure. For my next trick, I'll see how loading some POIs go.
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Yes, they Intentionally Block it from showing. I wanted to pair down the size of my map file (eliminate states I dont care about) so I could add more POIs. I have done this on a TOMTOM without any issues. BUT NO....... Garmin blocks you from being able to view the map file. Why? Because they can. Too bad the support is so poor. I really liked the units functionallty, but the support really stinks. This is my last Garmin unless a good hacker knows how to bypass this stupid block.
