Joined: 21 Mar 2008 Posts: 21 Location: Mobile, Alabama
I did have a backup Sat Mar 22, 2008 5:35 pm
Tim wrote:
If you have a backup, you should be set.
Fortunately or unfortunately, it appears that my original software was 7.480. In other words, that is the version that shipped on my device.
I have looked for speech files in the asr folder of both my backups directory and the directory in my 720, and there are none.
In checking my map version, however, I have 705.1481, when the latest map is 7.15, so my map is not the latest. When I tried to update to a newer map (my 720 is two days old), the Home app tells me I am current, and if i try to enter the code on the card that came with my unit, it is said to be out of date, promotion expired.
I have called tech support, and they let me email a .pdf of my proof of purchase, and I am going to call them back, and, hopefully, get the instructions for downloading 7.15.
The huge question, of course, is whether this download will allow me to enable voice recognition, since I never had the speech files. Will they be on 7.15?
I guess that is the $64K question. I have already updated to Home 2. I hope that was not a mistake.
Let's take a step back first... The GO 720 does not come with voice recognition in North America. Only the 920 does.
However, there was a hack whereby if you had the 710 map or later (not application, but map version) you could trick it into enabling voice recognition.
It seems very unlikely that your device could have shipped with the 7.480 software version since it was just released a few days ago. Especially since if it came with a firmware version that recent, it might have likely also shipped with a newer map version.
Voice Recognition (VR) wasn't capable of working on North America maps below the 7.10 level, so yes, you'll need an upgrade.
I am quite amazed that ou say your unit came with the 7.48 firmware. It wasn't released until a few das ago so I'm certain it wasn't in the pipeline for units, even new units, on retail shelves.
Do this: turn on your unit, tap the satellite bars, now you'll see a screen showing the firmware version installed. If indeed, it does show 7.480, I suspect you got it as a download via TTHome.
Be that as it may, if you do have the 7.48 versioninstalled, don't panic if you have no support_asr.dat file in your asr folder; your unit may not need it to work. But, as I said, you DO need at least the 7.10 maps.
Finally, a new firmware version to replace the 7.48 is supposed to be available on Thursday.
Joined: 21 Mar 2008 Posts: 21 Location: Mobile, Alabama
Current Shipping Firmware Sat Mar 22, 2008 6:27 pm
Tim wrote:
It seems very unlikely that your device could have shipped with the 7.480 software version since it was just released a few days ago. Especially since if it came with a firmware version that recent, it might have likely also shipped with a newer map version.
I bought my unit from Dell. It shipped on Monday and I got the unit on Wednesday. Dell would be a large volume customer, so it would think it possible that my 720 could have shipped with the newer firmware.
Unfortunately, I do see the following file in the Downloads folder of my backup directory: navcore_7.480.9084.gox20.cab. Wouldn't this mean that I must have downloaded it? Since I did a backup, I wonder why I can't find the prior .cab.
It still seems unlikely that the new firmware update would be installed in the components, shipped from China, and out in your hands all in the past couple of days.
The fact that you have that file in your download directory does seem to indicate that it didn't originally come with your device.
You wouldn't have a previous application in that directory corresponding to the one that came on your device as shipped because it wasn't downloaded... it would be part of the backup.
So if you do have a backup that was created before it was upgraded, then you can just restore that backup to start with.
Joined: 21 Mar 2008 Posts: 21 Location: Mobile, Alabama
I think I am Simply Out of Luck Sat Mar 22, 2008 6:48 pm
Tim wrote:
It still seems unlikely that the new firmware update would be installed in the components, shipped from China, and out in your hands all in the past couple of days.
The fact that you have that file in your download directory does seem to indicate that it didn't originally come with your device.
You wouldn't have a previous application in that directory corresponding to the one that came on your device as shipped because it wasn't downloaded... it would be part of the backup.
So if you do have a backup that was created before it was upgraded, then you can just restore that backup to start with.
