Etrex30 updates killed my GPS

[+Doctor Owl]

A fellow cacher told me I could get updates from Garmin for my etrex30. Last night I downloaded the updates from the Garmin site. It killed my GPS. (I had to go caching with a phone. The ignominy!)Garmin talked me through a reset which didn't work and I can't even connect the GPS to my computer to try another fix. The response? So sorry, go and buy another one of our GPSs. Nothing to do with our website. It's sheer coincidence that your unit died after downloading an update from our website. What are you doing with a GPS 2 years old anyway? (Or words to that effect.)

 

Does anyone know what I can do?

[+Manville Possum]

A fellow cacher told me I could get updates from Garmin for my etrex30. Last night I downloaded the updates from the Garmin site. It killed my GPS. (I had to go caching with a phone. The ignominy!)Garmin talked me through a reset which didn't work and I can't even connect the GPS to my computer to try another fix. The response? So sorry, go and buy another one of our GPSs. Nothing to do with our website. It's sheer coincidence that your unit died after downloading an update from our website. What are you doing with a GPS 2 years old anyway? (Or words to that effect.)

 

Does anyone know what I can do?

 

Something very similar happened to me. I sent the unit back to the factory for a software update.

[+geodarts]

I had an out of warranty Montana that appeared to be bricked under similar circumstances, and was able to fix it by flashing new firmware (.rgn) to it. It would not start. Nothing appeared to happen when I connected it. It was tricky to get the gpsr to connect into a forced storeage mode and I almost gave up. It did not connect by simply plugging a USB cable in, and things had to be done in a timed sequence. But it worked. People have reported using similar procedures with an etrex.

 

The instructions I followed on the Montana would not work for the etrex with its different hardware and firmware, but it might give you a general outline of what needs to be done. And it has links to at least one of the tools you would need. This thread on another site has some discussion about it relating to the etrex 20 and 30. As does this blog (original in Indonesian). Google it and if you are adventurous it might just work.

 

You could try talking to garmin again. And It would be nice if someone here has direct experience with flashing an etrex. In any event, however, all is not necessarily lost and if you cannot convince garmin to do anything about it on their own, there may be an alternative to sending it back for out of warranty repair or buying a new unit.

Edited August 25, 2015 by geodarts

[+luvvinbird]

For what it's worth, I like to clear all GPX files in the Garmin folder before updating. I own two 30's (and two 20's) and they all updated trouble free.

[+Mineral2]

Did you try to manually update it, or did you use Garmin Express? You should always use Garmin Express to update the software in your units.

[+BAMBOOZLE]

This is not going to help but the old sayings " leave well enough alone " and if it ain't broke ,don't fix it " usually work for me. I'll only upgrade my units to correct a real problem ( very slow " sticky " responsiveness of early Oregon and 62 series ) or if a feature is added that I really want ( adding found button to compass page ).....if everything is fine I'm not going to take the risk for bells and whistles that I don't use.

For the record, never have had problems upgrading firmware with Garmin or Magellan.

[+Doctor Owl]

I am technologically inept, so most of the advice here is incomprehensible to me. (However, thanks to everyone and I will copy it and take it to someone who might be able to decipher it for me!)

To answer the questions I do know... I downloaded Garmin Express and followed the prompts. All seemed to be going well. I did a safe eject. I turned off the unit. It won't turn on again. I get the very first screen but it doesn't get any further. My computer doesn't recognise it at all. I was talked through a hard boot by the Garmin help desk, which should have restored the settings, but it didn't work.

I have been caching with a phone for a week (Oh, the ignominy!) until my new GPS arrived. I have an upgraded model and am still learning how to work it, so the phone is still at hand. When I get time I will have another go at restoring the settings on the Etrex so I can have a backup.

But I've learnt a hard lesson and what isn't on the new GPS is not getting put on it!

[wwjd7]

No one has mentioned this yet, and I’m not saying this was the reason, but make sure there are good, fresh batteries installed when installing an update. Burning the internal flash memory takes current, and if the batteries aren’t up to snuff, the burn will fail, and have a high probability of bricking the unit.

[+BAMBOOZLE]

No one has mentioned this yet, and I’m not saying this was the reason, but make sure there are good, fresh batteries installed when installing an update. Burning the internal flash memory takes current, and if the batteries aren’t up to snuff, the burn will fail, and have a high probability of bricking the unit.

 

AMEN....I have done dozens of upgrades going back to my Magellan days and you need fresh batteries.

[+Red90]

Not sure if you have tried loading the firmware via pre-boot mode or not??

 

http://www.gpspower.net/garmin-tutorials/331151-unbrick-etrex-20-30-without-cure-fw.html

[+brooka13]

I have an extrex 30. Just over 1year downloading the programme same thing happened to me. Contacted garmin who sent me details on how to fix problem .Failed every time I tried .Contacted garmin again and employee tried to talk me through process no go. Took etrex to friend with more knowledge than me . He managed to upload all the information sent to me failed. Contact garmin again told me to sent it back to factory. 2days later phone call saying the it is a faulty machine and replaced it with a new one. No complaints with it so far but I will not download any more programmes