700i Refuses to Boot or Forced USB

2093465 over 2 years ago

I have a brand new Montana 700i that was having issues connecting to Basecamp (it always showed up as a drive and not a device). I thought I would update the firmware so I downloaded an older version (6.20) and copied the gupdate.gcd to the Garmin directory on the device. It booted and asked if I wanted to update the software to an older version and I said yes. Since then the device will not boot. It shows the Garmin logo but then it goes off.

I have tried repeatedly to get into Forced USB Mode but neither of the techniques I have found worked. On forums I saw that you hold the power button until red and then connect USB within 8 seconds. On the Garmin site is says hold the power button, connect usb, wait up to 45s, once connected release power button.

Neither one works.

Any suggestions to unbrick my brand new device?

0 twolpert over 2 years ago

Not sure what you mean by "device". Chances are that the behavior is related to the interface setting. Setup > System > Advanced > Interface. MTP will get you a drive. One of the others, such as Garmin Spanner, will likely get you real-time GPS for the application. That said, I avoid Basecamp. Not sure how well, if at all, it supports the 7x0i.

Instructions for a hard reset on a Montana which will not boot: https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=rBN2xAZQtk3Wp0FvwL7Cd9&productID=699779&searchQuery=reset&tab=topics

Are you sure about the version of the f/w you installed? I can't even find 6.20. It would be incredibly out of date (2 years or more). Current version is 13.20. Downgrading that far back would be inadvisable.

Apparently, forced firmware update mode is an intermediate step in the full reset process described above. https://www.gpsrchive.com/Montana%207x0/index.htm

If all else fails, open a support ticket.

0 atlas_cached over 2 years ago

There was no 6.20 firmware for the Montana 7x0.

What did you load? Where did you get it?

Device may be bricked for good now.

You may be eligible for quickest bricking of a brand new device award!