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Oregon 550 bricked


zhaodaole

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Hi,

 

a few days ago my Garmin Oregon 550 suddenly switched off, and since then I'm not able to power it up anymore.

 

The device doesn't even show the "Garmin" bootscreen. When attached to the computer over USB, the unit is getting hot - you're not able to touch the sdcard-holder anymore barehanded.

 

First thing tried was "Master Reset": hold upper left corner & power on -> nothing

Then: forced USB mass storage: not possible as the device doesn't even boot up

Then forced upgrade with RGN file: hold power button, attach usb, start update program: program doesn't "see" gps

Then update over SD-card: put gupdate.gcd in garmin folder on sdcard -> nothing

 

Only once when connected to the computer the unit powered up into mass storage - but before I could delete all the gpx-files the unit died again.

 

As I'm in the middle of a one-year trip in Central Asia, any help that doesn't include "send the device back to garmin" would be appreciated.

 

My suspicions go into two directions: either there's really a hardware problem - then I'm screwed. The other possibility is that the internal memory is completely destroyed. Is there any way to put a clean image onto the device apart from USB (JTAG, internal serial port, ...)?

 

Disoriented in Uzbekistan

zhaodaole

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My suspicions go into two directions: either there's really a hardware problem - then I'm screwed. The other possibility is that the internal memory is completely destroyed.

I'm guessing it's a hardware problem. You could try a different USB port, in case there's a weird voltage from your PC. But it's unfortunately more likely a short inside the Garmin. Does the computer or the Garmin smell burned up?

 

Remove the SD card and try it without that. Is there anything rattling inside the GPSr?

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My suspicions go into two directions: either there's really a hardware problem - then I'm screwed. The other possibility is that the internal memory is completely destroyed.

I'm guessing it's a hardware problem. You could try a different USB port, in case there's a weird voltage from your PC. But it's unfortunately more likely a short inside the Garmin. Does the computer or the Garmin smell burned up?

 

Remove the SD card and try it without that. Is there anything rattling inside the GPSr?

 

@Splashy: I tried all possibilities from http://garminoregon.wikispaces.com/Miscellaneous, as I've written in my initial post ... Unfortunately none of them worked :-(

 

@kunarion: Tried on different computers, different USB-ports ... all the same. And of course with and without SD-Card. My Garmin is getting _really_ hot when I try to switch it on while connected via USB - the SD-Card holder is not touchable anymore without burning your fingers. But it is not smelling burned ...

 

Does anybody have an idea how to erease the internal memory or to put a clean image on the Oregon 550 without using USB or SD-Card - for example an internal serial port, JTAG, ...?

 

I would really aprecciate any comments!

Christoph

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"Does anybody have an idea how to erease the internal memory or to put a clean image on the Oregon 550 without using USB or SD-Card - for example an internal serial port, JTAG, ...?"

 

Only Garmin can do this on the moment.

 

Contact them and they will suggest a swap with a refurbished unit for about $120.

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@Splashy: I already contacted Garmin, but until now they didn't reply. And furthermore, I doubt it will be easy to get any service like this "on the road" - for the next time I'll be in Turkmenistan & Iran ...

 

@insig: SOL - that pretty much brings it down to three letters ...

 

@Pacific NW: I'm using eneloop NiMH - got 5 pairs new half a year ago, but use them nearly every day in a roundabout way. And yes, I tried connecting with and without batteries

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My Oregon 550 just died after a webupdater "job".

 

No way to get into mass storage mode. No life signal... No USB detection, tried with and without batteries, with and without sdcard...totally bricked, this is very sad.

 

Anyone found a solution? Like opening it and tried some kind of hard connection via Serial or any other way to upload a new firmware when the mass storage way does not respond?

 

Thanks all.

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I'm afraid your unit is fried (boiling hot sd holder :ph34r: )

Buy local a new one, or let somebody sent one via UPS.

 

Unfortunately the trip is over already :-( Luckily we brought a backup bluetooth gps dongle with us. Buying a new one wasn't possible there (not available), and UPS and the like take about 4 weeks for delivery. Two month later a visiting friend brought me a new unit ...

 

But still I'd be interested if there is any possibility to access/recover the device apart from USB ...

 

Thanks for all your help ...

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