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eTrex Venture HC won't boot up

Former Member
Former Member over 15 years ago
I have a strange issue going on. When I power up my Venture HC, the Garmin logo displays, then two loading messages, but when it starts the Looking for Satellites process, the screen fades and it powers down. This occurs with fresh batteries as well as when it is plugged into the USB cable on the computer.

What makes it even stranger is that my friend has the exact same model - perhaps a few months newer than mine - and it is now doing the same thing. His will actually get a little further, finding the satellites and bringing up the map, but then fades within a minute. Again - this is with fresh batteries.

I used my unit within the last couple weeks with no problems, but now this has started.

Has anyone run into anything like this? Any suggestions?
  • 0 over 13 years ago
    I also experienced a bricked garmin etrex venture hc. I tried each of the methods found in this list and others. I have learned to never use the garmin webupdater, it is unreliable. Here's what worked for me: download the previous version 3.10 firmware from http://www.tramsoft.ch/gps/garmin_etrex-venture-hc-firmware-upgrades_en.html, extract to c:\garmin, plug in your gps via usb, hold the front 4-way rocker button in the down (or up, both seem to enable the usb connection to the pc) position throughout the entire update process, execute the updater.exe program and let it complete. You will see an error message at the end of the update process, ignore and let the garmin reboot and hopefully it should work again after that. I have been very dissapointed in this device since day one years ago and likely will never purchase any other garmin products in the future especially considering this latest fiasco. I was surprised to say the least, to find this problem is still plaguing customers after 3 years. Spending money to have support fix a problem they caused is complete BS.

    Yesterday evening I had the bad idea to update my etrex venture HC, but it lock on loader text.
    I've try both the sequence but nothing changed, still bricked.
    I've try both 3.1 and 3.3 form the website above, but nothing worked!
    please help me!
  • 0 over 13 years ago
    eTrex HC Update

    If you are having issues with an update or power issues as described you would want to run the WebUpdater program while the device is in "Boot Block". To do a boot block on these devices you need to hold the thumb stick in the 12 o'clock position and connect the USB cable. Push the power button and continue to hold the stick in the up position. Run the WebUpdater and the system should find the eTrex, search for and install the most recent update. It is imparitive that you continue to hold the 12 o'clock position on the eTrex during the entire update process or it will disconnect and the update will fail.

    Hope this helps!
  • 0 over 13 years ago
    Thanks ACESYMMETRIC but it didn't work as well..
    I've tryed more than one time but always still on white screen with loader write. I've tryed to hold the 12 o'clock position for at least 20 minut but nothing.
    I'm very angry that after more tha a year garmin doesn't whant to fix this bug :mad::mad:
    Now i have just a yellow brick on my desk
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 13 years ago
    Same issue....yellow brick

    Leaving next week for a trip to Canyonlands, so tried to update my Garmin using the WebUpdater. Uh Oh, yellow brick. I've tried all the tricks and techniques mentioned here with no luck. Unit is totally dead and unresponsive, except for an occasional, and random, flash of white screen.

    I don't have 14 days to wait on a repair, so it looks like it's on to a better designed unit (different manufacturer) for me. Too bad Garmin, this can't be that hard a fix.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 13 years ago
    Good afternoon. I have a Summit HC. I decided to update the software via vebupdater to version 3.30
    and now my browser will not display information on the screen, I tried to flash again but nothing does not help.
    sound from the keypad audible, adjustable backlighting but the screen does not display the information! please help
    serial number 16s068145
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 13 years ago
    FYI

    My Garmin Etrex Venture HC had the same problem that everyone has. It would show the Garmin logo and some text at the bottom, then shut off.

    I tried the WebUpdater as suggested by Garmin twice in this thread, while holding up on the directional stick until the white screen shows and says loader. Worked like a charm. The unit functions like new once again.


    Instructions:
    First download and install WebUpdater:

    PC: http://www8.garmin.com/software/WebU...indows_242.exe

    MAC: http://www8.garmin.com/software/WebU...ForMac_206.dmg

    After WebUpdater has been installed press Next for the WebUpdater to look for a device. With the device turned off, HOLD UP ON THE CLICK STICK, connect it to the computer, press the power button,CONTINUE HOLDING UP, click on Find Device. When WebUpdater finds the device click next and keep clicking next to update the software. WHEN THE DEVICE SAYS LOADER RELEASE THE CLICKSTICK.
  • 0 over 13 years ago
    FYI

    My Garmin Etrex Venture HC had the same problem that everyone has. It would show the Garmin logo and some text at the bottom, then shut off.

    I tried the WebUpdater as suggested by Garmin twice in this thread, while holding up on the directional stick until the white screen shows and says loader. Worked like a charm. The unit functions like new once again.


    Instructions:
    First download and install WebUpdater:

    PC: http://www8.garmin.com/software/WebU...indows_242.exe

    MAC: http://www8.garmin.com/software/WebU...ForMac_206.dmg

    After WebUpdater has been installed press Next for the WebUpdater to look for a device. With the device turned off, HOLD UP ON THE CLICK STICK, connect it to the computer, press the power button,CONTINUE HOLDING UP, click on Find Device. When WebUpdater finds the device click next and keep clicking next to update the software. WHEN THE DEVICE SAYS LOADER RELEASE THE CLICKSTICK.

    It's seems to be madness, but man, you're my rescuer!!
    Now my yellow brick isn't anymore a yellow brick but again a fully working etrex venture HC :D:D

    For all:
    on mac, i've disinstalled the garmin updater, download it from garmin site, then excecute the procedure as described by DAVIDGSFEI but you have to release the clickstick not at the first time you see loader on the screen, but after the screen became black and the the "loader" word came back to the display.
    I hope this will help all of you guys!
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 13 years ago
    software Venture HC 3.50
    pas: offroad81
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 13 years ago
    software Venture HC 3.50
    pas: offroad81


    Who would even say thank you))) or not work?
  • 0 over 13 years ago
    Who would even say thank you))) or not work?


    I don't risk anymore, sorry, i need my device fully working and i prefer not to apply your update ;)