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Nuvi 1300 Lost Identity File?

Former Member
Former Member over 11 years ago
A few weeks ago my 2 year old Nuvi 1300 stopped working. It said it had no map data of any kind on it, and when loading the main screen the place where the map info would pop up only showed a (C) copyright symbol and no info. The device powers up, all the menus work, etc but there's literally no map on it. I don't know what happened to it. It worked fine the last time I used it, I powered it off and stuck it in the console of the car, and the next time I went to use it nothing worked anymore. I finally got around to calling Garmin tech support today and I'm really disappointed with the answer I got from them. The Nuvi connects to my computer successfully, but Garmin Express won't recognize it. The guy at tech support had me read off all the various folders and files on the unit and told me that several key files/folders were missing including the device id file, which is why Garmin Express won't recognize it. He told me my only options were to send it in and pay $99 to have it repaired, or send it in and get a $99 credit towards another GPS. That seems crazy to me because for one thing the hardware is perfectly fine, and for another thing it's only a $159 GPS to start with! I asked him why he couldn't just send me the files that the device is missing so I could copy them onto it (since the computer recognizes it just fine as a flash drive) and he told me he couldn't.

Has anyone else ran into this before? I really can't just have the missing files put back on my device? I'm really disappointed with Garmin that my only options cost $100 when the only thing wrong with this GPS is that it somehow lost some of the files.
  • 0 over 11 years ago
    Guess you don't have a back up of your files then? I don't recall anyone having a Garmin that "somehow lost some of the files" without them doing something and accidentally deleteing the wrong files :)

    However even if you did have a back up from your description it sounds like the GarminDevice.xml file is missing from the Garmin folder. This should be created on boot up, if not something is wrong internally and Garmin are correct. Just check though ... Is that file there or not? If it is then post what folders/files you do have so we can see if it's possible to get it working again.
  • 0 over 11 years ago
    How much free space do you have on your 1300? The North America nuvi 1xxx series are notorious for running out of space and being unable to correctly create the GarminDevice.xml on boot up. This can cause some of the problems you describe. If your Garmin device is full with little or no free space, try to delete some unused voice files (do a full backup first!) , then reboot and see if it makes a difference.
  • 0 over 11 years ago
    ...I know it sounds suspicious but I've never even had this GPS hooked up to a computer before this.


    The 13xx and 14xx models had issues with the filesystem becoming corrupted without any user intervention (connection to a computer etc) with firmware v4.10 or thereabouts. I know that firsthand because it happened to me on a business trip (had to return the unit to Garmin). That was fixed years ago and the current 13xx/14xx firmware (v6.20) is quite stable.

    http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=4551

    I assume that you've never updated the firmware since you bought the unit.

    If I had another 1300 could I copy the necessary files from that?


    Yes but you have to know what to copy and what not. Some months ago I sent another user the files to resurrect his 1450. The 13xx and 14xx use the same firmware and files (for the most part). The trick however is getting your unit to at least boot and go into mass-storage mode (sounds like yours does and can). Another issue is that some files are very large (e.g. map IMG) and a device full backup is about 4.25GB.
  • 0 over 11 years ago
    In addition to "show hidden files", you need to uncheck "hide protected operating system files". Then you should be able to see all the files. GarminDevice.xml should be in the \Garmin folder. You should find a Voice folder that has all the voice language files. You should be able to identify the languages you don't use by file name and delete them. Yes, you delete them via your computer. But as I said, do a full backup first ... just in case. It seems like 174 MB should be enough free space for the GarminDevice.xml to be created, but it might still be worth a try to open up a little more space.
  • 0 over 11 years ago
    Agreed. Sounds very much as though there is a lack of space preventing GarminDevice.xml from being created. Also clear out any unnecessary EULA and vehicle files. There's more info on this here where it explains How to make more space for a map update

    Then reboot your nuvi and see what happens. If the GarminDevice.xml file isn't being created then you have an issue that only Garmin can resolve. If it is created then we should be able to offer further advice as what to do next.

    To create a full back up see here that explains How to backup your Nuvi