And that is my problem. The asr folder in my backup directory does not contain any speech files. Wouldn't they be there if I had backed up prior to installing? In the process of installing the new Home app update, and all of the various downloads, I must not have backed up the orignal device files (if I ever had the speech files). I don't see how that could be, since I thought I did a backup before I let anything change.
I have a feeling that I am just going to have to do without voice recognition. Reading internet posts about that hidden feature was one of the reasons I bought the TomTom.
Re: I think I am Simply Out of Luck Sat Mar 22, 2008 6:56 pm
mobilelawyer wrote:
And that is my problem. The asr folder in my backup directory does not contain any speech files.
That is exactly right because you have the 705 map which didn't yet have those files. That is why you need the newer map (as one piece of the puzzle) in order for voice recognition to work.
Joined: 21 Mar 2008 Posts: 21 Location: Mobile, Alabama
Re: I think I am Simply Out of Luck Sat Mar 22, 2008 7:07 pm
Tim wrote:
mobilelawyer wrote:
And that is my problem. The asr folder in my backup directory does not contain any speech files.
That is exactly right because you have the 705 map which didn't yet have those files. That is why you need the newer map (as one piece of the puzzle) in order for voice recognition to work.
That's what I have been trying to ask. So the speech files come with the new map? Maybe I'm not cooked. I thought the original firmware determined whether you got them, but from what you are saying, the speech files on on the new map. That is good news to hear.
Joined: 21 Mar 2008 Posts: 21 Location: Mobile, Alabama
Almost There... Maybe Sat Mar 22, 2008 10:01 pm
Tim wrote:
Correct. Map version 705, no speech files. Map version 710 and later gets the speech files.
O.K. I have downloaded the NA map 7.15.
The various speech files are in the North_America_2GB folder, not ASR where is was looking. These are the ones that are named cspeech_*.asr.
So these are the speech files that I did not have before.
The ASR folder has the acmod3200_car_* files. I understand these are also speech recognition support files. If my understanding is correct, and those files were already in my backup ASR folder, because I had them all along.
I had already installed the support_asr.dat file to the unit, but I noticed the date is different, and the support_asr.dat file that I had backed up had a 3-20 date, where the new file is 2-2-08. Not really sure what significance that has. They are both one byte files.
Bottom line, when I start to enter an address, the "Spoken Address" and "Spoken Address (Dialog)" options are available, but when they are selected the voice symbol in the right hand side of he screen is grayed out.
Not sure what to do now, but I feel that I am close.
Right, so now you seem up to the point that many people here are after they updated their application to the version that was released a couple of weeks ago.
So your options are try try to downgrade to the previous application version if you have a backup that goes back that far (sounds like you might not) or wait until they (perhaps) fix the issue on the 720. Keep in mind that since VR on the 720 is merely a hack, TomTom might not address the issue for 720 owners. (At least they wouldn't be obligated to.)
Joined: 21 Mar 2008 Posts: 21 Location: Mobile, Alabama
This Solution Did Work for Me Mon Mar 24, 2008 1:02 pm
infama wrote:
Old application:
Try this site http://www.oldboy.me.uk/TomTomUpdates/index.html you can get the old stuff there.
I downloaded the older 7.221 software and extracted it directly into my 720, overwriting all the older files. Voice recognition worked perfectly after that.
I had already loaded the support file needed to make it work.
We will have to see what happens when I connect back to Home. It may not be pretty!
But the 720 is working just fine, shows the 7.221 software.
Joined: 25 Dec 2007 Posts: 27 Location: Southern, CA
Mon Mar 24, 2008 4:06 pm
Quote:
I downloaded the older 7.221 software and extracted it directly into my 720, overwriting all the older files. Voice recognition worked perfectly after that.
I had already loaded the support file needed to make it work.
We will have to see what happens when I connect back to Home. It may not be pretty!
But the 720 is working just fine, shows the 7.221 software.
I am having the same issue with the 920 and I am going to try this when I get home. Would you mind giving me semi-detailed instructions on how you extracted the older version to you Tom Tom. I have never done this before and Iwant to make sure I do not mess up the device.
