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Forerunner 305 - connectivity problem , "unexpectedd error", etc.

Former Member over 10 years ago

Hi all,

Before posting here I have searched the forum - there is plenty of similar threads and I tried all the solutions there given, but it all fails to work for me... So:

I have a Forerunner 305. I have been using it for 6 years now and actually never really used Garmin Express or Garmin Connect, but uploaded my trainings directly to endomondo. If I ever had a problem uploading the workouts there, it was just a matter of restarting the system or turning on & off the device few times or just clearing up the history - and problem was solved.
Last time I did it was March 9th and then I had a longer period of not running, until last week (21-04). As usually, I connected my Garmin through the USB to my computer. Endomondo didn't detect any device and then I used all the tricks I usually did as mentioned before. Nothing worked, so I went to Garmin Express, which I had installed some time last year as I also needed to manage the nuvi navigation system. Garmin express also does not "see" the Forerunner. And device is connected and charging the battery- no problem there. I tried connecting it and disconnecting it several times, restarted my computer, followed the "soft reset" (pressing "mode" & "lap/reset" for 10+ seconds) to no effect. :mad: Actually after first restarting the computer the Garmin Express wouldn't start and all I saw was:

I went also to the garmin software support webpage, which confused me even more: It says "Garmin Express is not compatible with your operating system. You will need to upgrade your OS to use Garmin Express."
>>

I am using Windows 8.1 & Chrome (Version 42.0.2311.90 m).

#Edit: Status screen from Garmin Express, with the device USB-connected but clearly not detected:

I also have noticed that the Garmin Communicator Plugin does not work. It is installed, but again the message from garmin site is quite confusing:

Meanwhile, my device in Connect is visible as follows:

I somehow managed to connect for a moment last week and manually exported data from Connect to feed it into the endomondo. But since yesterday I am trying to do it again with the latest workout and I'm getting nowwhere.

I tried to figure out what happened between march (last sync with endomondo without any issues) and now - the only thing is that I moved and therefore changed the internet provider and instead of the cable, now I use LTE (4G) + modem/router wifi. Aside form some routine updates to chrome, etc - nothing else.

uuuuff.... that came out a loooong post. Hope there will be someone able to help me. Thanks!

0 EXPRESSCUSTOMERCARE over 10 years ago

jarek_mat

I am sorry that you are having trouble syncing your Forerunner. Are you running Google Chrome in desktop mode or Windows 8 mode? The Garmin Communicator Plugin will not work in this mode and it could also cause the issue that you mentioned on the Garmin Express download page. To check this, click the menu button in the top right corner of express (the 3 horizontal lines) and click 'Relaunch Chrome on the desktop' if available. If you see 'Relaunch Chrome in Windows 8 mode,' you are already in desktop mode.

Jason

0 Former Member over 10 years ago

Hi, thanks for your reply. I am running Chrome in desktop mode.

0 pshare over 10 years ago

I had a somewhat similar but more positive experience. I have a 305 like you which works fine with Express. However, I also have an old 301 that I decided to fire up for the first time in maybe 3 or 4 years. Express let me set it up no problem. Then I used it for an activity and in hooking it up to Express to sync, it didn't show it as being connected even though my PC kept telling me that it was.

Anyway, eventually, Express crashed and then gave me the same "if this persists contact Support" message every time I tried to run it. I rebooted my PC and lo and behold, my 301 synced. My advice: keep at it. Something will click somewhere.

0 EXPRESSCUSTOMERCARE over 10 years ago

jarek_mat

First, I just wanted to clear up something that I didn't even think about when I made my first response. Google Chrome no longer supports plugins like the Garmin Communicator plugin. We have more information about that here:
Why does Google Chrome no longer support the Garmin Communicator Plugin?

I also tested the download for Garmin Express in Google Chrome and had the same result so I will create a case for this. In the meantime, you can download Garmin Express directly here: http://download.garmin.com/omt/express/B/GarminExpressInstaller.exe

Jason

0 Former Member over 10 years ago

OK... Does the fact that the plugin is not any more supported mean that in order to view activities in endomondo i have to now manually export workouts from garmin connect and import it to endomondo from a file ??

As far as the Garmin Express is considered, I haven't really thought about reinstalling it... but followed your link, downloaded the installer, uninstalled the version on my laptop and successfully installed the new one. After starting GE I was actually able to add a new device (F305) and it seems to be connected now. Solution looks trivial, but... I have one question - when I tried to follow the download link from the Garmin Software webpage (https://software.garmin.com/en-US/express-download.html#win), there is following information:

Garmin Express
Your operating system is not supported.
System Requirements

Windows
Windows Vista SP2 or newer, Microsoft .NET 4.5 (included)
1024 x 768 display, USB port and 1 GB RAM
High speed Internet access (Not for use with dial-up, mobile or satellite connections) >>> I use now at home as the only source of internet access the LTE (4G) modem with router for wifi. Do I understand correctly that such setup IS NOT supported by Garmin?
May require up to 13 GB free disk space
Download for Windows

If that's OK I would like you to leave the thread open for few days more as I would like to verify it will work after I disconnect the device and add workouts...

0 EXPRESSCUSTOMERCARE over 10 years ago

jarek_mat

Are you still trying to download from chrome? I would try with a different browser. You can also try to download from the following link:
http://download.garmin.com/omt/express/B/GarminExpressInstaller.exe

Albert

0 Former Member over 10 years ago

@Albert: well actually I had absolutely no problem downloading GE from chrome. I had/have problem with connectivity though.

^^ so ... 3 days later, another workout and problem is ... back :) I mean - GE does not recognize the device (status: "not connected"), therefore I cannot sync and have no access to the workout' data. Device however appears to be connected properly, battery is charging... I'm lost and a bit fed up with this situation.
Could someone from the Support Group explain me by the way this note on the GE webpage about the internet connection (my last post, underlined)?

Thanks,
jarek

0 EXPRESSCUSTOMERCARE over 10 years ago

jarek_mat

To try and answer some of your previous questions:

- I'm not familiar with endomondo. The communicator plug-in is no longer supported in Google Chrome but you may be able to use Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox.

- The note about the supported connections for Express is in relation to server connectivity. It means that those connections may or may not experience difficulty when communicating with Garmin servers.

The issue that you're running in to with your Forerunner 305 may be related more to how Express is trying to communicate with the device over the USB connection. I would recommend contacting product support by phone for additional troubleshooting.

Anthony