Montana 700i display frozen after display update

Today I’ve updated my Montana 700i via Garmin Express to firmware 6.30 and Display update (available in Express). After restarting, the display was stuck on “New software found. Continue installation?” : but when trying to go further, I cannot press either Yes or No. The display is not reacting, Tried to reset, reinstall firmware through WebUpdater (which is saying I’m on latest firmware 6.30 but when trying to reinstall is going with 5.30...)...nothing. Dead

Seeking help on Garmin site, I’ve ended up in chat with the tech support and the solution was to format the GARMIN in mass storage mode to FAT and then update the firmware in Garmin Express. Although curious at least (the solution) I did it and the result was as anticipated: nothing else on my Montana memory...empty. Now Express is not recognizing it, WebUpdater is getting constant failure at firmware reinstall and my Mac is only recognizing it after the usb cable remove, power off, power button pressed the after red led coming to life, usb cable in and... fingers crossed...

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0 DrKayak over 4 years ago

Does not sound fun. I was able to load 6.30 with no problems.

Does anyone have the details for what's in this update?

0 atlas_cached over 4 years ago

Wow, support actually told you to format the internal memory using your Mac???

I cant imagine....

I have heard of screen updates killing the touchscreen permanently, requiring the unit to be replaced.

Let us know if that is what happens. My bet is, that will be.

0 dan_a75 over 4 years ago in reply to DrKayak

it was the display update that caused the trouble not the firmware update

0 Diglips over 4 years ago

OK, I bravely plugged the 700i into my iMac. Got a pop up message from Express that there's new firmware. I proceeded with the Update and got a message that it failed. I closed the red message window in Express and it declared I was up to date with version 5.30. I ejected the 700i, closed Express, restarted the Mac, opened express. When I plugged the 700i back in it said I had new software. (the GPS, not Express) I clicked proceed and it loaded a "Touchscreen Update". The 700i seems the same: Maps, Tracks, Waypoints, Settings. The "About" icon in settings says I'm using Version 5.30. I'm so confused but it's working.

0 dan_a75 over 4 years ago in reply to Diglips

at least you have a working gps not a nice brick like I do

0 DHT42 over 4 years ago

I have exactly the same. Somehow managed with battery disconnect and USB mac computer connect to "software update" so now starts but NO TOUCH SCREEN.................Wait until Monday to contact Garmi??????? friday afternoon fails are BAD

0 dan_a75 over 4 years ago in reply to atlas_cached

I went today to my local Garmin dealership and they replaced my unit, no problem at all. Bad news is I have to wait till mid November to get the new one since no other unit on stock but on backorder. It seems there’s a lack of supply from Garmin...

At least I have the 66i to backup and as alternative...

+2 Garmin-Andrew over 4 years ago

We're really sorry you are experiencing this issue. If your Montana 700-series device will not boot or is unresponsive after receiving an update, please contact Product Support and we can provide steps to resolve this with a software fix which will be available soon.

0 atlas_cached over 4 years ago in reply to Garmin-Andrew

Sounds promising!

When my Montana 7x0 had the same issue, there was no software solution available.

0 dan_a75 over 4 years ago in reply to Garmin-Andrew

I don’t have the unit anymore, I have returned it to my Garmin dealer. Waiting for the new replacement after it’ll became available again.
It was really a pity because it worked flawlessly and I liked it very much! Hopefully, the new one will be spared from this experience...