Joined: 21 Mar 2008 Posts: 21 Location: Mobile, Alabama
Here it is, but Proceed at your own risk!! Mon Mar 24, 2008 4:59 pm
IceMonkey77 wrote:
Quote:
I downloaded the older 7.221 software and extracted it directly into my 720, overwriting all the older files. Voice recognition worked perfectly after that.
I had already loaded the support file needed to make it work.
We will have to see what happens when I connect back to Home. It may not be pretty!
But the 720 is working just fine, shows the 7.221 software.
I am having the same issue with the 920 and I am going to try this when I get home. Would you mind giving me semi-detailed instructions on how you extracted the older version to you Tom Tom. I have never done this before and Iwant to make sure I do not mess up the device.
Thanks!
I will be happy to tell you what I did, but just because it worked for me, unfortunately, does not mean that it will work for you. I just held my breath and did it. I have not yet re-connected to Home, and I have no idea how my Home 2 software is going to like my "new" device, sporting a downgraded software. I will just have to cross that bridge when I come to it.
You are therefore warned that following this particular procedure was neither reccomended nor condoned by TomTom, and if you try it, and it makes your unit inoperable, TomTom may not help you fix it. If you follow this procedure, you do so at your own risk!
That being said, I followed the link posted in this thread, and dowloaded a zipped file which was identified as the 7.221 software.
I made sure Home was not running and connected the 720 to my computer, following the prompt on the 720 that I wanted to connect with the computer. I made sure my computer was set to show all files, including hidden files. I then opened the "drive" that was my 720, and selected its entire contents to copy. I then copied those contents (about 1.8GB I think) to a seperate folder on a seperate drive in case I have to use them in the future.
I then used the Extract All off the zip menu and extracted to the "root" of my 720 drive the entire contents of the zipped file. I received numerous warnings that I was overwriting folders and files, including the ASR folder, and I confirmed that I wanted to overwrite each of them. This will obviously take a few minutes to accomplish.
I had already created and added the 1 byte support file mentioned in these threads to my 720, and it was not overwritten, because that file was not in the zipped file. If you have not already added the support.dat file, you need to create and add it to your ASR folder.
I then turned the 720 off and undocked it.
When I booted it back up, voice recognition for entering addresses was fully functional, and I had never had that funtionality before, since I foolishly downloaded Home 2.2 before checking these forums, and never backed up the 7.221 software.
So, there you have it. I really wanted spoken address entry feature, and I read about it in various reviews, and was determined to get it for my 720. I was willing to take the chance, and I got lucky.
I simply cannot assure you, however, that this will work for you. You always have the option of waiting for the new upgrade which may be coming out this week that may fix everything without your having to chance this procedure.
Keep in mind that the "fixed" update due this week may still remove voice recognition on the 720's, as it was never intended for the NA version. Just have to wait and see.
Keep in mind that people who choose NOT to upgrade still will have access to Home 2 as well. Thus downgrading should not be a problem. Other things can go wrong though from user error.
Joined: 21 Mar 2008 Posts: 21 Location: Mobile, Alabama
Maybe You Better Hold Off Tue Mar 25, 2008 1:41 am
mobilelawyer wrote:
IceMonkey77 wrote:
Quote:
I downloaded the older 7.221 software and extracted it directly into my 720, overwriting all the older files. Voice recognition worked perfectly after that.
I had already loaded the support file needed to make it work.
We will have to see what happens when I connect back to Home. It may not be pretty!
But the 720 is working just fine, shows the 7.221 software.
I am having the same issue with the 920 and I am going to try this when I get home. Would you mind giving me semi-detailed instructions on how you extracted the older version to you Tom Tom. I have never done this before and Iwant to make sure I do not mess up the device.
Thanks!
I will be happy to tell you what I did, but just because it worked for me, unfortunately, does not mean that it will work for you. I just held my breath and did it. I have not yet re-connected to Home, and I have no idea how my Home 2 software is going to like my "new" device, sporting a downgraded software. I will just have to cross that bridge when I come to it.
