Oregon 550 trouble

[+Oysterr51]

I have an Oregon 550 and I am plugged into my computer. All I can get it to do is show the picture under GARMIN that has the 550 connected to the computer with a wire.

 

I have the latest Communication Plug In installed.

 

I am trying to download a cache to my GPS and getting nowhere.

 

What am I doing wrong or not doing please.

 

thanks.. Mike

[+MountainWoods]

Let's start with basic connectivity. When you plug in your GPSr can you see it in the computer's application that lists files (e.g. Windows Explorer, File Explorer, or whatever)?

 

Does it look like you've just plugged in an external drive (commonly known as a jump drive)?

 

If not, then your computer is not recognizing the device.

 

If it is shown as an external drive, do you see some directories thereunder? Especially Garmin?

 

As usual, it would help to know which operating system you are working with, and any other information concerning what you are doing. ("I clicked on such-and-so link." or whatever)

[+Gitchee-Gummee]

Computer? PC or Mac?

 

Cannot, therefore will not address Mac...

 

Your post does read as though you have connectivity... But, just to be sure:

 

Boot up the PC. Do not activate a browser.

Plug Garmin into PC, turn on Garmin. Connectivity would be revealed by an acknowledgement beep or such.

You should then be able to access your Garmin as a removable drive via "Computer" or "My Computer" from the start menu.

If using a [micro]SD card, you should be able to access that also, probably by clicking the [Garmin] drive icon -- it may show automatically.

Note also, that upon turning on the Garmin, it (the Garmin) should tell you that the power source is EXTERNAL (your computer now powers the unit).

 

If none of this happens, it is a connectivity problem. Usually the cord itself, but it could be internal to the Garmin.

USB cords are cheap, fixing the unit itself may not be so.

-----------

 

I have the latest Communication Plug In installed.

Fine.

I am trying to download a cache to my GPS and getting nowhere.

Vague.

 

This could be a browser problem (compatibility), especially if using Internet Express (IE).

If using IE, read this: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/internet-explorer/use-compatibility-view#ie=ie-11 . From that link you can add websites to a Compatibility List. Use the drop-down selection as it applies to your IE version. Add geocaching.com to the list.

 

An alternative solution would be to switch to using Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome. This of course, is assuming that your problem is browser related.

 

Lastly -- does warrant a mention -- You are a Premium Member. You should learn and use Pocket Queries. http://support.Groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=118

 

With a PQ, you simply run the query and download the results, then drag 'n drop the downloaded files (up to 1,0000 geocaches 10X per day) to the unit. No browser involvement, no "Communicator" to mess with, etc. If you can see the [Garmin] drive as noted above, you can load the data.

[+Chrysalides]

Just to expand on the excellent advice given so far : occasionally it takes my Windows machine a minute or two to recognize my Garmin device. I'm not sure why, it never happens with thumb drives or external hard disks, but it may take a while for it to recognize my Garmin Oregon or Nuvi.

 

A couple of times, it wouldn't recognize it no matter what. Then it's hard reset time. Hopefully it doesn't come to that, as it wipes out all your configuration and is a major pain. Turning on the unit normally and clearing the tracks may help. Finally, try a different USB cable if you have one.

[+Oysterr51]

Well nobody actually figured it out, so I went directly to Garmin support and spoke with a great fellow in Oregon.

 

I am using Chrome as my browser so it went like this:

 

Over on the left side, just before HTTP there is a padlock icon. I clicked on this and it brought up a menu.

 

That brought up permissions. I then clicked on Plugins and was then instructed to click on "Always allow on this site".

 

Immediately that then found the Garmin GPS and I was then able to transfer the geocache item from the computer to the GPS.

 

Thanks for your responses, and yes, I have used packets too.

[+Gitchee-Gummee]

http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=327999