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Garmin Express (Mac) - fails to download maps, error message

KansasMatthew
over 9 years ago
This is all on a MacBook Pro, wireless connection to my high speed router.

Brand new Nuvi 2689LMT. Brought it home last night and tried to update maps. I'll try again later tonight or tomorrow.

Connected to Garmin Express so I could update the maps. GE did recognize the Nuvi, and let me update various program files.

I then tried to update the map.

Garmin Express says "Preparing device for download", then goes into "Downloading maps" (I can't remember the exact words.)

The status bar displays, it starts to download and gives me an estimated time of 2+/- hours. After a few minutes, the bar is at 6% - 10%, the estimated time begins counting up into the hundreds of hours, eventually I get a message "Error downloading maps".

The symptom seems that the download is stopping, Garmin Express eventually reaches a timeout, then throws the error message.

Any ideas on where to look? I don't remember if I verified that Garmin Express is the latest version.

I have an older model Nuvi that this one is replacing, and I've never had map download problems in the past.
  • 0 over 9 years ago
    First I'd delete the device from Express, update Express and then try again.
  • 0 over 9 years ago
    KansasMatthew

    I am sorry you are having trouble downloading the map updates. Failing during the download portion means there is an issue with the connection to the server. When you see time suddenly jump up like that, it means the internet connection dropped. Usually, you will have to restart the update once that happens.

    Before you try the update again, please use the FAQ, "">What should I do if I am having problems downloading updates in Garmin Express?">What should I do if I am having problems downloading updates in Garmin Express?" to make sure the connection doesn't drop again. Particularly, I would make sure you are using a wired (Ethernet) connection instead of wireless.

    Let us know if we can help you further.

    Dave
  • 0 over 9 years ago
    Everything is the latest version, but I haven't connected hard-wire yet. I got to it too late tonight, and if it does work, it's around a 2 hr wait. Will try it later this week when I get more time.

    Is there any way that Garmin can break these files into multiple downloads so people without something like Google Fiber can get them reasonably?

    --

    I'm assuming there are there different map files for different Nuvi models? My old one, the Nuvi 205, never had a map download fail. The new 2698 hasn't has one NOT fail yet.
  • 0 over 9 years ago
    KansasMatthew

    To answer your question, the map is in a bunch of small pieces. Once the pieces are downloaded, they are put together into one file. (There are other files besides just the maps as well that differ depending on the device model.)

    You can leave the Garmin Express program running in the background and it actually does download these files slowly. When it is running in the background, you can see it in your computer's system tray. If you let it do this, it may get all the data before the next time you run the update. This can speed up the process because then it just needs to put the files together and send them to the device.

    Hopefully this information helps.

    Dave
  • 0 over 9 years ago
    Dave,

    Currently, I've been running Garmin Express and leaving it on in the foreground so I can see it working. It starts downloading, and gets to about 10% +/- very quickly (possibly because it's already downloaded some of the file pieces?). Then it stops, the estimated hours climb into the hundreds and it errors.

    When I get time, I'll try it again - both by minimizing Garmin Express to see what happens, and then by hardwire.

    Thanks.
  • 0 over 9 years ago
    No luck with Garmin Express running in the background.

    Tried connecting hard-wire, but I realized the MacBook Pro requires an adapter to go from Thunderbolt to Ethernet. Will have to buy that adapter and try again.

    My other PC that IS hardwired is running XP and Express won't run on it anymore. Is there a way to update maps and work around that problem?
  • 0 over 9 years ago
    KansasMatthew

    I have sent you a private message with the information you need because this is a Mac forum and I did not want to cause confusion.

    Let us know if you still have trouble.

    Dave