Well, I tried to cross that bridge tonight, and it was not pretty. Cannot connect to Home 2 at all and get the following error:
Component returned failure code: 0x80004005(NS_ERROR_Failure [nslProperties.get]
I think I should clarify something.... I purchased my 720 3 weeks ago from Future Shop (Canada). It definately had working speech recognition when I purchased it. I did not "hack" it in any way. In fact, since I was just "testing" it before I purchased a 2nd unit for my other vehicle, I hadn't even hooked it up to the computer to do ANY updates.
For the past month, I had working speech recognition from the factory. My new 2nd device (purchased 1 week ago) also has factory enabled speech recognition (also a 720).
Now that I have decided to keep the device because I like the features it has, I though I should get the map updates, etc before the 30 days of free updates were up.
I installed TomTom Home from the website (v2) and hooked up my 720. It notified me that there was a firmware update and prompted me to install it. (No option to backup the device before hand.)
Now that I have v7.48, I have the same problem as everyone else. The buttons are there to use "spoken" addresses and they "work", but I get a greyed-out mouth in the top right corner and recognition no longer works.
While it may not be "advertised", the North American model definately comes with speech recognition from the factory... no hack needed. I've got a second 720 that has never been "upgraded" or hacked in any way to prove it. (I'll try to make time to post the os version and map version when I get home and can check what it came with.)
I hope they fix the problem fast and don't permanently disable the option since I've already convinced 2 friends to purchase the same model, showing off the features (including speech recognition). I've also purchased a 2nd 720 for my other vehicle. I'd hate to need to argue for them to enable features that were there when I tried it in store and influenced my decision to buy that model. That would be false and misleading advertising of the demo units.
I think I should clarify something.... I purchased my 720 3 weeks ago from Future Shop (Canada). It definately had working speech recognition when I purchased it. I did not "hack" it in any way. In fact, since I was just "testing" it before I purchased a 2nd unit for my other vehicle, I hadn't even hooked it up to the computer to do ANY updates.
For the past month, I had working speech recognition from the factory. My new 2nd device (purchased 1 week ago) also has factory enabled speech recognition (also a 720).
Now that I have decided to keep the device because I like the features it has, I though I should get the map updates, etc before the 30 days of free updates were up.
I installed TomTom Home from the website (v2) and hooked up my 720. It notified me that there was a firmware update and prompted me to install it. (No option to backup the device before hand.)
Now that I have v7.48, I have the same problem as everyone else. The buttons are there to use "spoken" addresses and they "work", but I get a greyed-out mouth in the top right corner and recognition no longer works.
While it may not be "advertised", the North American model definately comes with speech recognition from the factory... no hack needed. I've got a second 720 that has never been "upgraded" or hacked in any way to prove it. (I'll try to make time to post the os version and map version when I get home and can check what it came with.)
I hope they fix the problem fast and don't permanently disable the option since I've already convinced 2 friends to purchase the same model, showing off the features (including speech recognition). I've also purchased a 2nd 720 for my other vehicle. I'd hate to need to argue for them to enable features that were there when I tried it in store and influenced my decision to buy that model. That would be false and misleading advertising of the demo units.
All you have to do is backup the untouched 720 and then copy over the NavCore 7.221 application to the upgraded one. Just dont copy over the map folders, as they are device specific, but you copy copy overe everything else from the 7.221 backup. This will make the upgaraded one again identical to the untouched unit.
I've checked the version that is on my factory TomTom 720.
My 2nd device has App version 7.221 and North America Map version 710.1584
It definitely has voice recognition factory installed and working. I will see if I can downgrade my other device using this one's firmware later this afternoon.
From the posts of other users, I think this should get my 720 working properly again. I'm not sure I should even attempt to use TomTom home any more. Hopefully this is a one-time occurrence of a nasty bug getting into a released firmware.
It is apparent that TomTom acquiesced to the fact that North American TomTom users of 720's had stumbled upon the 'hack' to enable the VR on their units. It was NEVER meant to be so for the 720's here while it was ALWAYS true for 720 European 720's.
