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Garmin Express won't upload Forerunner 305, but Garmin Connect classic will

I hadn't used the Garmin Connect site in a couple of years. I'm retiring my old 305 in favor of a new 920XT, and wanted to upload my recent runs. The 305 has about 250 activities on it.

I normally use SportTracks to download from the watch, and that continues to work successfully with the 305. Sometimes, it gives an error when I try to download the watch, but then it succeeds on the second or third try.

I downloaded Garmin Express and installed it on my Windows 8.1 system. It has no problem with the 920XT, which has only a couple of runs on it. With the 305, it gives a "working" icon (circular spinning arrows) for a bit, then throws up a red X and says "there was an error syncing with Garmin Connect". The watch makes its normal beeps during the download, so I know they're talking. It also doesn't matter whether the 920XT is also connected.

I saw the sticky posting about the retry button being removed from Garmin Express. The only retry option now seems to be closing Garmin Express and reopening. When I do this, the sync fails again the same way. I've tried this a number of times. I haven't found a log file or any Windows events that give more details about the problem.

I went to the new Garmin Connect site (connect.garmin.com) and saw there was a "switch to classic temporarily" option. That does take me back to the site I remember from 2013. From there the "Upload" button is able to download (confusing, eh?) the 305 just fine. I've tried it 3 or 4 times so far, and no errors.

Bottom line, using classic mode resolved my problem. I'll be using the 920XT going forward. It just seems weird that the new system can't handle something the old one did with no problem. (Not sure what it's problem is, either, although there's a 787 mile activity in there which I need to review...possibly the 305 got switched on mid-flight.)

The old 305 is actually a Garmin refurb which I got a little over two years ago. It replaced my original 305, which gave me 6 years of good service. Unfortunately, the refurb literally fell apart, and the contacts connecting the two halves got damaged. I've got it working enough to download by bending a couple of the contacts and holding the two halves together with a spring clamp. If Garmin support wants to experiment on this unit, please let me know.

0 EXPRESSCUSTOMERCARE over 9 years ago

PARSONSDAVE

I am sorry for the troubles. The Garmin Classic View is still available to upload from legacy devices. You will want to sign-in to Modern then click on the Profile icon on the left. Choose "Switch to Classic Temporarily". Under the notice to use Garmin Express there should be a section that identifies the connected fitness device and allows you to upload.

In regards to manually uploading files from the computer. The Forerunner 305 is not a mass storage device so if the activity file will not come off the watch there is no way to manually upload it. In the case of a corrupt activity, it should be deleted along with any activities that were successfully uploaded in the past. Delete uploaded activities older than 30 days from the History menu. In Express, files received from the watch are stored in a folder on the computer before they are uploaded to Connect. If you see an activity in the folder that does not show up in Connect, try to manually upload it.

To locate where the files are stored:

Press the Windows key + R
Type %ProgramData% in the box
Click OK
Open the Garmin folder
Open the CoreService folder
Open the Devices folder
Open the folder with the 10 digit Unit ID for your device (this can be found on the About screen on the device if there are multiple folders present)
Open the Sync folder
Open the FitnessHistory folder

Each file is named after the day it was created. Compare the files to the activities in Connect. Use the FAQ article below for instructions on manually uploading a missing activities.

How do I manually upload data from USB Mass Storage devices to Garmin Connect?

Once you have determined whether the activity can be uploaded, delete the contents of the FitnessHistory folder before the next sync.

If sync issues continue, the last resort is to Master Reset the 305. How do I perform a reset on my Forerunner 305, 205, 301, 201 or 101?

Please contact Garmin Product Support by phone if you continue to have troubles.

Curt

0 PARSONSDAVE over 9 years ago

Thing's come back to life! rolleyeseekconfused Don't know what I did in the end. I cleared every ride down off the unit. I then fired up Garmin Training Center for the first time in 2 years and it told me there were un-downloaded rides on the unit, would I like to dl them? I did that but then couldn't see any files after 2013. I then uninstalled Garmin Express, left it overnight.
Went for a fantastic ride off road on the Downs yesterday, used the Garmin as normal, and plugged in when I got home. Garmin Traning Center showed the ride and I then reinstalled Garmin Express and bingo, files uploaded. If it had got wet, maybe the water had dried out (yesterday was hot) or maybe clearing down all the files fixed it.

Just tried to search for Program data, coreservice and fitnesshistory, windows can't find any of them!

0 edechols over 9 years ago

F305 has quit uploding.

Like the others, my F305 charges and seems to connect, but Garmin Express beeps and stops without any data upload. This is despite it telling me that it has synced, but it hasn't. I was successfully, although with difficulty, uploading direct to Garmin connect using the upload button. But, that button now only directs me to the page that says to use Garmin Express. And Garmin Express is only misleading and useless.

With GarminConnect's upload button I would connect the F305 to the cradle. There is a pattern of audibles. After a few times you get used to the pattern and you know when it has failed. I close the browser, start it again and uncradle/re-cradle the F305. Usually it takes about 10 tries and I finally get it to upload. Sometimes 20. But, it usually, frustratingly, would upload and you'd let out a big sigh and go on. Not anymore. The browser sends me to Garmin Express and Garmin Express only lies about being synced.

Any suggestions?

0 EXPRESSCUSTOMERCARE over 9 years ago

edechols

As Curt mentioned above, on the upload page in Garmin Connect Classic, after the prompt to use Garmin Express, if you continue to scroll down, it should show the Forerunner 305 as connected and allow the upload. If you continue to experience problems, contact Product Support by phone.

Lisa

0 SILVERFOXII over 9 years ago

I have also been having exactly the same problem as original post. Contacted tech who sent standard reply. I'm thinking about a 910xt but want to down load data from May- Sept this year. I have a Garmin Swim which syncs no problem. Here's what happens
1 Open Garmin Express
2 Power up 305 and place on dock (I've tried both motherboard USB and a hub)
3 305 lists syncing but bar does not fill up at all then the red x and "There was an error...." is displayed
4 Switch to Classic, which always used to work. In fact I contacted technical some time ago asking why?
5 Click on "Upload"
6 This switches straight over to Analyze tag with the message:-
"We've redesigned connect to render some old Garmin devices useless...."
If I have a corrupt file causing the problem how can I find it?
I guess I could reset the device and loose last 6 months of workouts, but......

0 EXPRESSCUSTOMERCARE over 9 years ago

SILVERFOXII

While the devices are not .fit but .tcx, Garmin Express still copies them to the computer in the Sync folder. Use the information in our FAQ below to locate that folder and see if your files are there. They may or may not have a .tcx extension. If they do not, then you can add the .tcx extension by renaming the file and then try to manually import them. The second FAQ below outlines the manual upload process. You will navigate to the folder on the computer instead of the mass-storage device to select the file to upload. I recommend copying the folder to the desktop or other easily accessed location for the manual upload.

How do I remove FIT files that fail to sync in Garmin Express from my computer?
http://support.garmin.com/support/searchSupport/simpleCase.htm?caseId={b2320530-05f0-11e4-eaba-000000000000}&kbName=garmin

How do I manually upload data from USB Mass Storage devices to Garmin Connect?
http://support.garmin.com/support/searchSupport/simpleCase.htm?caseId={b16302a0-02ac-11de-515b-000000000000}&kbName=garmin

After the manual upload, all files should be deleted from the device and the computer to avoid any future activity corruption or errors in Garmin Express sync process.

Lisa

0 SILVERFOXII over 9 years ago

Thanks Lisa 305 now back up and running ok