Accidentally unplugged eTrex 20 during update, now it won't boot

Former Member over 10 years ago

As I said in the title, after forgetting that I clicked "update my device" in Basecamp, I turned off my eTrex 20. When I plugged it back in it said something to the effect of "don't turn off this device". Well, it had already been off, interrupting the update. After being unable to do anything I pulled out a battery and now it won't turn on at all.

I've tried doing up+power and menu+enter+power to no avail. When I plug it in Windows tells me that that "the device attached to this computer has malfunctioned.

What can I do to rectify this situation?

Thanks

0 SUSSAMB over 10 years ago

You'll need to force your Etrex into mass storage mode then delete gupdate.gcd which possibly corrupted when you disconnected. This may not resolve the issue, since it depends on what exactly went wrong in the update process. To force your Etrex 20 into mass storage mode push the joystick up then connect the usb cable to your PC. Continue holding the joystick up for 30 seconds or until your Etrex shows the usb symbol.

0 Former Member over 10 years ago

You'll need to force your Etrex into mass storage mode then delete gupdate.gcd which possibly corrupted when you disconnected. This may not resolve the issue, since it depends on what exactly went wrong in the update process. To force your Etrex 20 into mass storage mode push the joystick up then connect the usb cable to your PC. Continue holding the joystick up for 30 seconds or until your Etrex shows the usb symbol.

I tried this several times and nothing happened after 30 seconds. Is there something that can be done if I can't get my eTrex into mass storage mode?

0 SUSSAMB over 10 years ago

If you can't force it into mass storage mode you can't delete the corrupted file. Your only answer then would be to call Product Support

North America Support:

US Toll Free: 1-800-800-1020
Canada: 1-866-429-9296
Mon–Thurs: 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
Fri: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Central Time (closed holidays)

United Kingdom Support:

Freephone from UK landline: 0808 238 0000
Within UK: 0870 850 1242
Outside UK: +44 870 850 1242

For other locales please visit: www.garmin.com/support for contact details

That may be your only option anyway.

0 Former Member over 10 years ago

Thanks. It was a silly mistake and I'm hoping that I didn't brick my Garmin.

0 SUSSAMB over 10 years ago

I suspect you may have :(

0 Former Member over 10 years ago

Etrex20 failed USB boot up

I have just experienced a failure to boot Etrex20 properly to my computer. I don't really know what caused it.

Symptom: Plug my Garmin Etrex20 to USB and instead of ending boot up with the USB icon screen, it displays the top menu but with each icon inoperable.
The computer doesn't know it's there.

I read the thread suggesting holding the joystick in the up position whilst connecting the USB and the computer recognised the Etrex as present, although the Etrex displayed `Garmin`, and not the USB icon. I tried to upload a Route to the Etrex and disconnected. I switched on and no route was visible in Route manager.

Solution: I looked for the file `Gupdate... etc. that was suggested and couldn't find it (using Search), but did find another file which didn't look like it should be there and deleted it (one of mine, not the operating system's). On reboot everything worked as normal.

The Garmin operating system does seem to be prone to problems caused by spurious files. Soon after I received the unit I had a message "inappropriate .jnx file, OK," which halted boot up until I realised it was caused by a failure to understand what Birdseye was when I first used the GPS. I deleted the Birdseye file, which I wasn't using, and the message disappeared.

0 SUSSAMB over 10 years ago

Corrupted files, which appear to have been the problem, can cause all sorts of devices and OS to fail. I wouldn't say Garmin is any different but good to know you were able to find the relevant file and delete it.