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Garmin Express won't recognize Forerunner 15

Former Member over 9 years ago

I've updated Garmin Express but when I try to sync. it says my forerunner 15 isn't connected. I last synced on October 26th and haven't been able to sync since trying on Nov 24. ( I'm not sure if I did the last update on my Forerunner 15 when I last synced) My forerunner 15 does appear on my Mac as Garmin. I deleted it from Garmin express and Garmin connect and tried to sync again but it still doesn't recognize my device and now I am unable to even add it back as a device!! I've restarted my computer, deleted and re-installed Garmin Express...even tried a few older versions but nothing. It doesn't work on my kid's PC either...same problem. Help...I have about a month's worth of data that I haven't been able to sync. I've run accross some posts mentioning a .fit file...when I click on my device in finder I have these three files:
AUTORUN.INF
GARMIN
Id.txt

0 EXPRESSCUSTOMERCARE over 9 years ago

MsChy

I am sorry for the troubles. When adding a Forerunner 15 to Garmin Express, Express is looking for one specific file on the device. If this file is corrupt or non-existent then Express will not detect it. You mentioned the files you see in Finder when accessing the Garmin volume. You listed two actual files and one folder. Open the Garmin folder and look for a file called GarminDevice.xml. Throw the GarminDevice.xml file into the Trash then empty the Trash on the Mac. (important).

Once the Trash is empty, eject the Forerunner 15 and disconnect it. Allow the device to start up then connect it and try to add it to Express.

The device should recreate a valid GarminDevice.xml file in the Garmin folder allowing Express to detect it. If you continue to have troubles I suggest you contact Product Support by phone.

Curt

0 Former Member over 9 years ago

None of the files that I posted appear as an actual clickable folder. Garmin and autorun are both exec...(whatever that means) and the other is a txt file.

. Also when I save a run...nothing displays immediately after and the run history says" no history, go run" However the step data does display in the history and activity tracking has always been turned

0 Former Member over 9 years ago

Update: I managed to fix it myself. I just created a folder named garmin and changed the Garmin exec to garmin 1. I guess it's okay to delete it the garmin exec...correct?

0 EXPRESSCUSTOMERCARE over 9 years ago

MsChy

Good solution. By renaming the file and creating a replacement folder the device can now function normally because the Garmindevice.xml can be read and written to that folder. Deleting the old folder is an option (be sure to empty trash afterwards) but it will delete the month+ of data it contains.

I did some research and this kind of corruption can affect anything from Time Machine files to external hard drives. From what I read, this folder-turned-file may be accessible from a windows computer at which point you could possibly recover the data. Unfortunately this is not a Garmin specific problem and we are entering the realm of weird things Mac computers do. (and leaving the realm where we can provide support)

Hope this helps.

~Kenny