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eTrex 20 will NOT connect to Mac in Mass Storage mode

Former Member
Former Member
Hi folks. Newbee Garmin handheld user here. I have a new etrex 20 that refuses to switch to Mass Storage (MS) mode.
I'm certain I'm at fault here, or at least generated a bad KMZ file and pushed it to the device using Basecamp for Mac. Once I pushed all my waypoints, tracks, routes and custom maps, I immediately got a message "Too many custom map images. They will not all be displayed."
Not worrying too much about it(since I could see the panels I needed for the moment), I proceeded to do an advised device update via Basecamp. During that process, I was prompted to disconnect the device and allow it to restart. Thus the beginning of no entry into MS mode.
I've performed the Hard Reset (Menu-Enter-Power On and respond to subsequent delete all data, English, etc., prompts) and removed all user data. I placed it outside for an hour to suck up as many sat connections as possible.
I'm just uncertain it reset the device to the factory defaults since nothing I do now will force, nudge or drag this baby into MS mode.

SO...after 8 hours of Garmin Support FAQs, Forum searches and trying every keystoke offered via the "interwebs" via Google, Bing, Yahoo!, etc. -and guessing I didn't phrase my search string on these boards just 'right'- I'm asking for your assistance.

Thanking you all in advance,
The Cpt.
  • You should be able to force it into mass storage mode as follows:

    Connect it to your PC or mac, power on with the joystick pressed up
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 12 years ago
    QUOTE=SUSSAMB;163644]You should be able to force it into mass storage mode as follows:
    Connect it to your PC or mac, power on with the joystick pressed up
    Nope. It just hangs at the Garmin logo splash screen. Thanks tho.

    I do notice that if I continue to hold the joystick up after it powers on and the logo appears, then release the power/lite button, after about 20 seconds or so the screen will flash off and back on very quickly. It continues to hang on that screen, however.
  • If that doesn't work the only other thing I can suggest is call Garmin CS.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 12 years ago
    Just got it two days ago from Best Buy. Taking it back for exchange. Need it this weekend to do an 'unofficial' survey of our property. IF the snows hold off, which isn't looking very likely!
    Thanks!
  • An even better solution :)
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 12 years ago
    And the mystery continues! BUT my replacement has successfully connected to my MacBook Pro (OS X v.10.8.2) and Basecamp can see it!! Yippee!
    Had to restart my Mac since it was beginning to crawl a bit. Restarted it and, on a whim, logged in as 'Guest'. Connected the etrex 20 and BOOM, went straight to Mass Storage mode.
    Here's where things get truly strange. Leaving the gps hooked up, I logged out as 'Guest' and back on with my normal profile. Still there! Yay!
    That's pointing me in the direction of some sort of corruption to my personal profile. May just migrate my apps to a 'clean' profile -without all the other garbage installed- and see how this plays out.
    Wish me luck!
  • I had the same issue, but ended up being the usb cable. But a new GPS never hurt anyone!
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 11 years ago
    I had the same problem, and a restart of the laptop did wonders.