Having touble with my virb being recognized by my computer

Former Member over 11 years ago

Hi everyone....
I just got my Virb basic and am having an issue connecting it to my PC...
Plugging in the virb via USB to the PC, the PC recognizes it and the virb powers up, green light comes on, then the virb powers off....computer of course loses it just as if you had unplugged it from the computer....
I can take the micro SD card out of the virb, put it in its card adapter, plug it in to the PC and it recognizes it and operates as it should...with the virb edit software, I am then able to upload the videos from the memory card.....

It will just not recognize and keep the Virb on power via USB cable when plugged into the computer. I should be able to plug the Virb in and upload the videos without having to take the card out of the unit...

CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME OUT WITH A SOLUTION???
THANKS in advance for any help someone could provide...

Oh yeah, if you want to see a video of exactly what mine is doing, please look on youtube for a poster named Brad Herder...his video is Garmin VIRB Connect to PC Problem
This is exactly what mine is doing too....

Thanks, Chris

0 Former Member over 11 years ago

it can be a problem with your VIRB.
My first VIRB had problems connecting to a couple of PC's asspecially with a battery that wasn't full.
I used different cables and different ports and these PC's.
It looks like some VIRB might be very critical to the USB port.
The USB port is supposed to carry 5V. There is a tolerance on this.
So gives the port 5.0, 5.1, 4.9, 4.8V or something else?
Also how many current wants the VIRB (charging?) and how much makes this the 5V drop, if it drops?
From my observations it looks like the VIRB has a threshold.
Beneath it the VIRB will see it as an external powersupply or just shuts off.

My current one has no problem connecting and going into USB mode.
I had on several USB ports (the same that my first VIRB had problems with), even no problems when needed charging.

Although Garmin prefers the VIRB connected directly to the PC, I'm wondering if a HUB that has it's own external powersupply could do the trick.

0 fuji_racer over 11 years ago

I'm replying to this really only to see if there are any other idea before I just send this VIRB back.
Excuse my ignorance but what is this "hub"?
Should I just try that?
The camera is not very useful to me if it will not be recognized when plugging in to the main computer I want to use it on.
Man I really hate to have to go thru returning this thing!
I called Garmin and they walked me thru just a few troubleshooting steps but then said they'd have to call me back.
That was 2 weeks ago ........ :(
-FR

0 Former Member over 11 years ago

A "hub" is some kind of splitter, a cable with USB connector on one side, some (mostly 4) USB sockets on the other side.
It's to connect multiple divices to one USB port.

0 fuji_racer over 11 years ago

Roger that.
Purchased a HUB and this did not work.
May be the last straw.
Will decide tomorrow whether to send back or not.
Hate to do it but I think it's my only choice perhaps ..............................
-FR

0 Former Member over 11 years ago

Hello All-

I was able to get my pc (WIN7) to recognize my VIRB Elite by reformatting the SD card and by choosing the other formatting type - for example NTSF vs. FAT or whatever it is. VIRB works great now! Prior to this it was locking up in all kinds of situations, wouldn't record/respond to record 'slider', wouldn't recognize Garmin Updater or VIRB Edit software, etc.

Once the card was reformatted (I beleive using the non-NTSF protocol) it works fine. Records, responds as I think it should, no lock ups, pairs with my Samsung Note II phone, etc., etc., etc. When you hear hoofbeats think horses, NOT zebras.

:cool: