Factory reset does not erase data

I have an odd problem where a factory reset does not erase all data. Actually, no data is erased. When I boot up the watch I expect to see default watch face, all my settings gone, etc., but no: for some reason, the watch shows time as being (last night) Monday, April 3rd at 19:50. My step count from Monday night is visible right on the watch face as well as my custom configured button shortcuts work. What does NOT work is starting an activity: when I press START, I only see "+ Add" (activity) and I'm basically stuck on this screen.

What I have tried:

shutting down and starting by holding down DOWN + BACK + START; releasing START after first beep, then the other two after the second beep (as instructed here)
when I'm able to access the watch setting, deleting all activities; deleting all user data; resetting to default settings; "Delete Data and Reset Settings"
using Android Transfer, erasing Activities folder; deleting GarminUpdate.xml (or similar), and several other folders or files
using A.T., deleting all maps except for "gmapbmap.img" and "gmaptz.img" as suggested in this thread

No method that I am aware of seems to erase everything.

0 ZacLionakis over 3 years ago

Same issue here, started yesterday, pages freeze, missing widgets. Tried three different reset types but none seems to erase. They all do but in a few mins everything appears again still the watch hangs

0 NemoSandman over 3 years ago

I got the same issue.
I have made a Factory reset and the Talky Toaster map I had installed previously was still there !!

0 ZacLionakis over 3 years ago in reply to NemoSandman

I am trying now to find an earlier software so as to downgrade. I have also emailed garmin support and waiting their response.

My concern is how the new version got installed since I never connected it to a pc neither i have enabled the automatic software update.....really strange

0 Dr Phil over 3 years ago in reply to ZacLionakis

There are several options to reset on the watch, the last of which is Delete Data and Reset Settings. Is this what you are referring to? In any case, a reset on the watch will not downgrade the software.

Instructions and software to revert to the last release can be found if you download 19.20 from the appropriate link lead post of this thread.

0 ZacLionakis over 3 years ago in reply to Dr Phil

thanks for your response. I have tried the three following resets:

1) within the watch reset menu (I tried all options even Delete Data and Reset Settings

2) With the watch turned off, turn on and press the back/lap button until the message prompts me to Reset to Default settings

3) With the watch turned off, turn on keep both the upper and lower right buttons, after first beep release the upper and after the second beep release the lower

In methods 1 & 2 the process finishes and when restarting nothing happens and nothing is erased

3 method works the watch restarts and prompts a new setup, it pops a new screen and after I enter the menu it automatically reverts back to the previous state (checking on the files one can see they are there although at start they were not!)

Also, it pops a storm alert every now and then, buttons freeze and even the round menu by holding the light button leaves only the power option (and this is not always as sometimes power also disappears and I get an empty screen)

0 tiketti over 3 years ago

The solution for me was to contact Garmin customer support and have the watch sent for replacement.

0 8557749 over 3 years ago in reply to ZacLionakis

did you get any solution?? my watch started the same thing today

0 rosta over 1 year ago in reply to 8557749

Solution ? Pleas.