Problem Communication with the Garmin Device

Former Member over 14 years ago

I have an Oregon 400t with software 3.80 on it. After a 3 day trip I came back to get data off it onto my Mac (OSX 10.6.4 fully patched) using BaseCamp 3.02.

I get the error message "There was a problem communicating with the Garmin device." Both the Oregon and the installed memory card are mounted properly on my desktop. The memory card is read fine by BaseCamp. It just won't show any data on the Oregon.

This had been working fine.

I've tried the Clean Eject utility. I've removed the batteries and restarted. I've reinstalled software 3.8.

Does anyone have any ideas of what else to try?

(as a side note, I can't view or delete any tracks in the Manage Tracks icon either.)

0 Former Member over 13 years ago

Matteo,

If you have removed all of the GPX files on your nuvi, you might try reinstalling the nuvi software via WebUpdater.

Cheers,

0 Former Member over 13 years ago

I have almost the same problem:
Running BaseCamp 3.2.2 on OS 10.6.8 with Nuvi 250.
Weeks ago I have buy the lifetime updater for Nuvi, in these days I had used the device and basecamp without problems but today it won't works.
"There was a problem communicating with the Garmin device."

BaseCamp shows me the device but there is nothing in it and I can't import and export waypoints or stuff.

BaseCamp is also too slow doing everything (after the communication problem appears).

Can somebody help me?

Thanks!

Do you have any other files in your device's /Garmin folder? Is any text output to your console when that "There was a problem communicating with the Garmin device." alert pops up?

Applications/Utilities/Console.app is most easily opened via spotlight (cmd + space, then type "Console"). You can use it to check your console output by opening it and clicking the "all output" item in the left tableview.

0 Former Member over 13 years ago

I'm getting the "There was a problem communicating with the Garmin device" error message when attaching my eTrex 30 when running BaseCamp 3.3.1. I'm using a MacBook with Mac OS X 10.7.3. I tried it with and without the micro-SD card. You get the same error. I only get the message when the unit is set in Mass Storage Device mode. In Garmin mode, there isn't an error.

The thing is, it doesn't seem to be affecting the operation of the device or of BaseCamp. All the files are where they are supposed to be. It's that pesky error message that is troubling. Anyone at Garmin aware of this? I've e-mailed them, I'm waiting for a response.

The following was recorded in the Console.
"3/8/12 1:34:33.081 AM BaseCamp Log: Card Product Not Preprogrammed : 000-00000-00 Version :0.00
3/8/12 1:34:33.081 AM BaseCamp Log: Card Product Rejected : /Volumes/NO NAME/Garmin/gmapsupp.img
3/8/12 1:34:42.764 AM BaseCamp Log: Card Product Cancelled: /VOLUMES/GARMIN/GARMIN/GMAPTZ.IMG: Reading Charts Aborted"

0 Former Member over 13 years ago

Possible solution

I deleted all the .gpx files from the gpx folder on the device. After rebooting the device, the error ceased to come up. I simply recopied all my gpx files back over to it and everything seems to be working right. Just thought you guys might like to know that there seems to be a fix and it's a simple one.

0 danham_ over 13 years ago

That has the look of directory corruption. When you look at filenames in the Finder, do you see any with odd characters or garbage in them?

If so, it may be possible to fix it yourself. Make a full backup, including any invisible files (which you should do regardless), and then reformat the GPS as FAT32 using Disk Utility and copy everything back.

WARNING: Though I have done this successfully on several nuvis I cannot guarantee it will work on your device and if it doesn't, you will have a full-featured paperweight on your hands and my phone is unlisted [grin].

Good luck,

-dan