Software Update interrupt may have bricked device

Hello all!

I was in the process of getting a brand new messenger activated through the account manager online. Once the unit got activated and paired, it prompted for a software update. In the midst of the update, the device got a hard reset. Since then, the screen will flash on and off without showing the logo but will not show the main menu. Charging it doesn't change anything and it doesn't show up as a connected device in GarminExpress. Any ideas? Or should I get an RMA and get another?

0 twolpert over 1 year ago

First, follow the hard reset instructions on the back of the device. If that does not work, open a support ticket. It may be that this can corrected without exchanging the device. (If support cannot help you, they can at least get you an RMA number.)

Most iR devices have a way to force the device into f/w update mode. However, I don't know how to do this on the messenger.

Edited to add: To try the following, be sure that Garmin Express is NOT running and is not configured to run when you plug in a Garmin device. Plug the Messenger into the (Windows) PC. The device should boot and prompt you to enter MTP mode. Respond YES. At that point, you should see the device in Windows Explorer. From there, you could drop a .gcd firmware update file into the Garmin directory on the device. Unplug, reboot, and the device should attempt to load the "new" firmware.

Usually, I get .gcd files from gpsrchive.com. For some reason, they don't have the .gcd files for Messenger. If you get as far as mounting the device via MTP, hopefully support can provide the firmware .gcd file.