Dakota 20 won't power up

I have a brand new Dakota 20--Christmas present. Today it froze up on me first thing this morning. I changed batteries and after a few tries it fired up. Worked great all morning. Came home and synched with the computer. Later today, wouldn't fire-up. Same as other posts: The Garmin screen came on, then faded to nothing. I used WebUpdater to update software (see early post about holding power button while you connect the device to ensure detection by the computer). At the end of the update, it directed me to disconnect and allow the device to power up. I disconnected and it did nothing, so I hit the power button. It gave a message that said, "update verification 0%" and faded to black. Nothing. So I went through the same process of holding the power button to ensure detection while opening BaseCamp. Created a quick track and sent the track to the device. Once finished, I disconnected everything and powered up the GPS. It went through a process of updating software and now appears to be working fine. Have powered on and off a couple of times with no problems. Note: same as Jeff Williams above, the issue was not resolved until the track was transferred from the PC to the device. (How'd you ever figure that one out, Jeff? Way to go!)

Thanks JeffWilliams1968

JeffWilliams1968 is a genius...I got a Dakota 20 yesterday...it worked for 2 hours before I had power up issues...I found this forum and followed the advice using Web-updater, blah blah blah....everything was as the rest of you described...fades to blank screen, update 0%, etc. Once I followed Jeff's solution my gpsr started to work again. Thank-you for your post.:):)

Dakota 10 is dead....

I recently purchased a Dakota 10. I downloaded some Alaska maps and used it snowmachining on several occasions, and it was exactly what I wanted. I've kept it next to my long underwear while riding, except when I've needed to pull it out to retrace my route when I got separated from the group, which happened on my last ride when it worked.

Then, this past weekend, I had to find a pull-off on the highway to link up with a friend to get to his cabin. It didn't turn on. It didn't even try. I tried several sets of batteries, including several alkalines that were still in the plastic. Nothing. Stone cold dead. I saw the forums and tried the updates suggested on them, but since my GPS won't even power on, my computer can't locate the device.

I really like this unit, and I've taken good care of it, but I can't believe it's already dead. Hopefully you can help.

I have a Dakota 10 that I purchased Wednesday and used for geocaching all day on Saturday. I went to use it on Sunday and it wont power up. I replaced the batteries and it still won't power up. I did not download any maps or software on the device, I just used it straight out of the box. What should I do?

Had the same issue (Update verification status of 5% followed by screen going blank). Managed to resolve by i) downloading 2.4 via web updater and then ii) exporting a track from PC to Dakota 20. Note - the issue did not resolve itself until I had completed step 2. ie comparable experience to WMDPOWELL

Wow, identical problem, glad this thread was out here - nothing worked until I exported a track...Thanks Jeff....

Updated the unit with the Web updater

as that seems to be the suggestion for failing to power up.

I have had the Dakota 20 for four months or so.

It was not easy and took about half an hour for the computer to recognize the unit.

Now thats done and still the unit wont power up except that before the screen goes blank it says. Verifiying Update 0 Percent complete. Its been saying that for two hours..as it continues to shut down.

I took the micro card out BTW. Batteries are brand new.

Three weeks ago I bought my Dakota 20 and I have been using it for about 15 hours. I was extremly careful and stored it in my pocket so it didn't get wet or something. Today when I was testing my unit and shut it down and then turned it on again it was stone dead. I switched batteries but no. And there is either no connecting thru USB.

I have installed a 4GB SD-micro card. Users manual says that's alright.

IN case I pushed the power button too quickly or something. Is there some way to reset the GPS to factory settings?

/Mats

I've waited for a long time to buy me a handheld GPS. Finally I got the Dakota 20 at the REI Sale, last week. I was so excited - I hardly knew what I was about to go through.
I am not going to recapitulate here all the software hassle that I had to go through. I am a user interface designer and think I am pretty tech-savvy, but OH MY GOD. NOTHING is intuitive or well explained here.
The navigation in the device could be much better (and that's an extra chapter), but the software ordeal... is just unbelievable. Whay can't Garmin just use ONE piece of software to make all the magic happen? Why isn't there more info on the manual or online?
I could not install my 2 maps (kept on trying for hours), and after several attempts, I took it back to REI to return the product. There at REI a wonderful salesman told me to try a bigger SM card. NOWHERE in the device or in the innumerate software did I had a hint of that. Unbelievable.
I so much wanted to keep my idealization of a handheld GPS that I took the device back home after buying a 4G mini card.
I was planning to use it this memorial Day weekend, but I won't. WHY? The thing is DEAD, STONE DEAD.
I know, I read several forum entries about re-installing the software - but are you kidding? I know I am supposed to carry a map, but what if the thing went stone dead when I had all my routes kept in it? and why doesn't it say anywhere (but on a remote forum entry) that that happens because of a software installation problem?
That sucks big time and I am so upset and disappointed with this 'toy'... I am really sorry, because I expected so much more from it and from Garmin (I have a GPS for driving which is pretty decent, but it seems that the formula wasn't repeated in the handheld product). GARMIN should know that people that buy this kind of device are expecting something GOOD.

Had the same issue (Update verification status of 5% followed by screen going blank). Managed to resolve by i) downloading 2.4 via web updater and then ii) exporting a track from PC to Dakota 20. Note - the issue did not resolve itself until I had completed step 2. ie comparable experience to WMDPOWELL

Thanks Jeff! You are a life saver. I have a Dakota 10 that won't power up until I did the same thing that you suggested. It's now back to life. Just don't know if this trouble is one time deal or reoccur in the future. Wish Garmin can address this issue.

Note: Yeah you need to hold on the power button long enough for the PC to detect the device. You can let the power button go once the connected to PC logo come on to the Dakota screen.

Three weeks ago I bought my Dakota 20 and I have been using it for about 15 hours. I was extremly careful and stored it in my pocket so it didn't get wet or something. Today when I was testing my unit and shut it down and then turned it on again it was stone dead. I switched batteries but no. And there is either no connecting thru USB.

I have installed a 4GB SD-micro card. Users manual says that's alright.

IN case I pushed the power button too quickly or something. Is there some way to reset the GPS to factory settings?

/Mats

I have the same trouble, and can not recover by the ways of update.
for PC detect nothing when connected through USB.

Any other ways?

Very helpful

Had the same issue (Update verification status of 5% followed by screen going blank). Managed to resolve by i) downloading 2.4 via web updater and then ii) exporting a track from PC to Dakota 20. Note - the issue did not resolve itself until I had completed step 2. ie comparable experience to WMDPOWELL

Jeff: Your advice worked perfectly for me. I first tried to update the software directly from the Garmin website. I logged in and the site recognized my Dakota 20 that was attached via USB. The website identified a newer version of software for the device and claimed to have installed it. But it still didn't work. I then did a search for "Webupdater." I downloaded and installed that software and once again updated my Dakota 20 software to the device using Webupdater. Then I created a route in Basecamp and installed it on my Dakota 20 per your advice and the unit started right back up without a glitch.

I don't know if it has anything to do with why my problem emerged, but right before the device went "dead", I had set the alarm clock. The message on the screen told me that I had set the alarm and then asked if I wanted to proceed and turn off the Dakota 20. I pressed yes. Then, I could not restart my Dakota 20 until I ran through the options you described. Although my fears may be purely superstitious, I don't think I'll be setting the alarm clock again!