You are not the only one to report that VR worked out of the box when you bought it. Other recent purchases have experienced the same situation.
Whether the new firmware fix for 7.480 due today (so said an employee of TomTom .... we'll see) resolves the issue for NA 720 users who have 7.48 on their units but NO VR or not remains to be seen.
Joined: 21 Mar 2008 Posts: 21 Location: Mobile, Alabama
Much Better News on the Home Front Sat Mar 29, 2008 3:51 pm
Got it fixed, and fixed very easily. I must have stepped on a file somewhere along the line. I also downloaded the SP 1 fix for Vista earlier this week, and now I am thinking it may have been the culprit.
Now, prior to calling tech support, I had wiped by 720 and copied my Explorer back up of the entire contents of the 720 drive, which contained the 7.480 software. I was still gettting the same error referenced above. The 720 was working perfectly, though, reporting 7.480 software, and, of course with the speech recongnition input broken since I had "reverted" back to the newest software.
Anyhow, called tech support, and they suggested uninstalling Home 2, and they sent a .reg file that was designed to clean old entries. I ran both, and the unit connected to Home 2 just fine.
I did a back up of the current configuration through Home.
Not content to stop there, I copied the 7.221 files which were downloaded from the link several posts above back into my 720. This had previously allowed voice recognition. I really don't think it makes any difference, but instead of telling the Vista zip utility to extract the files directly onto the "root" of the 720 drive, I extracted the zip first into another folder, and then selected and copied the extracted folders and files, and then copied those onto the 720, telling Vista to overwrite the files. I held my breath.
Turned the 720 on... No problem. 7.221 software reported. Voice recognition... back and working perfectly. Used Home 2 to back up this configuration.
Of course, now when I connect, the 7.480 update is offered for download. I guess until (if ever) a voice recognition fix is offered that will work on the 720, I will not be downloading the new software. If no such fix is made and the new software is designed to kill VR, then I just won't download.
I am perfectly happy with the 720 as it is. I assume the only feature that I will have to live without is the gps fix software which I understand works only with the 7.480 update. I would rather have functioning VR. Much more important to me.
My VR works but I may have sowngraded wrong Tue Apr 01, 2008 1:30 am
My TT came with the 7.221 firmware and 705 maps. When ran TT Home 2.2 for the first time, I let it download and install 7.48. Oops! Then I learned about the newer US map, so I contacted support that pushed the 715 map to my TT Home.
I wanted VR to work so I replaced replaced my TT's ASR folder from the one provided in the UK download link for 7.221. I hit the reset and VR is working
However, when I go to the version number, it states I still have 7.48. Is this OK? Was I supposed to replace all the files/folders from the 7.221 download and not just the ASR folder?
Hey, if it works, it works. Question: Do your satellite bars show vertically or horizontally? Another question: Do you now see a voice meter when you are speaking?
Yes, my GPS bars are vertical and I do get the voice meter that changes with my voice intensity. I like the fact then when I pull up names and are given a list, I can just speak the corresponding list number without physically touching the screen, then I just say "OK" and the routing begins. This is sweet so far.
I see 2 options to speak, one is Spoken Address and the other is Spoken Address with "Dialog". What's the diff?
joephu, those features were in the previous version as well. (except for voice volume level.) See my 920T page with info on those two options and some tips for setting it up so you only need one tap to enter an address.
(spoken address dialog)
Tap this button to enter an address using only speech. Using this option,
your GO can recognize the following:
• Commands: Yes, No, Back, Done, OK, Crossing.
• Street names.
• Place names.
• Numbers: Numbers should be pronounced as individual numerals. For
example, to say the number 35, say "Three" and then say "Five."
Using Spoken address (dialog), you can enter information without tapping
the screen.
Spoken address
Tap this button to enter an address using both speech and by tapping the
screen. Using this option your GO can recognize the following:
• Street names.
• Place names.
Using Spoken address is typically faster than using Spoken address
(dialog).
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